Who was I? Experienced librarian (research library) Some small experience from public libraries A 50 years old backpacker Norwegian = rich, Ecuadorian = poor

Volunteering -- The library idea Basic considerations Enlightening and bringing delight -- Why learn to read if you’ve got nothing to read? One single book may mean a lot to one or several persons A library, however small, may mean the world to the community sharing it … ………… Domestic loans for free?

Preparations (Oct.-Dec. 1999) Language studies Making contacts Looking for … libraries libraries supporting organisations supporting organisations

Necessary for success: GOOD SUPPORTERS Someone local willing to give practical support and advice from the beginning. (Local Rotary club) Someone prepared to take the economic and practical responsibility for conducting the library on a permanent basis after your departure (same club) A reliable, stable and interested day-to-day manager (A woman from the village) One or more local professional librarian(-s) ready to mentor that person, helping develop library skills (2, in the course of 10 years) + SOME MONEY

Useful contacts The Norwegian consul A local Rotary club An elderly German woman The mother of my temporary “family” in Ecuador The chairperson of the city library organisation Friends and relatives at home

Collection at the end of my stay 300 books, mostly bought secondhand, organised according to Dewey system. organised according to Dewey system. Traditional cards used for catalog and lending system Categories: All 10 Dewey categories represented, the local interest in agriculture weighing a little more than others.All 10 Dewey categories represented, the local interest in agriculture weighing a little more than others. Fiction books for adultsFiction books for adults PoetryPoetry TheatreTheatre Youth booksYouth books Childrens’ booksChildrens’ books A multi-volume encyclopaedic dictionaryA multi-volume encyclopaedic dictionary A multi-volume history work of South AmericaA multi-volume history work of South America A globe and a local mapA globe and a local map

THE BIG DEAL KEEPING THE LIBRARY RUNNING

Nono library 8 years later Anno 2008

Challenges

PROBLEM # 1: The organisation supporting PROBLEM # 1: The organisation supporting No budget for buying books. Very little money for keeping the library running. Low salary, long hours The library filled up with gifts from people’s private bookshelves. Interest in electronic equipment … dreams of setting up an Internet café in the library, making it run by means of money paid by local Internet users... leading to dumping the card catalogue without the employee knowing how to handle a PC

PROBLEM # 2: Scarce economy OUTLINE OF AN “IDEAL” ANNUAL BUDGET amounting to $ 6300 (NOK ) Startup expenses 2000: $ 900 (NOK 6500). Budget 2002: $ 1900 (NOK ) Startup expenses 2000: $ 900 (NOK 6500). Budget 2002: $ 1900 (NOK ) Salario mínimo de ley – total de 55 horas semanal - $ 165x12 $ Salario mínimo de ley – total de 55 horas semanal - $ 165x12 $ (Salario de $ 120 mensual por un trabajo de 40 h. semanal) (Salario de $ 120 mensual por un trabajo de 40 h. semanal) Seguro social – 2 personas - $ 30 /mes (¿?) x 12 $ 360 Materiales $ 60/mes x 12 $ 720 Movilización (2 veces/mes á $ 7,50) x 24 $ 180 Teléfono (3 veces/mes, celular, á $ 6) x 36 $ 216 Limpieza del área fuera de la bibl. $ 1/mes x 12 $ 12 Libros $ Revistas – 6 á $ 60 $ 360 Periódico $ 140 Capacitación (Cursos) $ 400 Supervisión $ 400 TOTAL – 1 año $ 6.268

To keep the library going… Possible part of solution To keep the library going… Possible part of solution Look for economic support in Norway for the library. Requirement: Ability to present information (statistics, reports…) on a regular bases

But alas …PROBLEM # 3: Communicating Internet and PCs in the library unstable Little understanding of the need for regular information. Not prepared to discuss practical solutions aiming at better communication / better economy

IMPROVING THE COMMUNICATION? Possible solution… Since 2008: An amount of $ 100 per month transferred from Norway once a year, to cover: Extra monthly payment $ 30 for the day-to-day manager of the library, on the condition that information is supplied regularly Extra monthly payment $ 30 for the day-to-day manager of the library, on the condition that information is supplied regularly Newspaper and a few books Newspaper and a few books Some minor education (courses) Some minor education (courses) The money sent is payed via a professional librarian … who is also well informed about the library world of Ecuador, and therefore an important contact to “open the doors” to that world

SUCCESSES A basic library with an acceptable library system set up during 7 weeks’ stay. Still going strong after 10 years Full shelves, many books of all kinds, a newspaper subscription, and 2-3 PCs and Internet access, - an important part of a general upgrading of the village carried through since Children and adults borrow books for reading at home Important for the local school Used for studies and homework, with assistance of the library day-to-day manager.

I’m not the only one Others in Ecuador Other Norwegian library projects in developing countries…