The Goethe-Institut Programme with IFLA
Emerging International Voices

A ground for reconciliation

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. 

The Library, a Safe Space?

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. 

Librarians for the future: what happens next?

"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. 

WLIC 2021 - Library Futures

#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. 

Creativity in the virtual world

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. 

World Integration: the #WLIC2021 Experience

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. 

From Vision to Mission: Free Libraries, Digital Libraries, Together

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.  

Promoting digital skills in the library field
It’s a wonderful digital life

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.

Staying relevant in times of crisis
The Same Question on All Minds: What Awaits Libraries?

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.

On the importance of forging alliances
If you want to go far, go together

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.

Openness, accessibility, community
For the love of libraries

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.

Connecting libraries
Together we can save the world of knowledge

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.

Challenges for (digital) libraries in the Philippines
Finding balance between digital and physical

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.

A caricature
Digital or no digital, where is the library?

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?

Push-pull strategies in digital libraries
Crossing the threshold

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.

Digital tools and users' reactions
Digitalisation helps libraries extend their borders

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.

Libraries facing new challenges
The most frequented cultural institutions in Germany

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.

Reflecting new approaches
Moving forward

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.

Libraries for the democratisation of societies
Digital services? Yes, but I’m not going alone

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.

The power of collaboration
Libraries’ joint efforts to face the COVID-19 pandemic in Bolivia

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

Best practice tips from Russia
Regular Library Online: Three Strategies for Success

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.

Increasing members’ opportunities
Libraries and Thinking

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.

Power to the public
Having our users at heart in ever-changing times

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.

Impact on library users’ wellbeing
The loss of ‘sense and sensibility’ in an age of Covid-19 and digital libraries

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 Future of Digital Libraries
One Platform, many motivations

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.

All in the same boat
New ideas, new questions, but more importantly: a whole new network

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.

Libraries, communities and partnership
Distribution of knowledge instead of competition

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?

Memory and digital culture
Imagining the past

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.

Interview Session
Experience Sharing

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

Lisbon, Portugal
Rita Aleixo

A young librarian passionate about rare and old books, and excited to learn more about the digital world.  

Bremen, Germany
Catharina Boss

Bremen based librarian keen on thinking outside the box.

Ankara, Turkey
Nilay Cevher

A research assistant and a PhD candidate working at the Department of Information Management at Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey 

London, UK
Rachael Culley

Curates collections and digital content in the library and cultural sector. Passionate about literature in the Americas, dance and musical theatre, and all-things bibliophilic. 

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ejla Ćurovac

An information science enthusiast who spreads a love of books. 

Iloilo City, Philippines
Allana S. Delgado

Librarian and writer passionate about learning new things and dreams of exploring the world.

Israel
Rana Hay Yahia

A reflective librarian.

Mexico City, Mexico
ALEJANDRA QUIROZ HERNÁNDEZ

Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation
Daria Klenova

A librarian working to see the results.

Munich, Germany
Nicole Klug

A Munich-based librarian who loves discovering new grounds in the digital and physical world.

Bangalore, India
Geetha M

An accident prone with spurt of new ideas that I try to implement in field of learning and understanding. 

Beniarbeig, Valencia, Spain
Pau Banyó Magraner

A Valencian rural librarian who believe the libraries are more than books. 

Abuja, Nigeria
Damilare Oyedele

A Library Advocate and Librarypreneur harnessing advocacy and also support for the resuscitation of libraries in schools and communities in Africa, working from Nigeria with Library Aid Africa.
 

La Paz, Bolivia
Ramiro Rico

A librarian from old books to a futuristic vision.

Moscow, Russia
Ilya Rogovenko

Head of the project office in a library system in Moscow with advanced digital and creative skills. 

New Delhi, India
Simpy Sharma

A college student in New Delhi, India, connected with the free library movement as astudent-leader of The Community Library Project.

Riga, Latvia
Zane Siliņa

I’m an art educator currently using library as my playground.  

London, United Kingdom
Naomi Smith

An unconventional Librarian and Library and Information Studies Student who hopes to use the knowledge gained from an MA degree in Race and Resistance within the Library Sector.   

Jakarta, Indonesia
Madiareni Sulaiman

A research data librarian,from Archipelago Country (Indonesia), with her glasses on to see dynamic data.

Brussels, Belgium
Lizet van de Kamp

A social addict with a love for striped shirts, photography and anything with a good story. 

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Leno Veras

A Brazilian curator interested in developing knowledge networks as platforms for cultural and scientific exchange.

Kecskemét, Hungary
Barnabas Virag

A choir leader and music librarian from Kodály Zoltán’s city, Kecskemét. 

Digital Libraries in Portugal
The digital yellow brick road: Portuguese libraries’ journey

The Portuguese National Library was the pioneer of digital libraries in Portugal. In less than two decades, its digital library evolved from a small digital collection to a large network and content aggregator - setting the standard for other libraries in the country.

Digital Libraries in Turkey
Who wants to talk to the grumpy librarian?

Libraries in Turkey have an image problem. Nilay Cevher reflects on the current situation of literacy, reading and libaries in her country - and looks at what needs to be improved.

Digital Libraries in Germany
There is a huge hidden potential right before our eyes

German libraries offer a great variaty of digital services, but there is still potential to reach out to broader communities.

Digital Libraries in the UK
Keeping the library ‘digitally open’

Rachael Culley gives a behind-the-scenes tour of the social media strategy of the British Library and tells what the most important learnings from the content production during the lockdown were.

Digital Libraries in Bosnia and Herzegovina
A library without a librarian it is worthless

Libraries have always been extremely important for every community because they are centres of information, culture, and education, and in them we always have access to relevant, recent and verified data. The most important person in all of this is the librarian.

Digital Libraries in the Philippines
The library’s core roles remain constant

In the pandemic the digital services has proven as the library’s lifeline, the principal way to reach out to the community and help them with their needs.

Digital libraries in Israel
"It's not about the books, it's about communicating"

Much improvisation was needed when her library shot its doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Rana Haj Yahia on difficult programmes, grateful vistitors and the importance of listening to customers' needs.

Digital Libraries in Mexico
No roots for digital libraries in Mexico

In the political discourse of Mexico, it is constantly said that there is interest in creating a digital offer in various areas. However, it has been difficult for projects to endure, either due to lack of budget, vision or follow-up. The cultural issue is no exception

Digital Libraries in Russia
Increasing importance of social media tools

For years digital services took a very humble place among other types of library services. During the COVID-19 crisis the role of digital offerings has become significantly more important. Nowadays most of the libraries in Russia, no matter how small they are, use technology to improve services for customers.

Digital Libraries in Germany
Libraries are essential to the recovery of the community

When we speak of digital services for libraries, we cannot expect everyone working in a public library to know what is meant. There are so many ways for libraries to develop their individual digital portfolios that it is all too easy to lose sight of the needs of the communities they serve.

Digital Libraries in India
Bridging the digital divide

In India, where top 10% of the population holds 77% of the wealth and close to 80% of the population live in extreme poverty due to lack of access to educational and employment opportunities, the digital divide is only increasing this gap. Access to digital libraries is vital in bridging this divide.

Digital Libraries in Spain
New opportunities, new challenges

The digital library landscape in Spain varies widely, reports Pau Bañó Magraner. In recent years, he observed an opening of libraries to the platforms already used by the users – leading to  new opportunities but also challenges for librarians.

Digital Libraries in Nigeria
Infrastructure, flexibility, user-friendliness and accessibility

Damilare Oyedele tells a personal story of libraries transforming the human mind and shows how digital ressources can reach more users.

Digital Libraries in Bolivia
Jumping into the digital world

Bolivia has been in a state of crisis for a long time before the COVID-19 pandemic. Sadly, it could be said that Bolivia has been in crisis since the beginning of its existence. Libraries have fought this crisis and worked to make a better society, but if librarians are unable to go to their workplaces to organise and share information (in relation to both the pandemic and the social crisis), what can they do? 

Digital Libraries in Russia
Storytelling, poetry and hand washing

Russian libraries were very creative in the lockdown period. What can other libraries learn from the best practice examples?

Digital Libraries in India
Helping the community through difficult times

Closed colleges, closed schools, closed libraries. In times of Corona digital libraries are needed more than ever. Not only do they provide food for the minds of the young, they also help libraries stay connected with their members. But there are not only advantages.

Digital Libraries in Latvia
The old, the new and the unknown

In the course of the pandemic, newly created and existing offers were made accessible to the library customers. But one of the biggest challenges remains making these offers known.

Digital Libraries in UK
Digital divide between academic and public libraries

The accesibility of digital services is a question of budget and priorities. What strategies do academic and public libraries in the UK adopt?

Digital Libraries in Indonesia
Supporting open data and open government

How can specialist libraries transform themselves in order to serve the communities better? On the importance of open data and making information available.

Digital Libraries in Belgium
Break the digital landscape free from borders

The lockdown in Brussels has been an accelerator of change towards digital services for libraries. But how to bring that typical library experience into people's homes through a screen?

Digital Libraries in Hungary
Building on the natural curiosity of people

Katona József Library offers a wide range of digital services: knowledge repositories, portals with digital collections, maps and walks. How can these help to retain readers?

Digital Libraries in Brasil
GLAM, data and importance of the dialogue

Digital transformation, besides being a phenomenon of prime importance in the reconfiguration of social dynamics in the twenty-first century, has had a significant impact on the field of cultural heritage. Digital technologies have enabled the expansion of access to cultural collections, as well as bringing challenges related to the excess of content and the transience of some of this content.