1. Building Strong Library Associations Programe IFLA ALP: Building Better Library Communities

2. IFLA ALP
The Action for Development through Libraries Programme (IFLA ALP) is a core activity of IFLA
ALP provides development and training programmes, online learning and other opportunities
IFLA ALP delivers the Building Strong Library Associations (BSLA) programme
Scope
The IFLA Action for Development through Libraries Programme (IFLA ALP) works in collaboration with libraries, library associations, partner organisations and library professionals in developing and emerging countries to deliver relevant, sustainable activities for equitable access to information and better library communities.
ALP achieves its objectives through:
Capacity building programmes
Regional and grassroots projects
Toolkits and other resources
Promoting awareness and adoption of IFLA policies, guidelines and other resources
Identifying issues for further policy research from impact evaluations and programme reports

3. IFLA’s experience in training and development
IFLA has a number of expert trainers, and has delivered training and development programmes in every region of the world
IFLA’s training approach:
More than training: programmes include mentoring, cascade learning and evaluation
Training materials and activities can be customized to meet the needs of:
Different associations and organisations
Different languages
Cultural, political, social and other conditions
Different learning styles
Modules can be delivered as part of workshops, larger programmes, or online
IFLA’s experience in training and development

4. Introduction to IFLA development and training programmes
IFLA has developed programmes and training packages that are customisable, flexible, and designed to meet the needs of different library communities
Policy based training
Training based on IFLA’s guidelines, standards and manifestos. Developed by IFLA FAIFE
Public Access to Health Information
IFLA/UNESCO Internet Manifesto
IFLA Manifesto on Transparency, Good Governance and Freedom from Corruption
Building Strong Library Associations (BSLA)
Policy-based training is learning that is based on an IFLA guideline, standard or manifesto
Like the BSLA materials, they use a cascade (or train the trainer) approach
Materials have been used and adapted in partnership with local communities in a number of countries, reaching thousands of librarians
These training materials include a guide to implementing the policy on which it is based, and training in the topic area it addresses
Policy-based training materials are developed by IFLA FAIFE (Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression) committee

5. Building Strong Library Associations

6. Strong Library Associations: Foundations for advocacy
Strong national associations, globally and throughout the regions, are needed to support the profession
IFLA developed Building Strong Library Associations, to support associations to develop their capacity and effectiveness, for the benefit of sustainable library communities
The BSLA programme builds capacity by sharing expertise within regions, strengthening library leaders in-country, and developing locally relevant solutions.
Through cascade workshops and information-sharing, the programme has an impact across countries and regions.

7. IFLA BSLA programme components
Training and skills development
Case studies
Mentoring
In-country and cross-border activities
Online learning
Impact evaluation
Programme components
Training on all aspects of library associations
IFLA’s existing policy-based training packages (for example IFLA/UNESCO Internet Manifesto)
Case studies and success stories
Mentoring on specific topics through IFLA’s international network
In-country, cross-country and across programme activities and meetings
Support for associations to form partnerships (for example, with consortia, or cross-border with other associations)
Use of an online learning platform to support access to materials, collaboration, and information sharing
Cascade (train the trainer) approaches are encouraged
Cascade workshops develop trainer skills, and brings learning to broader groups and regions in a country
IFLA has used this method successfully in a number of countries
The BSLA programme is more than training and aims for improved:
Association governance, leadership, strategy, and membership
Partnerships and collaboration within the sector
Advocacy on behalf of library communities and professionals

8. How has BSLA been implemented?
When we began this project, we were interested to know, what impact would other situations in a country have on a library association? In addition to working with each of you, using the surveys, documents and interviews that we have carried out, we are interested to know – can we compare any data across countries? Are there things we have learned in one country that can be applied somewhere else? What things are the same for all associations, and what things are different?
Each country participating in the programme was selected through an application process.
Each country project was structured to begin with a country visit, and to end with an evaluation meeting. IFLA, together with the trainer, undertook interviews, visits, and needs assessments to begin the project. The trainer then returned to the country up to four times to deliver workshops, stakeholder meetings and other activities. You will hear more about these from each country presentation. In between workshops, associations worked to implement what they had learned, holding board meetings, retreats, advocacy activities, and cascade workshops to deepen the reach of BSLA across their country.
On the following slides are some pictures and quotes from some the visits and meetings from past projects.
How has BSLA been implemented?

9. Library visit during pilot workshop, Singapore

10. Review meeting, Lithuania
The Book's Christmas campaign resulted from the advocacy and visibility of many library partners in Lithuania, including LLA
Alina Jaskuniene, Lithuanian Librarians' Association President, Lithuania
Review meeting, Lithuania

11. Argentina

12. We have worked hard to increase participation across the country
Ana María Talavera Ibarra, core trainer Perú and Dean of CBP
Review Meeting, Peru

13. Review Meeting, Lebanon
BSLA made us reflect on ourselves. It made us think of where we are, where we want to go, our weaknesses, our strengths.
Randa Al-Chidiac, LLA President Lebanon
Review Meeting, Lebanon

14. Review Meeting, Botswana
BLA has been reborn.
It is a better BLA
Lynn Jibril, Botswana Library Association
Review Meeting, Botswana

15. Best Practice Award presentation, Cameroon
This is really something we can take credit for, because we are from nowhere, to where we are today.
Jerôme Ndjock, ABADCAM President
Best Practice Award presentation, Cameroon

16. Review Meeting, Cameroon

17. Review meeting, Cameroon

18. “They own and believe in BSLA”
Country visit, Nepal

19. Country visit, Nepal

20. Workshop for new librarians, Ukraine

21. “The members of the Council valued the opportunity to spend time together”
Two workshops in January 2011
Significant outreach during the 2011 Crimea conference
During the first workshop, participants worked on their strategic implementation skills and partnerships. At the second workshop, the members of the Council valued the opportunity to spend time together, focusing specifically on association activities. The next steps involve the various working groups developing operational plans and communication plans.
“It has already made changes: our regional chapter attracted more members; we have planned programs for this year together with partners”
Changes in attitudes are beginning:
“I was impressed with the discussion on freedom of expression and librarians’ role in providing access to information. Before the workshop I was confident that we need to provide some censorship in libraries. Now I know that it is not the role of a librarian. But many librarians in Ukraine still think in the opposite way.”
Ukraine

22. Trainers Meeting, WLIC Puerto Rico
I have found the opportunities to come together extremely valuable
Gillian Hallam (Australia), core trainer Ukraine
Trainers Meeting, WLIC Puerto Rico

23. Regional convenings and small projects
From 2013, IFLA ALP will build on the initial country projects and small projects and work at the regional level by carrying out a series of convenings and projects at the regional level in Africa, Asia and Oceania, and Latin America and the Caribbean over three years from
Expected project outcomes:
Formation and reinforcement of cross-country networks and expertise to support associations’ own development;
Increased understanding and adoption of IFLA policies and manifestos to support high quality library and information services;
Strengthened networks and joint activities between library sectors in a country;
The long-term goal of this approach will be to build the platform for library associations, representing the interests of library users, to tell the story of libraries and gain policymaker support and partnership, and be a force for change in providing equitable public access to information. This approach also recognizes and seeks to build influence within geographic/regional, political, and economic blocs and the growing emphasis on the multi-stakeholder environment.
The project will begin with a series of convenings between February-April 2014 in each of IFLA’s three regions.
Convenings
The format would include 4 days of workshops, practical activities, and project planning sessions with all participants or as country teams. Materials will be delivered from the BSLA programme, as well as IFLA’s policies and guidelines, and how these can be implemented at the national or regional level.
Following the convenings, IFLA would provide funds for implementation in the three regions. Usage of these funds will be identified through the development of action plans at the convenings.
These funds could be used as follows depending on the needs and capacity of each participating association:
To implement co-sponsored BSLA workshops and other activities at existing events eg national library association conferences, regional meetings (Africa Library Summit), Beyond Access country and international events;
Small projects in-country, consisting of a series of workshops and other activities utilising modules from the BSLA training package; advocacy capacity building eg utilising the Libraries on the Agenda module;
Support to implement IFLA policies and manifestos;
Cross-country projects bringing together a smaller number of countries in the region to form alliances or partnerships in pursuit of advocacy goals.
Regional convenings and small projects

24. Myanmar

25. Programme activities Activities have reached over 60 countries
Country projects
ALP small projects
Train-the-trainer workshops
Mini-congress for 7 country projects in conjunction with MLAS midterm meeting, February 2012, Berlin
Regional convenings in Ghana, Indonesia, Brazil in 2014
Regional projects in Francophone Africa, the Pacific, and Latin America
Global meeting in Manila in 2016

26. BSLA Mini-Congress, Berlin February 2012
Objectives:
Network between BSLA countries, including IFLA projects, and the three Global Libraries Countries
Review the BSLA programme, and results
Share strategies and learning between countries, and trainers
Develop strategies to sustain the projects beyond including continuing advocacy, training, and monitoring
Observe the work of the IFLA MLAS section, and to network with associations beyond the BSLA group
BSLA Mini-Congress, Berlin February 2012

27. Measuring the results
IFLA uses impact evaluation to measure the change that the BSLA programme makes:
Tells participants whether they are making real progress towards their goals
Raises awareness of the association in the sector and amongst decision makers
Share what works with other associations

28. Impact: Building Strong Library Associations programme
Increased confidence in running associations and advocating for libraries
Organisations, partners, members across and beyond the library sector are more engaged with supporting the association’s work
Association activities have directly (via advocacy) or indirectly (through actions of workshop participants) benefited all library sectors

29. BSLA Impact Report
Shares results and stories from the first six country projects Download from IFLA website, or available in print

30. All programme information and links to the online platform can be found from this page. We are archiving links to photos, videos, presentations and more from this site.
More information about the programme and access to the Online Learning Platform:

31. Access the Online Learning Platform: http://www.ifla.org/bsla/

32. BSLA materials in translation
Translations of BSLA materials are being added to the Online Platform
BSLA Trainingsmaterial fuer Seminare (Deutsch)
Paquete de material didáctico para la Creación de Asociaciones de Bibliotecarios Sólidas (Español)
Deutsch: Thank you to translater Maria Reinhard for translating the whole BSLA package, and to Hella Klauser for coodinating the project
We are adding translations of other materials, in Spanish, and soon to add Ukrainian, French, and other languages.

33. Thank you! Download the report: http://www.ifla.org/bsla/