Wangilatha Wangu nga Kiyawatha (Singing Songs and Telling Stories) (2017)

Wangilatha Wangu nga Kiyawatha (Singing Songs and Telling Stories) is based on a book of songs and stories written and illustrated by Brendan Kennedy in Tati Tati, Mutti Mutti, Latji Latji and Wadi Wadi languages of North Western Victoria around Robinvale, and published by the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages in 2014.

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Libraries making life better

When US based news site Buzzfeed asked readers how their local library inspired change in their lives, they collated an inspiring collection of anecdotes from readers near and far.
From the dyslexic student who was supported to read regularly, the people who found a safe space to escape to, or the therapy dog who visited children each Thursday, it’s gratifying proof of the important role libraries play in society.  Read these here.

Speculative Short Stories

You may recall I posted about a short story collection for use in the classroom a while back. Well I might have hit the jackpot, this post celebrates the best Speculative/Science Fiction/Fantasty short stories that were released by TOR in 2018. Enjoy!

Libraries Welcome Everyone

The Arts Council of England are very serious about diversity and inclusion. They produced a report you should read, it’s available here. Six case studies are included and you can see how practices can be changed to make your space as welcoming as possible.

Improving Literacy one step at a time

The Sydney Morning Herald published a story about a Nun publishing a book in the local  languages of the are including Murrinhpatha, which is the most common language in Wadeye, but they have some in other languages – Magati Ke, Marri Ngarr, Marri Amu, Ngen’giwumirri and, in the pipeline, Marri Tjevin. Read about this inspiring true life adventure here.

How Global Libraries impacted the world

After 21 years, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Global Libraries Programme has closed its doors. IFLA, on behalf of the entire global library field, would like to give thanks not only for its contributions to date, but for the immense impact it will continue to have into the future.

We believe that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s 1997 decision to establish a dedicated programme for libraries will be seen by future historians of our field as a major moment.

At a time of political, economic and technological change, it represented a clear statement of the enduring place of libraries in society. It affirmed their role as accelerators of progress, community anchors and guarantors of equity, and challenged other stakeholders to do the same.

After implementation across the United States, the Global Libraries programme took this message around the world, with immense success. They have given librarians the tools and inspiration they needed to realise their potential. They have shown the difference that effective libraries with engaging services can make to their communities.

Thanks to its visionary leadership and dedicated staff, Global Libraries has done so much to deliver on its mission to improve lives and strengthen libraries. IFLA acknowledges Deborah Jacobs as the driving force, not only of the Global Libraries team, but for change across the library field. IFLA itself was a beneficiary of funding that allowed it to develop the Building Strong Library Associations programme and pursue advocacy at the highest levels.

Now, we are at another major moment. With the closure of the Global Libraries programme, we say goodbye to one of the greatest allies our sector has ever known. IFLA President, Glòria Pérez-Salmerón said, “While the closing of the Programme marks the end of an amazing phase in the development of libraries, I am confident that its missions, vision and energy will live on, and make a lasting difference to our institutions and the people they serve.”

With the energy and example they have provided, and the most generous grant in IFLA’s history, IFLA has never been in a better position to work towards a globally strong and united library field.

IFLA will seek to transform the global library field, with a transformed IFLA at its heart. Our federation is better able to listen to the voices of our members around the world, and join together in advocating for library services that improve lives.

IFLA is already enabling a qualitative change in the way the library field collects data and measures its impact through the Library Map of the World. With our International Advocacy Programme, we have placed libraries at the heart of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda.

With IFLA’s Global Vision, we are firmly on the way to a truly united global library field. Across the global culture, science and education sector, there has never been such an ambitious and inclusive initiative.

These successes have only been possible due to our outstanding partnership with Global Libraries, and to the inspiration Deborah Jacobs and her team have provided. The legacy of their work has given IFLA and its legacy partners an unparalleled opportunity and an unparalleled responsibility.

IFLA believes that, together, we are up to the task, and we can help stronger libraries build better lives the world over.

Gerald Leitner
IFLA Secretary General

Source: https://www.ifla.org/node/91808

Empowering Language Communities

It’s the UN Year of Indigenous Languages, I’ve posted a few times about it already. But the Mobile Language Team is out there in South Australia empowering 44 communities preserve and save their languages. How great is this?