The Goethe-Institut Programme with IFLA
Emerging International Voices

How can libraries and librarians counter sentiments of social dissatisfaction leading to human conflicts? Looking at a diverse set of issues, including LGBTQ* rights, disability, climate change, and multi-culturalism, Alejandra Quiroz Hernández argues that libraries can inhabit an instrumental role in shaping public debate and social cohesion. 

Libraries are the home of fictions that tell of endless opportunities for self-realization. The institution and the professionals within inspire, sustain, and enable. At least, this is the predominant idea associated with libraries. But are libraries truly safe spaces? And how do perspectives change internationally, Catharina Boss questions. 

"The virtual get-together with global library communities through IFLA WLIC 2021 taught me that empathy is the best foundation for librarians", Madiareni Sulaiman writes in her report on big data, and how institutions can maximize users' positive experience with their libraries. 

#WLIC2021! Nilay Cevher focusses in her report on the session "Library Futures", which imagined possible futures for information institutions, and how professionals might best respond to the challenges such futures bring. 

What role do libraries have in the age of (mis)information? An important one, Ejla Ćurovac argues. Her takeaway from the WLIC 2021: Information professionals must support each other in these difficult times, because collaboration is key to overcoming everyday obstacles and finding solutions, for libraries, librarians and users. 

The World Library and Information Congress (WLIC), hosted by the International Federation of Libraries and Library Associations (IFLA), is the most important encounter between librarians across the world. Ramiro Rico reports of new challenges, perspectives and opportunities for collaboration. 

What does the concept of a digital library mean for the free library movement? What impact will emerging technologies have on library work? Reviewing her #WLIC2021 experience, Simpy Sharma takes a closer look at the libraries of the future.  

Notwithstanding the advanced development of digital libraries and services in Portugal, as mentioned in the previous article, there are still many ways in which we can develop and improve our work.

Libraries managed to maintain their importance during the period of digital transformation. But some has had it easier than others, when tackling new challenges during the pandemic. And one big challenge is still ahead of them.

There is an African proverb that says: ‘If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ Emerging International Voices proved this.

As I sit writing this end report, balancing my 7-week old baby on my stomach and trying to remind myself how to touch type, it’s impossible to reflect back on the Emerging International Voices (EIV) seminars from October without having my son in my mind.

The most important thing in today’s world is to be connected, and only in that way can libraries overcome the difficulties that they encountered during the pandemic.

Digital libraries have been put in the spotlight during this pandemic. Offering digital services may sound simple, but is in fact very complicated due to the reality of bad internet connectivity and difficult accessibility. And there are even more difficulties.

Everyday difficulties with juggling different priorities at work can make thinking about future libraries challenging. How to find the right balance between resources, platforms and users' needs?

Too pushy? Sometimes libaries seem to push too hard to get attention. To consolidate communities around digital libraries, push-pull strategies should be considered when developing content of value for audiences.

During the 2020 crisis libraries have had a chance to become an entry point to the digital world for many service users. Digital technologies can give libraries a distinguished role in the life of modern society.

Digitisation poses challenges for all libraries - and even more so for those in small towns and rural areas. But there are ways to meet these challenges.

The COVID-19 pandemic has left people all over the world in fear, confusion and isolation. Individuals and organisations were faced with uncertainty and a lack of direction. At our small community library, we were unsure about how best to move forward.

Shared, victory tastes sweeter and defeat is less bitter. Digital services are a challenge, and although not being alone does not diminish the challenge, it does increase the resources with which to face it.

Libraries have faced multiple troubles throughout history. Despite these obstacles, librarians always find a way to make a better world for their patrons.

How can a regular library achieve success online? What to do if there are no resources or audience on social networks? Three simple strategies for working with libraries online and a small bonus about charisma.

It was a big step for a community library in New Delhi to build a digital library during the lockdown. This global platform highlighted the potential of what digital libraries can accomplish, provided they are accessible.

Our current reality will shape the way libraries work in the future, but no matter which way we go, as long as we keep our users in mind, it will be the right way.

While more and more digital libraries emerge, the emotional needs of library patrons and staff cannot be met as they were before Covid-19. Personal reflections on the pandemic, digital libraries and mental health.

 

The digital shift around libraries provides an opportunity for information professionals to explore the provision of better services. This enables us to engage in a futuristic vision of how one platform could support many users with diverse motivations.

How do you move on from a programme that kept your mind buzzing with new ideas and provoked so many new questions? Lizet van de Kamp reflects on her biggest takeaways from Emerging International Voices.

How to make digital libraries accessible for everybody? How can an online community be formed? And how cooperating can make these big questions more feasible?

The current willingness to recover old traditions is demonstrated by the way in which the Art of Memory is applied to digital culture. In mixed media installations that explore the relationship between science and art, content may be correlated with schematic spatial representations, through the use of structured mental models.

Madiarei Sulaiman interviews Damilare Oyedele on his work with Library Aid Africa and learnings from the Emerging International Voices programme.