Public Libraries Addressing Development Group 3 Content Strategies for providing relevant and timely content Facilitator: Carol Priestley Animators: Charles Kamdem, Jo McGill, Justin Chisenga Rapporteur: Viviana Quiñones

Agenda Introductions Definition What strategies can be used to stimulate local content expression? (animator Charles Kamdem, Cameroon) What strategies can be used to stimulate eContent creation and communication? (animator Jo McGill, Northern Territories Library, Australia) What mechanisms can be introduced to develop eContent exchange and broadcast systems (animator Justin Chisenga, FAO) How can public libraries help to strengthen local ‘synthesis and adaptation’ capacities? (animator – Justin Chisenga, FAO)

Introductions Charles Camdem, Public Library Yaoundé, Cameroon Jo McGill, Northern Territories Library, Australia Justin Chisenga, Knowledge and Information Management, FAO Viviana Quiñones, La Joie par les livres Carol Priestley, NIDA (Network for Information & Digital Access)

Definitions Content: to satisfy information needs in relevant and timely manner in an appropriate language and medium - national needs – e.g. meeting MDGs - needs of existing library users - but also to attract and retain potential users Can include: creation or procurement of resources of local interest and relevance - could be historical, cultural, agricultural information, health information, or any subject area; creation or procurement of resources in vernacular languages, maybe from local or regional publishers; content created by the libraries stakeholders/users - e.g. making audio tapes of aural culture ' my stories'; local can be immediate community, the town/city or rural region; or at country level, or regional level.

4 Questions What strategies can be used to stimulate local content expression ? What strategies can be used to stimulate eContent creation & communication? What mechanisms can be introduced to develop eContent exchange and broadcast systems? How can public libraries help to strengthen local ‘synthesis’ and ‘adaptation’ capacities ?

Quelles stratégies peut-on utiliser pour stimuler l’expression des contenus locaux? Dans la “charte de constitution des collections” et dans le “ plan de développement des collections”, prévoir des documents dont les contenus traitent des réalités locales. Inclure de plus en plus de livres en langues locales dans les programmes scolaires dès la petite enfance. Promouvoir la “lecture à haute voix”, les “ heures du conte”. L’oralité est une donnée culturelle importante dans notre environnement et dans nos bibliothèques.

Bibliothèque : acteur de la chaine du livre Les bibliothèques doivent faire des acquisition de livres en langues locales et proposer de animations assorties de prix. Les bibliothèques, notamment en milieu rural ou sémi urbain peuvent collecter des histoires traditionnelles écrites en langue locale et les éditer ( micro édition), même de façon sommaire. Ex Bibliothèque municipale d’Arlit dans le nord du Niger.

Bibliothèque : vecteur de diffusion du patrimoine matériel et immatériel Les bibliothèques peuvent promouvoir le patrimoine matériel ( exposition) et immatériel ( savoirs locaux), contribuer à l’alphabétisation, lutter contre l’illettrisme… en utilisant les contenus locaux qui parlent aux gens car ceux -ci se sentiront en phase avec ce qu’ils voient, avec ce qu’on leurs racontent, avec ce qu’ils lisent.

La bibliothèque et ses partenaires pour la promotion des contenus locaux Les bibliothèques doivent impérativement travailler en partenariat avec les administrations déconcentrées et décentralisées de l’Etat. L’Etat DOIT soutenir la chaîne du livre local pour l’encourager à produire des contenus locaux, mais aussi pour la protéger des grands groupes internationaux Les écoles, les associations, les éditeurs sont des partenaires « naturels » des bibliothèques

What strategies can be used to stimulate eContent creation and communication? Commence with the right platform Intuitive Flexible Integrated

The Northern Territory Library is working with 20 Aboriginal communities to deliver literacy programs while capturing local stories. Aboriginal Stories Stories are retold using iPads, the Community Stories database and the production of board books for babies.

Local eContent Having the right project If you build it, they might not come Inspiring and motivating Visible outcomes

Local eContent Need for a “champion” Trusted figure in a community Technical know-how Ipad

Capturing and retelling the stories provides for intergenerational learning, maintenance and revitalisation of culture. Aboriginal Stories

Local eContent Documentation of traditional knowledge Demonstrate value to person to family to community to regions to country

Intergenerational learning

What mechanisms can be introduced to develop eContent exchange and broadcast systems ? Establish formal partnerships with content producers Acquire e-content or digitize content and make it accessible over electronic networks/internet Integrate public libraries into e-government initiatives to serve as access hubs to e- government services and information Partner with community radio stations to disseminate

What mechanisms can be introduced to develop eContent exchange and broadcast systems ? Establish formal partnerships with content producers Acquire e-content or digitize content and make it accessible over electronic networks/internet Integrate public libraries into e-government initiatives to serve as access hubs to e- government services and information Partner with community radio stations to disseminate

How can public libraries help to strengthen local ‘synthesis and adaptation’ capacities? "Easier access to globalised knowledge is fast turning us into ‘consumers’ of distant and potentially irrelevant information" [Neil Pakenham-Walsh, 2002] Potentially, public libraries in Africa have access to huge amounts of content. However, very little may be directly suitable to public libraries users or communities. Much of the content needs to be adapted and repackaged to ensure local suitability and relevance.

How can public libraries help to strengthen local ‘synthesis and adaptation’ capacities? Public libraries can provide work spaces for local content producers. Public libraries: –can help content producers by searching and identifying what knowledge already exist locally and globally to be adapted to local needs. –develop comprehensive online resources or databases for local continent, which will help in avoiding duplication.

Merci beaucoup Thank you