APSIG newsletter no. 59: November 2005

The Vanuatu Library Association

The Vanuatu Library Association was established in the early 1990's to unite all persons interested in libraries and librarianship, and to provide support and leadership for the development and improvement of library services. Development of libraries in Vanuatu faces unique challenges. These include low levels of literacy amongst the general population, difficult climatic conditions, inadequate funding and a general lack of awareness amongst key government stakeholders of the value of libraries and the importance of information in both education and the public sector.

Membership is made up of librarians from the Vanuatu National Library, public libraries, academic libraries, and special libraries from government departments and NGO's. The VLA meets regularly each month at a different library and most meetings attract approximately 25 members. The VLA co-ordinates continuing education workshops for its members and provides a scholarship for library education. In 2005 the VLA also re-activated the publication of a regular newsletter. The newsletter is available online from the Vanuatu Library Association website.

Funding of the VLA is via member subscriptions and regular fundraising activities.

2005 President of the Vanuatu Library Association is Peter Murgatroyd (please remove '.nospam' from address), Emalus Campus Librarian at the University of the South Pacific.

Peter Murgatroyd