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The Politics of Libraries and Librarianship: Challenges and realities

Edited by Kerry Smith, Curtin University of Technology, Australia

Chandos Information Professional Series

…very good examples of demonstrating how copyright can hinder a productive use of information assets in developing countries.
Journal of Librarianship and Information Science

…informative and well written.
Journal of Librarianship and Information Science

 - provides recent stories and real examples of: The various political contexts under which libraries operate
 - why it is important to be politically aware
 - how political climates influence decision making for libraries
 - how a librarian might influence the organizational politics of their library environment
 - why professional associations have become more politically aware and the effect this has had on them

This book covers aspects of the political environment which surrounds and engages libraries and their librarians. It includes anecdotes on the role of the political sphere in the business of library associations.

ISBN 1 84334 343 6
ISBN-13: 978 1 84334 343 1
September 2008
220 pages  234 x 156mm  paperback  
£42.50 / US$70.00 / €50.00

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£62.50 / US$105.00 / €75.00

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About the editor

Dr Kerry Smith’s research interests are mainly in science and technology information policy, specialising in the geosciences. She has been editor-in-chief of the electronic journal LIBRES (Library and Information Science Research) since 1996 and was chair of the IFLA Library Theory and Research Section from 2001-2005. She has had a long involvement with the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) as a National Councillor and as the National President in 1997. She was awarded a Fellowship of ALIA in 2002 and her continued involvement includes the position of Chair of the ALIA Research Committee.

Titles which may also be of interest:
Libraries and Society
Freedom of Information and the Developing World
Global Information Inequalities
Librarianship and Human Rights
Globalisation, Information and Libraries

Contents

PART 1 AN INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL FRAMEWORK FOR LIBRARIES
PART 2 POLITICS AND FUNDING FOR LIBRARIES: SOME INTERNATIONAL EXAMPLES
PART 3 LIBRARY EDUCATION

PART 1 AN INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL FRAMEWORK FOR LIBRARIES

An international political framework for libraries
Alex Byrne
 - An issue for libraries
 - Civil society
 - The place of libraries
 - An information society
 - Libraries in the information society
 - Library ethos
 - Seeking political influence
 - An international political framework for libraries
 - References

Intellectual property – benefit or burden for Africa?
Denise Nicholson
 - Introduction
 - What is intellectual property?
 - Intellectual property situation in Africa
 - Importance of access to information
 - Copyright – a barrier for education and libraries
 - Where is the balance?
 - Copyright – benefit or burden?
 - International pressures
 - African Growth Opportunity Act – stepping-stone to a free trade agreement?
 - What is a free trade agreement?
 - Harmonisation versus competition
 - Impact of TRIPS-Plus on African countries
 - Anti-circumvention technologies
 - TRIPS-Plus and public health
 - Should Africa adopt TRIPS-Plus?
 - Copyright cooperation in Africa
 - Challenges and recommendations
 - Acknowledgements
 - Notes
 - References

The CI study on copyright and access to knowledge
Rajeswari Kanniah
 - Introduction
 - The international copyright regime
 - National copyright laws
 - WIPO’s legislative advice
 - The US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement
 - Pricing of copyrighted materials
 - Using copyright laws to increase access to knowledge
 - Conclusion
 - Note
 - References

PART 2 POLITICS AND FUNDING FOR LIBRARIES: SOME INTERNATIONAL EXAMPLES

Political realities and the English public library service
Chris Batt
 - Introduction
 - The historical perspective: popularity, invisibility and good fortune
 - The ‘outside world’
 - And the consequence is…?
 - Conclusions
 - Notes
 - References

Public library development in New South Wales
David J Jones
 - Good in parts: libraries in nineteenth-century New South Wales
 - The Free Public Library, Sydney
 - The Municipalities Act
 - A mixed bag
 - Steady as she goes: the early twentieth century
 - Schools of arts examined
 - The Munn-Pitt Report
 - The Free Library Movement
 - The Libraries Advisory Committee
 - Deciding on subsidies
 - The Library Act
 - The Act takes hold
 - Acknowledgements
 - References

Libraries in the South Pacific
Paula H Jones
 - Libraries in the region
 - Libraries in the doldrums
 - Library training in the region
 - Levels of staffing in South Pacific libraries
 - Library associations
 - Regional efforts to improve libraries
 - USP Library
 - Standing Conference of Pacific Libraries (SCOPAL)
 - Pacific Information Centre (PIC)
 - Pacific Regional Initiatives for the Delivery of Basic Education (PRIDE)
 - CLAIM
 - Mechanisms for change – national planning documents
 - Aid and libraries in the South Pacific
 - Cyclones, coups and corruption
 - Solutions to library development
 - Notes
 - References
 - Further reading

Staying alive in a political world: the case of libraries and information centres in Nigeria
Zakari Mohammed and Victoria Okojie
Introduction
 - The library and the political class
 - The turning point between the library and the political class
 - Staying alive
 - References

Libraries and politics – Danish reflections and examples
Winnie Vitzansky
 - Introduction
 - Our political environment
 - Do today’s library associations need to be politically aware?
 - Bringing the libraries into the political agenda
 - Lobbying for libraries – a Danish perspective
 - Library strategies
 - Partnerships
 - International cooperation
 - Conclusion
 - Note

The political framework for public libraries in the Netherlands
Marian Koren
 - The library landscape and politics
 - Development and legislation
 - Bibliotheekvernieuwing: restructuring and innovation
 - Political perceptions: a research project
 - Political awareness-raising
 - Working with stakeholders
 - Leadership with a background in politics
 - Notes
 - References
 - Further reading
 - Key organisations and websites

PART 3 LIBRARY EDUCATION

A unified approach to the teaching of library studies
Michael Gorman
 - Introduction
 - Education in library studies
 - The field of library studies
 - The curriculum
 - The faculty
 - Summary
 - Acknowledgements
 - References

Is library course accreditation a political necessity?
Kerry Smith
 - Introduction
 - Educational programmes in librarianship
 - What is accreditation?
 - Why accredit?
 - Accredit or recognise?
 - Is accreditation a political process?
 - LIS university education in Australia
 - Is there a role for research in LIS professional education?
 - What is accreditation worth?
 - Conclusion
 - Acknowledgements
 - Notes
 - References
 - Further reading