Purpose

The purpose of this Convening is to develop the leadership and agree the actions, priorities and next steps necessary to enable the newly established Pacific Libraries Network to thrive and achieve the goals articulated in its Statement of Intent.

Background

The Pacific Libraries Summit held in Suva in May/June 2018 brought together the INELI Oceania innovators together with library practitioners, decision makers and enablers across the Pacific. Its purpose was to raise awareness of how libraries can support the Sustainable Development Goals and consider how to strengthen the impact of Pacific libraries to better support the needs of communities through collaboration, networking and advocacy.  It was the first ever convening of its type in the Pacific and the first time that participants had been asked to consider the possibilities and benefits of working together to achieve mutual goals across the region. During the Summit a Statement of Intent (SOI) was developed and endorsed by all present. Many of the goals outlined in the SOI require a collaborative region-wide response. There was no time at the 2 day Summit to decide how the Statement of Intent could be progressed at a regional level, how local initiatives and resources could be shared, or who should be involved.

This invitation only Convening is the next step, to bring together a group of leaders able to lead and enable the aspiration of the SOI and harness the energy and commitment arising from the Summit. 

SOURCE: Public Libraries Network