Building Strong Library Associations training package
Module structure
The intention of the modules is to cover a wide range of topics from starting a library association, to sustainability and advocacy. Each module contains a series of topics, learning objectives, case studies, and opportunities for self-assessment. Each module can be customised for different social, language and political situations, and to meet the skill of different library associations. Library associations can use as much or as little of the training package as they need - they do not need to participate in all modules, they can be taken individually and in any order. A summary of the content for each module is presented below.
Library Associations in Society: An overview
The aim of this module is to provide the context for the role that library associations can play in society and what makes a successful library association. This module provides references to internationally approved documents, statements and manifestos, drawn mainly from the United Nations, UNESCO and IFLA.
Building Your Library Association
The aim of this module is to describe the basic components of a typical library association and discuss what needs to be put in place in order to establish and operate a successful association. This module uses practical references drawn from IFLA Management of Library Associations Section (MLAS) and other sources.
Sustaining your Library Association
This module is aimed at developing strategies for the long-term operation and sustainability of your library association. It offers ideas about the different functions and activities that can be undertaken by your association to ensure its long-term viability. Many of these functions and activities are covered from a different perspective in other modules in relation to their particular theme - for example, planning as a tool to establish a library association in Module 2 or coalition building as part of advocacy in Module 5. This module explores the way in which these factors contribute to the sustainability of your association, noting that the development of functions and strategies should always take into consideration the environment and the circumstances of your association. Examples used come from the experiences of a diverse range of library associations.
Developing Strategic Relationships: Partnerships and Fundraising
The aim of this module is to explore the need for library associations to build relationships with the wider community for both fundraising and developing and maintaining strategic partnerships. The module examines the use of marketing strategies to build an association's visibility and profile which in turn lead to improved capability for fundraising and partnership building. The module draws on several tools for fundraising and relationship building and uses examples from a variety of library associations. Fundraising protocols and contexts for partnership building will vary from country to country and some customisation may be necessary for in-country delivery.
Libraries on the Agenda
This module focuses on the role of the library association and libraries in the broader society with particular reference to functions in advocating, educating and campaigning for the increased importance of libraries in the information society. It draws on several tools for advocacy that have been developed by different library associations, although the module needs to tailor these toolkits to the circumstances of the association concerned. There are a variety of political contexts within which advocacy operates, and these need to be adapted on a country-by-country basis.
Statistics for Library Associations
This module was designed by a working group of IFLA's Statistics and Evaluation Section.
Whenever we communicate with politicians, funding bodies or library stakeholders: if we want to put our libraries on the agenda, we need numbers, statistics and evidence to prove our point and underline our arguments. Advocacy and lobbying are not possible without relevant data to assist us. This is the reason why statistics are a vital issue for library associations and libraries who want to influence political processes in their country or on an international level.
Last update: 31 March 2010