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State of American Librarianship: Advocacy and Other Issues ALA, International Relations Round Table, Pre-Conference, University of Illinois at Chicago-West Campus, Student Center West (CIU), Room A 828, Chicago, IL, USA, June 24, 2005, Friday, 8:30-12:30
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Advocacy and the Advocacy and the Campaign for World´s Libraries in Campaign for World´s Libraries in
MexicoMexico
Jesús LauJesús [email protected]
Universidad Veracruzana / DGB / USBI VERAMBAC – Chair, International Relations Committee /
State of American Librarianship: Advocacy and Other IssuesALA, International Relations Round Table, Pre-Conference
University of Illinois at Chicago-West Campus, Student Center West (CIU), Room A 828
Chicago, IL, USAJune 24, 2005, Friday, 8:30-12:30
Topics
Mexico´s concept of advocacy ALA/Gates international contribution Mexico´s achievements Advocacy challenges
Mexican DemographicsMexican Demographics14th in geographical size7th in exports2nd trade partner of the USLargest Spanish-speaking country2nd Economy in Latin AmericaMiddle income countryLiteracy 90%Ranks with some of the best libraries in Latin
America
Library StatisticsLibrary StatisticsType Centers Volumes
School 4,689 17,162,907
Academic 1,133 16,422,598
Special 175 2,576,889
Public 5,313 27,067,572
National 1 1,250,000
Others 5 449,160
Total 11,315 64,179,126
Advocacy Meaning in Mexico
Meaning is similar to US/ALA concept Strategies are different They normally take a low-profile or a very
active one Examples go from phone calls/emails to
marches, mainly at the national and state capitals
The library community normally opts for the low-profile
Factors that Influence Advocacy Tactics
The library community is small Associations, therefore, are also small Association budgets are, in general, limited Mexico´s democratic transition is an open
ground for library advocacy Internet is helping to get participacion from
librarians outside Mexico City
AMBACMexican Association of Librarians
Signed a cooperation agreement with ALA a couple years ago
@ your Library scheme was adopted Promoted among state associations and
libraries State association that have actively
campaigned are Jalisco and Chihuahua
National College of Librarians Advocacy
A professionals-only library association Right/Duty to advise government decisions Sends letters of support to influence decisions Advocay example: complaint for appointing non-
librarians to leadership posts A challenge: it is a small association Funding is again limited, dues are low
National Library Campaign
AMBAC organized with the National Council of Culture (Education Ministry) a library promotion campaign
The first lady, Martha Fox, kicked off the program
Great media coverage on TV and newspapers
Great ALA Support
A workshop has been organized at the MLA annual library conferences in the last few years
ALA has sent an instructor to facilitate the workshop
The champion-facilitor has been Carol Brey, the current ALA President
This support has made a positive impact among professionals even among those who did not attend the workshops
Gates Foundation Contribution Factor
The Gates Foundation has also contributed to Mexican libraries´visibility
Benefitted: More than one thousand public libraries have now computer equipment and greater Internet access
It has played an important role in giving a better stance to public libraries in government
Gates guidelines support greater role of libraries in society
Related Achievements
Current federal government has became more aware of libraries´s
Public Libraries have received more recognition A new main/central public library for Mexico city
is under construction It will also be a “mega”-public library for the rest
of the country
Mexico City´s “Mega-Library”
The architectural blueprints are the result of an international contest
It will be built in the former city´s railway station The building will be an avant gard masterpiece The funding has been a struggle between the
president and the Mexican congress The president´s commitment has been high, and
the community and the press has given good support to the project
Guadalajara´s Main Public Library
This second largest city will buid a new facility for its main public library
The library will be the center-piece of a cultural complex
The building will be one if not the largest in the country
An international call for the architectural design - 400 consulting firms took part
Helen Ladron is the Advocacy champion
Guadalajara – Mexico City Competition
Some of the big library consultants names have been hired
There is a competition with Mexico City´s library building
The national congress has been involved in the funding competition
The Universtity President, Raul Padilla has been a strong sopporter of the project
Academic Libraries CONPAB (Association) is the main university library voice University librarians have achieved greater roles and status
in recent years, examples: Juarez University (UACJ), the library department is in
charge of academic evaluation/accreditation of faculty programs – One of the top accredited state universities
University of Colima (UCOL), the librarian also is in charge of computing and telecommunications / information technology
National University (UNAM), a librarian is in charge of faculty development.
However, in some instances computer professionals have taken over libraries
National School of Librarianship
An example of sucessful advocacy New premises in the last decade Close collaboration with Department of
Universities / Ministry of Education Runs spots on national TV and newspapers about
librarians´ role and library education 60th Anniversary will be celebrated soon at Bellas
Artes/Fine Arts Palace, the most respected national “bel canto” theater
Our Advocacy Challenges
Get more social visibility among potential library users
Lobby for a more flexible copyright law Create library law at state levels Influence federal government to have a
national information development strategy (Create a national library plan)
Take a more active role at international bodies, like ISO, and UN related bodies
@ your Library Challenges
Promote adoption of the campaign at individual libraries
Adapt ALA World Campaign guidelines Create promotional materials Train library staff Promote professional involment in political
decisions
Associations
Associations (AMBAC and NCL) need a general advocacy plan
The advocacy role varies according to the association president´s priorities
Create training opportunities on advocacy for members
Conclusions
@ your Library has been a good promotional scheme to Mexico
AMBAC participation has benefitted the country The new major main national/state public libraries under construction are the product of advocacy The campaign, it is assumed, helped to raise
greater awareness of the value of libraries at the federal government
Some states also became more aware of libraries