Librarians without Borders: An MLA Global Initiative

MLA Open Forum

Chicago, IL

May 20, 2008

Agenda

LWB Task Force Members and Charge Task Force Accomplishments Key Recommendations International Cooperation Section role Synergy with NLM and NN/LM projects Questions and Audience Discussion

LWB Task Force Members

Grace Ajuwon Marcus Banks (Chair) Carole Gall Jill Mayer Tony McSean Lenny Rhine, FMLA M.J. Tooey, Board Liaison 2006-2007 T. Scott Plutchak, Board Liaison 2007-2008 Carla J. Funk, MLA Staff Liaison

LWB Charge (1)

Developing criteria for a new MLA Award for Excellence in International Service through which either an individual(s) or an organization could be honored for significant and broad contributions to improvement in international health information provision. 

LWB Charge (2)

Assisting in designing a new “Librarians Without Borders” website on MLANET that aggregates all MLA international policy, programs, newsletters, and activities in one place.

LWB Charge (3)

Suggesting sustainable collaborations with groups that have worldwide health improvement and health literacy as goals.

LWB Charge (4)

Suggesting a mechanism to provide information assistance for persons responding to epidemics and natural and man-made disasters anywhere in the world and training in the field of information retrieval and information assistance to people anywhere in the world.

Task Force Accomplishments

International Service Award – 2007: Posthumously awarded to T. Mark Hodges– 2008 recipient: Carol LeFebvre– Awarded competitively this year and in all future

years

Task Force Accomplishments

Task Force Accomplishments

Suggesting sustainable collaborations with like-minded groups– New roles for MLA International Cooperation

Section– MLA coordination with NLM and NN/LM

Task Force Accomplishments

Mechanism for providing information assistance and training. Ideas:

Fund for any MLA member to apply to provide information training

– Successful applicants would report via blog post or podcast to Librarians without Borders web page

MLA statement regarding importance of information assistance in times of crisis

Formal MLA collaboration with Canadian Librarians without Borders group

International Cooperation Section

ICS, “provides opportunities for participation in international cooperation projects, promotes awareness of international issues, provides a mechanism for addressing and responding to the needs of international members, and fosters communication in the international library area.” (http://ics.mlanet.org/)

Possible ICS Roles for LWB

Mentorship database– Would facilitate development of cadre of mentors

interested in international work

Clearinghouse for information about MLA’s agreements with other library organizations

Continued promotion of sister library initiatives

NLM

NLM Long Range Plan Goal: “Ensure continuous access to health

information and effective use of libraries and librarians when disasters occur.”– Recommendation: Formal MLA-NLM partnership

to enable timely assistance from MLA members in times of crisis.

NN/LM Emergency Preparedness Initiatives

NN/LM has developed an Emergency Preparedness Toolkit and Response Plan– http://nnlm.gov/ep/

Recommendation: Formal MLA endorsement/partnership of this initiative

Would enable MLA members to provide assistance closer to home

Conclusion

Task force participation rewarding– Many tangible accomplishments

Most important accomplishment:– Ideas for solidifying enthusiasm about LWB within

culture and programs of MLA

Questions/comments welcome!