Transformation strategies in community engagement

IFLA Journal ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zawiyah Baba ◽  
A. Abrizah
Keyword(s):  
Community Engagement ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Community Outreach ◽  
Library Science ◽  
Community Wellbeing ◽  
Outreach Services ◽  
Rural Libraries ◽  
Asset Based Community Development ◽  
Science Community ◽  
Community Access

This paper examines initiatives developed in Malaysian libraries to enhance library roles in promoting knowledge and technology exchange as well as community wellbeing. It explores how libraries in Malaysia are transforming society through community engagement and highlights initiatives undertaken by libraries that promote community access to collections, services, and events. The success of the initiatives is demonstrated in seven transformation strategy themes, namely; (i) embedded services; (ii) bridges and web technology; (iii) strategic and institutional partnering; (iv) rural libraries; (v) community libraries; (vi) asset-based community development; and (vii) international librarianship. While it is often cited that public libraries are those that serve the community at large, this paper provides the perspective from other types of library viewpoints, emphasizing that such community outreach services should not be limited to public libraries. The library science community at large, and especially academic libraries, must play a role in community engagement.

Community engagement, cultural competence and two Australian public libraries and Indigenous communities

IFLA Journal ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Blackburn
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Competence ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Sustainable Community ◽  
Science Framework ◽  
Definition Of

Two examples of community engagement in Australian public libraries, drawn from the author’s experience, are analysed using Sung and Hepworth’s (2013) community engagement model for public libraries and Overall’s (2009) definition of cultural competence in a library and information science framework. The examples are examined for the community engagement characteristics identified by Sung and Hepworth; each is also considered for cultural competence, using the domains which Overall posits are the sites where this competence occurs or is developed. A virtuous circle of community engagement is extrapolated from the second example. ‘Hierarchical equivalence’ between organizations, a group’s proportional presence in a population and the nature of each group’s aims, are suggested as further factors in sustainable community engagement. That culture is an asset on which communities draw to engage with libraries and the broader community, and that communities will respond to engagement approaches if they offer the possibility of meeting community aspirations, is evident in both examples.

scholarly journals Municipal Responses to COVID-19: the case of library closures in New South Wales local government

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-94
Author(s):  
Andrea Wallace ◽  
Brian Dollery
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Community Wellbeing ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Library Use ◽  
The Impact

Abstract In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the New South Wales (NSW) government ordered the closure of all municipal libraries in order to limit the impact of the contagion. As a result, 372 public libraries in NSW ceased operation on the 23rd March 2020. While the closure of public libraries will undoubtedly contribute to restricting the spread of the coronavirus, given the pivotal role played by municipal libraries in local communities, as well as the special characteristics of library patrons, it will have other negative consequences. In this paper we consider the impact of the closure of municipal libraries in NSW from two perspectives: (a) its effect on the fiscal circumstances of local authorities and (b) its impact on the spread of the corona contagion as well as its broader effects on local community wellbeing. We conclude that rather than complete closure, partial constraints on library use should have been considered.

Social Software Use in Public Libraries

2010 ◽  
pp. 451-461
Author(s):  
June Abbas
Keyword(s):  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Social Software ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Social Bookmarking ◽  
Software Applications ◽  
Trust Authority ◽  
Science Community ◽  
Innovative Techniques

With the emergence of Web 2.0, libraries have started employing social software applications (such as blogs, tagging, social networking, and wikis) to engage readers, encourage user-contributed content, and connect with user populations in novel ways. However, little research has been conducted on the applications of Web 2.0 technologies within public libraries. This chapter focuses on the applicability of social software in a library setting and examines the use of such innovative techniques as live tagging, social cataloging, and social bookmarking. The chapter evaluates the potential of social software tools for facilitating collaboration between librarians and library patrons; it addresses the concerns expressed by the library and information science community related to the issues of trust, authority, accuracy, responsibility, and ethics in the context of the Library 2.0.

Connecting with Community: The Importance of Community Engagement in Rural Public Library Systems

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivian Howard ◽  
Heather Reid
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Rural Population ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Population Rurale ◽  
Primary Focus

Urban public library systems have been the primary focus of study for community engagement and community-led approaches. Nova Scotia is largely rural and sparsely populated, with a dwindling and aging rural population. This presentation examines how community engagement can connect Nova Scotia’s rural public libraries with their communities. Les systèmes de bibliothèques publiques urbaines ont été le principal objet d’investigation pour l'étude de l'engagement communautaire et des approches à visée communautaire. La Nouvelle-Écosse est essentiellement rurale et peu peuplée, avec une population rurale en déclin et vieillissante. Cet article examine comment l'engagement communautaire peut établir la connexion entre les bibliothèques publiques rurales de la Nouvelle-Écosse et leurs communautés.

scholarly journals A Comparison of Selected Aspects of Finnish and Polish Public Libraries

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-131
Author(s):  
Mariola Antczak
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Policy ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Library Science ◽  
National Standards ◽  
General Situation ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Source Materials

Abstract The article presents and compares the general situation of public libraries and readership in Finland and Poland at the beginning of the 21st century, based on selected statistical data on the topic. In order to correctly understand the library policy of Finland - a country in which it is impossible to implement cultural policy without taking into account the geographical and natural conditions of individual regions - the most important data on the country are presented and compared with data on Poland. Statistical schedules, online reports on the activity of public libraries, libraries’ homepages, legislative acts and professional library science magazines, among others, served as source materials for the conducted analysis. The comparative method, documentation analysis method and statistical method were used to achieve the assumed objectives. Considering the limitations on the article size, a decision was made to select a few specific aspects of the topic for analysis - the most important ones in the author’s opinion. Among others, these included information on public libraries made available in both countries, contemporary government policies implemented towards the institutions that the author is interested in, conducting qualitative and quantitative research, generating reports on the research, as well as the governments’ compliance with international and national standards of the quality of library collections, personnel and services.

scholarly journals Better Health Durham: Community Engagement in a Cluster RCT of a Prevention Practitioner Intervention in Low-Income Neighbourhoods

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 22s-22s
Author(s):  
M.A. O'Brien ◽  
A. Lofters ◽  
B. Wall ◽  
A.D. Pinto ◽  
R. Elliott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Disease Prevention ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Community Outreach ◽  
Chronic Disease Prevention ◽  
Cluster Rct

Background: The Building on Existing Tools to Improve Chronic Disease Prevention and Screening (BETTER) intervention has improved uptake of chronic disease prevention and screening activities in primary care. The BETTER intervention consists of 1:1 visits between prevention practitioners (PPs) and patients (40-65 years). It is unknown if an adapted BETTER could be effective in the community with public health nurses as PPs. Aim: The presentation objective is to describe community engagement strategies in a cluster RCT in low income neighborhoods with low cancer screening rates and low uptake of primary care. Methods: Principles of community-based participatory research were used to design the community engagement strategy in Durham region, Ontario. Key elements included close collaboration with public health partners to identify stakeholders and creating a community advisory committee (CAC) and a primary care engagement group to provide advice. Results: We identified 15 community stakeholder groups (∼47 subgroups) including service organizations, faith groups, and charitable organizations representing diverse constituents. Community outreach activities included in-person meetings and information displays at local events. The CAC is comprised of members of the public and representatives from primary care, social services, and community organizations. The CAC and primary care engagement groups have provided advice on trial recruitment strategies and on the design of the PP visit. Conclusion: The partnership between public health, primary care, and the study team has been crucial to connect with community stakeholders. Community engagement is essential in raising awareness about the study and will contribute to successful recruitment. Trial Registration: NCT03052959

scholarly journals Understanding Social Justice Through Practitioners’ Language

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-70
Author(s):  
J Elizabeth Mills ◽  
Jacqueline Kociubuk ◽  
Kathleen Campana
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Library Science ◽  
Equal Treatment ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Theory Analysis ◽  
Community Partners ◽  
Science Field ◽  
Outreach Programs

Researchers have recognized that aspects of social justice are present in library efforts by acknowledging the importance of using library programs and services to promote social justice and the significance of social justice for the LIS field. However, while public libraries have indicated a strong interest in reaching underserved communities, they may not yet possess a thorough understanding of various aspects of social justice, especially the concepts of equity, engagement, and empowerment, despite the increasing focus on social justice’s centrality in the library science field. This work-in-progress study presents a grounded theory analysis of twenty semi-structured interviews that were conducted as part of an existing study with library staff and their community partners (staff who work at organizations with which the libraries partner to offer outreach programs in the community). The analysis explores and unpacks practitioners’ language to demonstrate a complex, multifaceted portrait of how these practitioners describe equity, engagement, and empowerment. These practitioners express both broad and individual approaches to this social justice work in an effort to offer equal treatment to the whole community while also recognizing individual barriers. Moreover, they underscore the importance of a role for the community to play in achieving their own goals and strengthening connections between community members and institutions. This analysis yields a critical semantic foundation of social justice concepts, situated in practitioner understanding and prior research in social justice.

scholarly journals An Inspector Calls

2018 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-99
Author(s):  
Lorne Bruce
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Department Of Education ◽  
Inspection Method ◽  
The Great Depression ◽  
New Public ◽  
Rural Libraries ◽  
The First World War ◽  
Adults And Children

Angus McGill Mowat was an inspirational voice for public library work during the Great Depression. In 1937, after he became Inspector of Public Libraries in the Ontario Department of Education, he helped revive spirits and raise service ambitions in smaller rural libraries. Building on the “modern library” concept popularized after the First World War, he re-energized trustees, librarians, and library workers with hundreds of visits to promote local efforts before 1939. His inspections encompassed the advisement of trustees on management and financial processes; the promotion of librarianship and staff training; the improvement of collections and services for adults and children; the reorganization of functional building space; the formation of county systems; and support for new public school curriculum reading reforms. Although warfare interrupted his work, Mowat’s wide-ranging inspection method brought renewed optimism and laid the groundwork for genuine progress in the provincial public library system after 1945.

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