APSIG Newsletter [50] - November 2002

Guidelines for assistance to library and information personnel in developing countries

Introduction

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) welcomes requests from international library and information personnel for assistance to develop their professional education and career opportunities. This document outlines the assistance ALIA is able to offer.

Section 1. Duration and types of assistance available

Membership to ALIA
ALIA is able to provide free association membership to library and information professionals for two years. This length of time is to allow successful applicants to form working partnerships with their Australian counterparts in Groups within the ALIA. This partnership or 'mentoring' program will provide an opportunity for increased understanding of each other's work facilities, environments and client services.
Memberships will be limited to personnel who will not normally be (nor have been recently) a member of ALIA.
Training and study tours within Australia.
ALIA has been and continues to be responsible for setting the high standards of librarianship held in Australia. The Association has access to a number of highly qualified and experienced personnel who are able to provide training and study tours for international colleagues from within the Asia Pacific Region*.
Study tours provide an opportunity for library and information personnel to compare practices, explore new ideas and practices, take part in short training programs etc. the duration of these programs is expected to be generally no longer than 4-8 weeks.

Nominees are required to include appropriate supporting documents and a brief explanation of expected outcomes of the training or visit. The application for assistance must describe how the training/study tour is relevant to the professional development of the nominee and also to the improvement of their institution.
Attendance at an ALIA conference or seminar
Conferences and seminars are effective means of disseminating and exchanging professional knowledge to librarians and information personnel from other nations. As such they provide valuable forums for the professional development of all participants.
ALIA holds a biennial conference and various ALIA groups organise seminars and activities that focus on specific professional topics.

Successful applicants attending ALIA conferences and seminars will be provided with (one) free, full registration. Limited assistance with travelexpenses may be available. Active participation in a conference be it paper, poster session or similar would be a pre-requisite of the application for funding. Such papers must also be relevant to an applicant's country and work.

Section 2. Criteria for assistance

The nominee will:

be a citizen of, and work in a developing country. This includes those countries firstly as defined below as part of the Asia Pacific Region* and then other countries defined as 'developing ' by the United Nations Human Development Indicators, as used by the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA);
currently work in a library, information centre or other information related capacity;
reside in the Asia Pacific Region*, in accordance with the guidelines or the International Relations Policy Advisory Group;
have a level of English, which is sufficient to enable them to participate and benefit from the sponsored activity. This level will vary, depending on the particular activity that is to be undertaken. For example, an applicant who is to address a conference must be sufficiently fluent in English to do this. However, an applicant who is to undertake a study tour, and work with Australian colleagues fluent in the relevant language, will not require the same level of English;
not normally has been the recipient of previous assistance from ALIA.

Asia Pacific region
For the purposes of providing funding support, the Asia Pacific Region is considered to include: Papua New Guinea; All Pacific Island countries; Asian countries.

In any given calendar year, citizens from other countries and regions may consider for support if funding is available.

Funding issues

Funding assistance to our overseas colleagues is very limited. It is imperative that applicants seek financial assistance from any local or international philanthropic organisations before applying to ALIA. A listing of such resources is included at the end of this document

Travel Issues

The processing of legal and travel documents is the responsibility of the applicant, although under special circumstances, ALIA may offer advice on suitable avenues to assist the applicant. Please note that visas to enter Australia are required for all countries except New Zealand. Further information regarding visas or travel documentation can be obtained from the Australian High Commission, Embassy or Consulate in the applicant's country, or on the Australian Government websites: http://www.dfat.gov.au/travel/ and http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/visa_info/.

Nominations

Individuals may be nominated by their organisation or other appropriate professional bodies. Self nominations are also accepted. All nominations should include:

a current résumé
two referee statements with the contact details for the referees, including telephone and fax numbers and e-mail addresses.
a typed signed statement, which includes information about the candidate's professional career, why this person should be granted assistance and any other related functions that would help to qualify the person for assistance. Full name, position, business address, telephone, fax numbers and e-mail address of the nominee must also be included.

All applications must be submitted for consideration by 1 March and 1 September each year.

Funding resources

Below is a listing of some resources available for grants and awards, which cover library and information personnel and libraries generally:

The Australian Directory of Philanthropy - 10th edition 2000-2001

International Seminar Support Scheme (ISSS)

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations

Andrew W Mellon Foundation

Council for the International Exchange of Scholars
(Administers the Fulbright program.)

Council on International Educational Exchange (Sponsors International Faculty Development Seminars )

UNAL (UNESCO Network of Associated Libraries) - Establishes contacts for co-operative partnerships for public libraries.

US Information Agency
On 1 October 1999, the US Information Agency was abolished. Certain functions of the former agency were transferred to the Department of State. The website identifies the new locations of these functions.

World Bank
...has a Development Mall in which participation by libraries is desired.

A a