Awesome Foundation has an Innovation in Libraries chapter

It can be a challenge to keep the bills paid when you are working to get a new project off the ground.  The Awesome Foundation offers micro-grants of $1000 to help "forward the interest of awesome in the universe." Of course, not every aspiring project gets funded. However, a team of library and information professionals have created a new funding opportunity to help innovative library projects achieve success.

The Awesome Innovation in Libraries Chapter was created "by a small working group of passionate librarians within Library Pipeline who wanted to provide a catalyst for prototyping both technical and non-technical library innovations that embody the principles of diversity, inclusivity, creativity, and risk-taking."

The Chapter awards monthly grants; proposals are due on the 1st and decisions are rendered at the end of the month. There have already been some fantastic projects funded from around the world. Check out the winners so far and then submit your own application!

IFLA Global Vision Latin America and the Caribbean starts with an inspiring address by the Vice President of the Argentine Republic

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, 9 June 2017—The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is holding its IFLA Global Vision Regional Workshop for Latin America and the Caribbean on 8 and 9 June 2017 at the historic Library of the National Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

The Vice President of the Argentine Republic, Lic. Gabriela Michetti, opened the event welcoming participants and highlighting the key role of libraries–especially public libraries–in providing free and democratic access to information fostering economic and social development. During her opening remarks, she stated: “We are very happy that the Library of the National Congress was chosen as one of IFLA’s Regional Offices, this shows a deserved recognition to the work and the trajectory of the library in the country and in the region”. About the Global Vision Regional Workshop, she mentioned: “It is a pleasure to be here today, and to share this moment with you. I hope you have a very productive and fruitful meeting.” 

IFLA President-elect Glòria Pérez-Salmerón, remarked: “Today we will start a workshop of the IFLA Global Vision Discussion, which is not a project, it is a process. Because we believe that the future is in our hands and that libraries can change how things are in society—for the better.”

IFLA Secretary General Gerald Leitner, emphasized: “For the realization of our ideas we will need the support of visionary policy makers. Today we heard a strong commitment of high political representatives to the central role of libraries for the development of societies.” 

The Latin American Regional Workshop gathers senior representatives of library associations and national libraries of 27 Latin American and Caribbean countries to discuss how a united and connected library field can tackle the challenges of the future. 

This is the forth in a series of six regional workshops taking place around the world. Two more workshops will be held in Singapore (28 – 29 June 2017) and in Madrid, Spain (5 – 6 July 2017).

Read more about the IFLA Global Vision Discussion: globalvision.ifla.org
 
For more information, contact globalvision@ifla.org

German libraries featured at ALA Annual Conference

In 2014, ALA signed an MOU establishing collaboration and partnership with BID (Bibliothek & Information Deutschland), the umbrella organization of German library associations, from 2016 through 2019. Last year, American librarians traveled to Leipzig for the German Library Congress to present talks and papers, and to build personal and professional relationships with our German colleagues. This year, ALA welcomes more than 12 German librarians to Annual Conference in Chicago presenting on best practices and services from Germany that we can emulate in US libraries. All ALA attendees are welcome to attend these sessions featuring our European colleagues.

Libraries in Germany
Sat. June 24, 3:00 – 4:00pm, McCormick Place West - W183b
   Libraries in Germany-- venerable book-museums or modern information facilities? Silence in large reading rooms or conversation and hustle-bustle? Gutenberg or ICT? The library scene in Germany is as multifaceted and exciting as the country itself. We will present insights into trends, new developments, and new structures. We promise that you will soon want to travel to Germany to experience these discoveries yourself!

Serving Refugees: Experiences from German Libraries
Sun. June 25, 1:00 – 2:30pm, McCormick Place West - W181b
   In 2015 there were more than 1 million refugees and asylum-seekers in Germany. The influx of refugees from various cultures, especially from Syria, Afghanistan, the Balkans, and various African countries, is abating. Yet families, young men, and unaccompanied minors are still seeking refuge in Germany. Libraries in Germany have a long tradition of providing multicultural services and resources. Since 2006 an expert panel of the German Library Association has been addressing this topic. The lessons learned from the panel can be used to improve the resources for these user groups in public and academic libraries. There are many challenges, including overcoming language and cultural barriers, and integrating refugees into schools and colleges. Another consideration is staff training and information exchange on the topic using webinars and other channels. A variety of positive and hopeful responses to these challenges will be presented from real-world experiences. 

German Academic Libraries - New Trends in Management
Mon. June 26, 10:30 – 11:30am, McCormick Place West - W181a
   Academic libraries in Germany are constantly changing due to new developments in higher education influenced by digital transformations in research and instruction and study, as well as in reaction to scientific-political impulses. The changes occur in multiple fields, at various speeds, and sometimes simultaneously or unexpectedly. This results in continuous change management that encompasses various factors, such as organizational and personnel development, the library’s service offerings and cooperation with partners within and without the university. Using various examples, new trends in German academic libraries will be illustrated.

Libraries Support Research in Germany
Mon. June 26, 1:00 – 2:30pm, McCormick Place West - W176a
   Academic libraries at German universities support researchers by providing scientific information resources, managing and linking research data, and assisting with open-access publication of research results. A system of specialist information services that puts the interests and needs of the researchers at the forefront has been developed with financial support by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, the German Research Association. The developments in Germany in these areas will be presented using various examples.

Read the June 2017 International Leads

The June 2017 issue of International Leads has just been published. 
This issue features stories on:

• libraries in Cuba
• experiences of an American librarian in Ethiopia
  
• international programming at ALA Annual 2017 in Chicago
• a message on advocacy from IRRT Vice Chair/Chair Elect Loida Garcia-Febo

Lots of great content in this, the last issue under co-editors Gail Sacco and Karen Bordonaro who complete two years of fine work spreading the word on international librarianship.

Why wait? Read the June issue now at http://www.ala.org/irrt/sites/ala.org.irrt/files/content/intlleads/leadsarchive/201706.pdf