Building Strong Library Associations | Library Associations in Society: An Overview DAY 1 Session 3 What is the context of Library Associations in your region: Slides

Building Strong Library Associations | Library Associations in Society At the end of this session participants should be able to: Reflect on the values and ethics they share as librarians and review ethical behaviour of library associations. Define the role of a library association. Define key elements of a strong, successful library association. Explain the role of a library association within its social and political context. Understand the difference between national, regional associations and federations. Appreciate the importance of sound governance for the success of associations. Understand how important partnerships and collaboration are for the success and sustainability of library associations. Identify other countries with a similar issue, for collaboration/partnership purposes. Outcomes for participants

Building Strong Library Associations | Library Associations in Society Total Group Brainstorm 10 mins. Take 5 minutes to brainstorm commonly shared values and ethical behaviour of librarians. Note values/ethics on a whiteboard or flip-chart. Take a further 5 minutes to discuss whether or not these values/ethics are universal thus shared in our region. What values and ethics do we all share as librarians?

Building Strong Library Associations | Library Associations in Society Ethical behaviour is important in all aspects of association business. It is broadly described as social responsibility, embracing the concepts of accountability, transparency and reputation in all aspects of the association’s operation. It relates to how association business is conducted and impacts on reputation and relationships with other agencies and the community more generally. Ethical behaviour of library associations.

Building Strong Library Associations | Library Associations in Society It is desirable for associations to develop a ‘code of ethics’ or a ‘code of conduct’ - detailing the set of values and principles that guide behaviour, both within the association and with those external to it. Codes of conduct provide guideposts for what constitutes ethical behaviour and social responsibility. Code of Ethics or Code of Conduct

Building Strong Library Associations | Library Associations in Society Comprises groups of people with a common set of values or professional interests. Is generally not-for-profit and seeks to further the interests of the profession it represents and the public interest or community served by that profession. Membership of an association can be based on attainment of a prescribed qualification, but not always. What is a professional association?

Building Strong Library Associations | Library Associations in Society Global, cross-sectoral associations. National cross-sectoral associations; or associations of associations. Local or regional library associations which have a geographic constituency. Associations can also exist to represent a particular interest, library sector or subject area, for example: Associations with membership of a specific professional grouping or type of library. Associations that focus on a specific subject area, such as medicine, law or conservation, which might be national or international Many of these act as federations – a coalition of self-governed associations with shared interests and goals. Types of library associations

Building Strong Library Associations | Library Associations in Society Most library associations have goals and missions around the following 4 broad areas: 1. Standards of practice for the key areas of professional work 2. Services to members in support of their professional practice 3. Advocacy for the profession 4. Relationship management between the association and its communities (staff, professionals, institutions, friends etc.) and external strategic partners such as government agencies and fundraisers What is the role of library associations?

Building Strong Library Associations | Library Associations in Society Provides expert opinion on issues of information access, provision and management. Safeguards civil rights and intellectual freedom. Develops codes of ethics or codes of conduct. Contributes to the protection of privacy. Advocates for balanced intellectual property and copyright reform. Develops policy, advice, and professional standards. Activities/benefits/priorities of a library association (1)

Building Strong Library Associations | Library Associations in Society Facilitates access to information for all. Preserves the cultural heritage of your country/region. Contributes to library & info. research and publication. Provides professional education and lifelong learning for the sector. Markets and promotes the sector to the wider community. Activities/benefits/priorities of a library association (2)

Building Strong Library Associations | Library Associations in Society Library associations are playing an increasingly important role: as umbrella/coordinating bodies in area of policy and issue development such as open access to information; in facilitating collaboration and partnerships and in providing leadership in a changing information society. Contextual factors impacting on associations

Building Strong Library Associations | Library Associations in Society See handout. This can be referred to and used as a point of reference throughout the convening. See if you can add to the list of success factors as the convening progresses and use it when setting the priority area(s) for your proposal. Activity: How to work across our region 10 mins

Building Strong Library Associations | Library Associations in Society Governance is about the decision making processes and control framework for running the association e.g. financial controls Good governance arrangements and an appropriate organisational structure are central for achieving goals Governance arrangements will vary depending on the size, culture and goals We will explore governance further on Day 3. Association governance

Building Strong Library Associations | Library Associations in Society Most associations have relationships with other groups with shared interests and goals – these can be partners or collaborators These relationships need to be planned and managed Who might we collaborate with? Funding bodies Government Other organisations in the information business Friends of the association More on partnerships on Days 2 and 3 Partnerships and collaboration

Building Strong Library Associations | Library Associations in Society Mix participants from different associations (keep association representatives in a pair) into small groups. Each group is to brainstorm priorities for their region (3 mins). Ask them to consider what the benefits of working together across regions could be. In other words, what might their library associations achieve by working together that they couldn’t achieve on their own. Activity: How to work across our region 10 minutes