Course:LIBR562/S2012/Group3/Professional Associations

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For Polynesians, library associations “encourage development of librarianship in the region as well as linking librarians professionally.” [1] Again, the vast distance between professionals in this region makes for several challenges (most obviously, bringing professionals together and ongoing communication). Esther Batiri Williams, in her 1998 report to UNESCO, notes several additional challenges faced by library associations in the South Pacific: “The problems identified by the associations include: difficulty in recruiting members; difficulty in obtaining commitment from members to work on projects; lack of funds to develop projects; lack of recognition of the professional at the government level.” [2] Activities undertaken by South Pacific library associations most likely to impact the library services of Polynesia's small island states include education, advocacy, and networking. Though few and far between, the professional associations that work to support information services in Polynesia are a vital part of the solution to help break down geographical, cultural, professional, and financial barriers faced by this region.

List of Associations

Regional library associations bring together professionals working in Polynesian libraries. At present, Samoa and Tonga are the only other island groups in Polynesia identified to have local library associations. Following is a list of regional professional associations serving the South Pacific:


Conference of Directors of National Libraries in Asia and Oceania(CDNLAO): The CDNLAO “meets every two to three years to discuss library issues of common interest and to promote resource and information sharing within the Asia Pacific region.”[3] In addition to offering membership and a newsletter, the CDNLAO produces the Libraries of Asia Pacific (LAP) Directory. The LAP website offers “a single point for retrieval of information about the functions, services and collections of Libraries in Asia and the Pacific region.”[4]


IFLA Regional Standing Committee of Asia and Oceania (RSCAO): The International Federation of Library Associations’ (IFLA) Asia and Oceania Section exists to “initiate, promote and facilitate the development of library and information services and the library profession within the five sub-regions of Asia and Oceania: West Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania.”[5] The RSCAO’s most recently published strategic plan identifies training opportunities, collaboration with other IFLA sections, strengthening library associations, promoting high standards, and communication amongst its goals in 2008-2009.[6] The RSCAO also offers workshops and produces a bi-annual newsletter.


Pacific Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (PARBICA): PARBICA was formed in 1981 and is “is one of thirteen branches of the International Council on Archives (ICA) covering the most diverse and largest geographic area.” [7] Polynesian member nations include Samoa, French Polynesia, Tonga, Niue, Cook Islands, Samoa, and Tuvalu.[8] Supporting the purposes of the ICA, PARBICA “is a professional organisation that comprises government archives, non-government archival institutions and associations, and individual members representing more than twenty nations, states and territories in the North and South Pacific, including Australia, Hawaii and New Zealand.” .[9] As per the PARBICA website, key objectives of the association are to strengthen relations between archivists, promote archival heritage, facilitate use of archives, organize activities, assist with training, and cooperate with all those concerned with documentation.[10] Current priorities (within the last ten years) include: developing guidelines and manuals to support improved recordkeeping, increasing educational opportunities, publishing a reader of classic and new articles on archives in the Pacific, a needs assessment for distance learning, a scientific trial of low-cost storage options, and advocacy (legislation).[11]


Pacific Islands Association of Libraries and Archives (PIALA): Though they have a special focus on Micronesia, PIALA is “a regional association committed to fostering awareness and encouraging cooperation and resource sharing among libraries, archives and museums and related institutions of the Pacific Islands.”[12] PIALA has ties with both the Hawaii Library Association and the American Library Association.[13]

References

  1. ↑ Williams, E.B. (1998). Information Needs in the Pacific Islands: Needs Assessment for Library, Archive, Audiovisual Collection and ICT Development in the Pacific Islands. A Report Prepared for UNESCO, Apia, Samoa.
  2. ↑ Williams, E.B. (1998). Information Needs in the Pacific Islands: Needs Assessment for Library, Archive, Audiovisual Collection and ICT Development in the Pacific Islands. A Report Prepared for UNESCO, Apia, Samoa.
  3. ↑ Libraries of Asia Pacific Director. (n.d.). About the Conference of Directors of National Libraries of Asia and Oceania (CDNLAO). http://www.nla.gov.au/lap/aboutcd.html. Retrieved June 2012.
  4. ↑ Libraries of Asia Pacific Directory. (2003). About the Libraries of Asia Pacific Directory. http://www.nla.gov.au/lap/aboutcd.html. Retrieved June 2012.
  5. ↑ IFLA. (2011). About the Asia and Oceania Section. http://www.ifla.org/en/about-the-asia-and-oceania-section. Retrieved June 2012.
  6. ↑ INFLANET. 2008. Asia and Oceania Section. http://archive.ifla.org/VII/s26/annual/sp26-2009.htm. Retrieved June 2012.
  7. ↑ PARBICA. (n.d.). About PARBICA. http://www.parbica.org/about.htm. Retrieved June 2012.
  8. ↑ Ibid.
  9. ↑ Ibid.
  10. ↑ Ibid.
  11. ↑ PARBICA. (n.d.). Projects. http://www.parbica.org/projects.htm. Retrieved June 2012.
  12. ↑ PIALA. (2011). History of PIALA. https://sites.google.com/site/pialaorg/history. Retrieved June 2012.
  13. ↑ Ibid.
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