International librarianship: opportunities for collaboration in a networked world

Buhle Mbambo-Thata, DPHIL UNISA Library Pretoria

Outline of presentation
Introduction Definitions Internationalised spaces Opportunities for IL Trends in IL Challenges My explorations Conclusion

Introduction-evolution of libraries

Introduction 21st century library spaces

Definitions

Definitions of international librarianship

Not yet in Wikipedia!

WorldShare.earth_books.jpg

Definitions of international librarianship

Harvey (1973) dealing with library matters in international bodies Jackson (1981) those activities that involve librarianship and all its aspects across national boundaries Lor (2008) components of IL exotism, philanthropy, national influence, international understanding, internationalism, co-operation, innovation advancing knowledge, self-understanding More (2010) .. working collaboratively across geopolitical boundaries to advance key elements of our profession.

Components of international librarianship

Work across borders Beyond organisation to ideas across boundaries Equal partners Exchanges Mutually beneficially Greater good

What is it is not....
Charity, book donations, cultural exports Book clubs ...... international employment across borders library?

Internationalised library spaces

Networked worlds
Cloud computing

Local grown international

OCLC ALA LIASA
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Digital content
Open access

Internationalised spaces (continued)

Some can only operate in such spaces effectively
Social media effect-Bradley

Is there a difference?
International librarianship is what set out to be international Internationalised is either one that becomes or its very method of operation knows no boundaries Is there a difference?

opportunities

Opportunities for IL
Standards Governance
TLIB

Advocacy Research Best practices Legitimate global voice

Current trends
IFLAs Trend report GLAs Library of the future Leadership programmes Libraries in development Digital citizenship
content inclusion

challenges

Challenges
Are these spaces really meetings of equals? Digital exclusion
Digital literacy Undigital content

Mindsets of library communities

My explorations and research

To my explorations and research

Set in international librarianship
What are the leadership issues in current research? What are the emerging issues? What ought to be? What are the gender issues?

Constraints
Asking questions of concluded research Not scientific, seeking solutions for relevance and succession Time

What is emerging?
Issues beyond one nation National difference but not regional Divergent views Innovation
Not too obvious leaders to step back

Conclusion

Is there an alternative? Local versus global Collaboration scale Kgetsie ya tsie... International Librarianship working together for a greater good.

Thank you for your attention!.