Building Strong Library Associations (BSLA) for Development and Advocacy

1. Train the trainers and BSLA strategy meeting

2. Agenda for today’s meeting

3. Agenda for today’s meeting

4. IFLA ALP • The Action for Development through Libraries Programme (IFLA ALP) is a strategic programme of IFLA • ALP provides development and training programmes, online learning and other opportunities • IFLA ALP delivers the Building Strong Library Associations (BSLA) programme

5. Building Strong Library Associations programme

6. Building Strong Library Associations programme • Strong library associations support and enrich society and the library and information profession. They unite a country’s library community around a common platform for advocacy and development of the profession. • Building Strong Library Associations (BSLA) helps library associations to: • Improve services for library users • Provide equitable access to information • Develop the library and information profession

7. IFLA BSLA programme components

8. Training package modules • Library Associations in Society • Building Your Library Association • Sustaining your Library Association • Developing Strategic Relationships: Partnerships and Fundraising • Libraries on the Agenda

9. Country Projects: Updates “This BSLA programme is just in time for our association”

10. Botswana “The Botswana Library Community needs a common forum to share ideas”

11. Peru “In the CBP election race […] two very active campaigns, including TV interviews. The number of voters exceeded expectations, 45% of members participated”

12. Lithuania “It is very important to have strong leaders in association. We need to grow them”

13. Cameroon “They own and believe in BSLA”

14. BSLA strategy until 2016 • IFLA will carry 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 2013-2016. • These regions have growing demand for library services that can support education, literacy, information for the community, and access to electronic information services and delivery. • There is also a need for certainty to secure libraries, library services and access to information within government legislative frameworks.

15. Regional development • IFLA will bring the programme to more countries by delivering activities at the regional level where participants will be encouraged to think strategically about needs across the region, and in their own countries. • Associations will have the opportunity to apply for small project funding to implement further workshops and activities utilizing BSLA materials, develop partnerships, and strategies.

16. BSLA capacity building objectives • The BSLA programme aims for improved: • Association governance, leadership, strategy, and membership • Partnerships and collaboration within the sector • Advocacy on behalf of library communities and professionals • The objective of BSLA is to empower national associations to stand up for libraries and their users

17. Timeline of activities

19. Purpose of this convening • Build networks by • Building trust and relationships to enable collaboration on shared issues • Learn about similar organisations in the region • Build community among people with a view to cooperation and partnership in the future • And share learning by • Participating in and helping to facilitate workshops and other activities • Learning from the examples of other people and organisations

20. Purpose of this convening • The primary purpose is to Influence, Align and Act • Which it will do by: • Developing shared understanding of an association’s role • Learning how to identify and prioritise needs in-country and in the region • Developing the ability to think strategically about the political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental (PESTLE) landscape, and using this to an advantage for libraries • Its purpose will not include: • Learning how to fundraise • Learning how to develop your own library

21. Objectives • Reinforce inter-country networks and expertise to support development in the regions • Increase understanding and adoption of IFLA policies and manifestos to support high quality library and information services • Promote strong, credible associations that effectively represent the sector through improved leadership, governance, partnerships and membership • Provide a foundation for sustained development and advocacy

22. Learning model • The learning model for the BSLA convening is designed to encourage: • Innovation • Collaboration • Engagement • Participants are encouraged to learn from each other in small and large groups, have the opportunity to apply new knowledge and ideas through examples, reflection and practical application to their own situations. • Participants will have developed or honed their skills in networking and collaboration. This will be accomplished through a range of activities including small group work, brainstorming, mini-workshops and peer review.

23. Role of trainers • Trainers play a key facilitation and mentoring role in workshops and projects • Core trainers are senior professionals with deep expertise in library associations, building partnerships, and advocacy  • IFLA trainers deliver training and activities in both a face-to-face and online learning environment depending on the needs of each library community • In country projects, they travel to the country at least 3 times to deliver workshops and participate in meetings

24. Morning break • Any questions?

25. Convening programme • Overview of sessions • We have pre-assigned workshops to each trainer, and leaders for group sessions – but we can still make changes if you prefer a different session

26. Programme structure Topic Content Introduction Discussion Activity Case Study Learning Objectives for the topic are introduced The topic is presented Additional material is available in slides and the trainers manual Workshop participants discuss the topic, and the experience of their own association Group work and practical exercises put learning into practice, and assess learning objectives Exercises are relevant – such as drafting strategic plans Case studies are based on experiences of other associations, and bring real life examples to the workshops Additional opportunities for discussion and learning

27. Tips and tricks as you prepare for your presentations • Take the time • The standard preparation time is three hours for every hour of training. It seems like a lot, but it’s worth it in the end • Learn the material • Know the material inside and out and make your own notes about the information so you can use the power point presentation as a resource, not a crutch, and can answer questions correctly • Use your own words • The training will be more interesting for participants, and you will be more confident if you know the salient points well enough to be able to express them with your own unique style • Use your experiences to illustrate the point • Personalizing information with your own your own anecdotes or other tactics will enhance the impact of the slides and handouts.

28. Case studies • Twenty case studies have been developed • A typical case study presents a picture of a specific aspect of library association practice to build on the training content • You are encouraged to think critically about the information presented, and to consider a suitable solution

29. Developing action plans for the region and each national association • A critical outcome of this convening will be for each association to create a development proposal, and an action plan for follow-up • Each association will be asked to finalise their action plan when they get home, seeking the support of their board • Many of the sessions this week will help associations with these documents • After the convening, associations will be invited to turn their documents into a project proposal

30. Key questions for associations • What is our association’s priority or goal this year? • How did we decide? • Which external factors or trends (social, cultural, technological, political and/or environmental factors or trends) influenced our association’s decision? • What work have we already done to reach this goal?

31. Lunch • Any questions?

32. Convening components • We will progress through these activities: • Understanding association and library sector landscape • Identifying and prioritizing association needs • Identifying and prioritizing regional needs • Developing action plans • Developing proposals • Evaluation • The process is iterative, and associations will be revising their ideas and plans during the week

33. Afternoon Break • Any questions?

34. Post-convening activities • Evaluation • Projects • Funding • Opportunities for training • Role of the regional office

35. Follow-up activities and project funding • Projects could include support to: • Implement BSLA workshops and activities at existing events eg national and regional library association conferences; • Deliver projects in-country, such as a series of BSLA workshops and activities; • Implement IFLA advocacy projects or policies; • ​ Undertake projects bringing together a smaller number of associations in the region to form alliances or partnerships in pursuit of advocacy goals. • Associations will have several opportunities to apply for project funds between 2014-2016, as needs and priorities evolve.

36. Project funds • Associations will be able to apply for approximately 5000 EUR of project funding. • For larger projects, or large regional projects IFLA will work with the Regional Office to identify further funding sources. • Associations therefore can develop proposals for large or small projects depending on their needs

37. What makes a successful project? • Good support from association leadership • Clear understanding of BSLA objectives • Realistic assessment of risks • Manageable size and objectives • Plan for sustainability

38. Direct associations towards… • Future-looking proposals for the changing nature of the sector • Partnership with organisations that can provide in-kind support like workshop space, shared staff • Opportunities for BSLA workshops at national or regional conferences • Strengthening membership, governance, partnerships • Collaborating with other associations at this convening, or in the region

39. Direct associations away from… • Projects that include association staffing or office space: very few associations can afford this in a sustainable way • Proposals for conferences – make the most of existing events

40. Cascade (train the trainer) workshops • Cascade (train the trainer) approaches are encouraged in proposals • 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 • This workshop is an example of train the trainer: you will gain skills that you can use to train other people

41. Impact evaluation and BSLA • 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

42. Role of IFLA and regional offices • IFLA Headquarters manages the programme overall • Regional offices support the implementation of each country project, needs assessment and impact baseline. Projects are monitored and evaluated regularly • In-country teams have ownership of their project, goals and activities

43. More information about the programme and access to the Online Learning Platform: http://www.ifla.org/bsla/