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IFLA Conference

World Library and Information Congress: 73rd IFLA General Conference and Council

"Libraries for the future: Progress, Development and Partnerships"

19-23 August 2007, Durban, South Africa

Spanish translation  

Call for Papers

Division VIII: Regional Activities &
Action for Development through Libraries Programme Core Activity (ALP)

Theme: Libraries at the Forefront of Grassroots Development

In some parts of society, libraries are often perceived as passive social agencies that provide peripheral services for limited sectors of the population. Not so in developing countries, where libraries are in the midst of development, assisting in the fight against AIDS, illiteracy, the Digital Divide; and providing a focal point for community communication, rebuilding in times of disaster, and a source of inspiration for people of all ages.

Within IFLA a significant aspect of this grassroots development has been ALP, providing resources for small-scale projects aimed at sustainable infrastructures in the wide field of information provision. Across the regions represented by Division VIII there must be many examples of innovative, interesting and inspiring work done by libraries to foster local development, whether with the assistance of ALP or other agencies, or independently.

Accordingly, Division VIII, in association with ALP, issues this call for papers on the topic, "Libraries in the Forefront of Development".

Such papers, whether based on funded projects or otherwise, may include such topics as:
  • Information literacy education
  • Literacy education
  • Library buildings
  • Rebuilding of libraries
  • IT-based services
  • Mobile services
  • Training of librarians
  • Programmes in indigenous languages
  • Case studies of library development agencies.

The list of possible topics is endless, and we would welcome interesting, innovative ideas for presentations. The intention of the Division of Regional Activities is to give a broad sense of how libraries are contributing to development in the regions covered by Division VIII (Africa, Asia and Oceania, Latin America and the Caribbean).

Submissions:
  1. The deadline for submitting a detailed, abstract (500 words) and full author details is 15 january 2007. Selection of papers is based on the abstract, and presenters will be notified by mid-February 2007 at the latest whether they have been successful
  2. The full paper is due on 1 May 2007 and must be an original submission not published elsewhere
  3. Both abstracts and full papers should be submitted as a MS Word file by e-mail; fax or post should be used only as a last resort
  4. Papers should be of 20 pages maximum, double spaced
  5. Papers should be in English with an abstract, and the presenter must be fluent in the English language
  6. 20 minutes will be allowed for a summary delivery of the paper in the Conference
  7. The author(s) should indicate his/her personal full contact details and include a summary curriculum vitae with the paper. Also, a digital photograph would be useful.
Selection:
  • Full abstracts (500 words) should be prepared following the template provided below. Each abstract will be blind reviewed by members of the Division VIII Coordinating Board.
  • Abbreviated abstracts or late submissions will not be considered.
  • Purpose of this paper
    What are the reason(s) for writing the paper (or the aims of the research)?
  • Design/methodology/approach
    How are the objectives achieved? Include the main method(s) used for the study. What is the approach to the topic, and what is the theoretical or subject scope of the paper?
  • Findings
    What was found in the course of the work? This will refer to analysis, discussion, or results.
  • Research limitations/implications (if applicable)
    If research is reported on in the paper, this section must be completed and should include suggestions for future research and any identified limitations in the research process.
  • Practical implications (if applicable)
    What outcomes and implications for practice, applications and consequences are identified? All papers should have practical applications. What changes to practice might be made as a result of this research/paper?
  • What is original/value of paper
    What is new in the paper? State the value of the paper and to whom.

Please send your abstract *by 15 january 2007* to:
Professor Gary Gorman
Div VIII Secretary
E-mail: gary.gorman@vuw.ac.nz

It is likely that there will be more good quality submissions than there are places in the Division VIII and ALP Open Session; in the event that this occurs, these submissions may be offered an opportunity for publication in one of the Emerald Publishing Group journals.

Premila Gamage Secretary - IFLA Regional Standing Committee on Asia and Oceania Librarian Institute of Policy Studies
99, St. Michael's Road
Colombo 3 Sri Lanka
Tel: +94 11 2431368; Fax: +94 11 2431395