Action Plan 2021-2022

Activity: Guidelines for Services with Indigenous Peoples

Scope

This multi-year project will develop a set of guidelines for developing and sustaining library services with Indigenous peoples in an international context.

Description

A set of guidelines for library services with Indigenous peoples is needed to ensure Indigenous peoples are not subject to exploitation, marginalised, or disadvantaged within their homeland with regards to library facilities, services, policies, and practices.

Activity: UNESCO Decade of Indigenous Languages

Description

The UNESCO Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032) prioritizes the empowerment of Indigenous language users. Libraries and other sites of knowledge and learning can and should play an important role in supporting and promoting the empowerment of Indigenous language users. The Decade of Indigenous Languages is highly linked to documents such as UNDRIP which call for the recognition of the rights of Indigenous people to self-determination. The strategic recommendations for the Decade of Indigenous Languages include such tenets as freedom of expression, access to education in the mother tongue, and the right to public life in native languages. The Section is highly committed to promoting and protecting Indigenous languages. This activity is a three-year project that will focus on building strategic goals that connect the activities of the Section in relation to Indigenous language to all of IFLA, as well as to outside groups, in a holistic fashion.

Activity: Relationships and Connections

Description

This multi-year activity is focused on strengthening the Committee’s relationships and connections, as well as those of other groups and individuals dedicated to Indigenous issues. Activities in this area are multipronged and include projects that enhance our relationships with the International Indigenous Librarians Forum and other Indigenous-specific associations, establish relationships with other international and regional groups, foster connections through the creation of spaces for gathering together, and improve communication about the Committee and its endeavors. Three-year project

 Informal gatherings

Description

This multi-year activity brings people, who have an interest in Indigenous issues, together. Intended to mimic “kitchen table” conversations or talk stories, these gatherings are meant to exchange information as well as to support and sustain each other. It will not be restricted to library professionals and groups. Depending on the needs of participants, this could include interactive workshops or learning gatherings (as opposed to panel presentations). Some of the gatherings would center on other activities of this Committee (i.e., Indigenous Languages, LIS Curriculum, Guidelines). Some of these gatherings could also lead to individuals/groups/libraries being featured in the Committee’s blog or videos.

Communication and Outreach Plan

This activity ensures that information about the Committee and its activities are readily available

Strengthen Connections to International, Regional Associations, IFLA and IFLA Sections

Description

Look for opportunities to work with other sections with intersecting interests. This could include collaborations on informal gatherings, co-presenting at conferences, and working with the Law Library section.

Strengthen relationship with International Indigenous Librarians’ Forum (IILF) and other international and regional associations and professional bodies. Promote ourselves and communicate what we are doing and strengthen connections with ALA, AILA, IILF, NIKLA and others.

Activity: Teachings: LIS & Indigenous Librarianship

Description

This activity creates spaces for MLIS educators and others to discuss the curriculum for Indigenous librarianship with the goal of informing MLIS, Masters of Information, and other professional development programs. Inspire and enhance professional practice by making Indigenous matters part of best practice/program outcomes in all LIS programs.

Activity: Serials Librarian special issue

Description

  • Subscription but we could ensure content is openly available
  • The Section would organize the content. The Journal would provide admin and support
  • Satellite meeting could become part of the special issue
  • Things to consider: expectations, workload, finding peer-reviewers.
  • Also offering a recurring column
  • Considerations: accessibility and audience.

Potential Other Projects

Broad Category: Relationships: Strengthen relationships

IFLA Strategic Direction: Strengthen the Global Voice of Libraries

We listen to and understand the priorities of the whole field, and amplify the message through advocating for libraries and their values on a global and regional level. We speak with insight, confidence and authority on relevant policies, ensuring that libraries are recognised and supported as critical community assets essential to achieving development agendas. We build a strong presence in international organisations and meetings as a valued partner.

Strategic Direction 3. Connect and Empower the Field

Strategic Direction 4. Optimise our Organisation

·      Remember that we are holistic, not just about libraries

·      Promote ourselves and communicate what we are doing

·      Connections with ALA, AILA, IILF, NIKLA

·      Using diverse groups in Africa; a new paradigm of librarianship

·      Working with IFLA on Intellectual Property / Knowledge Rights (relate to UNDRIP and the UN Sustainable Development Goals)

UNESCO Decade of Indigenous Languages

  • Working with other associations (incl non-library-related), libraries, etc. working with indigenous languages
  • Exemplare projects

Education/Teachings: Curriculum/Professional Development

IFLA Strategic Direction 2: Inspire and Enhance Professional Practice

We inspire the profession through future thinking and by encouraging new and promising approaches. We drive the development of libraries through standards, guidelines and best practices. We provide the tools and resources necessary to foster community, facilitate shared action, and support innovative programs and actions. We work to safeguard, strengthen and elevate the world’s cultural heritage in all of its diverse forms, including traditional, historical, indigenous and contemporary expression.