The INCITE in Conversation webinar series, organised by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), invites one or several of the authors from the most recent edition of INCITE magazine to talk about the topics covered in their articles.

The session in November 2023 featured Claire Stuckey, Children’s Literacy Specialist, ALIA, and Huey Bin Heng, Principal Librarian (Children & Teens) from the National Library Board, Singapore. Focusing on topics drawn from Claire’s article ‘A Tale of Two Libraries’ in the September 2023 INCITE magazine, they shared their experiences working in the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Libraries for Children and Young Adults Section as well as their latest projects for the Section i.e. The World Through Picture Books (WTPB), and Guidelines Infographic.

WTPB, currently in its 3rd edition, is a programme of the IFLA Libraries for Children and Young Adults Section in collaboration with the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). It is a curation of picture books recommended by librarians from around the world and serves as a means to celebrate and promote languages, cultures and quality of children’s literature published globally. More information on the WTPB programme as well as a catalogue of books featured can be found in this link.

 

Favourite picture books from 57 countries

The Section’s IFLA Guidelines for Library Services to Children aged 0-18 aims to provide up-to-date knowledge and professional insight for library and information professionals who strategically plan or deliver children’s library services and programmes. The complete Guidelines can be accessed here. In addition to the complete Guidelines, the Section has created bite-sized infographics on the Guidelines which are currently available in English and Spanish. The Guidelines infographic will soon be available in another six languages.

Guidelines Infographic (in English and Spanish)

Insights into hosting of the Asian Festival of Children’s Content at the National Library of Singapore were also shared during the session. The session ended with a further introduction to the new Punggol Regional Library, its services and programmes for children and teens as well as upcoming collaborations at the library.


Contributed by Heng Huey Bin, Principal Librarian (Children & Teens), National Library Board, Singapore