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APSIG NewsletterUN Information Centre visit a hit with Canberra librariansOn 28 March 2007, APSIG organised a visit to the new United Nations Information Centre for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific in National Circuit, Barton. For internationally minded APSIG members and Canberra colleagues, the Centre is a great resource and they were delighted to welcome Toni Smith, the Library Manager and her staff, to the capital. It is part of a world-wide network of UN centres which provide information of all types - print, Internet-based and direct - on the major international body working for peace, justice and better lives especially in poorer countries.
Formerly located in Sydney, their move is an acknowledgement of the importance of the UN to the Australia government and other international and regional bodies located in Canberra. The Information Centre acts as for Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. It is the major contact point on all UN activities so they must be prepared to respond on many different topics within the UN ambit. The Director, Mr Abdullah Saleh Mbamba, welcoming us, said that he was very pleased to outline for us the role of the United Nations in the world and his audience appreciated hearing how diverse and wide-ranging is its role. As librarians and information providers, we are particularly aware of the importance of the UN.
Mr Mbamba, originally from Tanzania, has gained experience in a number of countries including the United States and Great Britain. He has worked for the United Nations since 1983 most recently in Islamabad and Jakarta. He holds a master's degree in leadership and liberal studies from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and labour studies from the State University of New York. The UN website is at http://www.un.org.au/ The Barton library is open to the public. Telephone (61-2) 6273 8200 : email : library@un.org.au.nospam (please remove '.nospam' from address) Toni Smith is very happy to help and can be contacted on tsmith@un.org.au.nospam Deveni moves onAfter almost six challenging and rewarding years as Library Manager at the Charles Sturt University School of Theology at St Mark's, Canberra, Deveni Temu (APSIG Convenor) has now moved to the ANU Library to take up the position of Pacific Resources Officer in Menzies. In this position, Deveni is responsible for Pacific collection development and for providing information advice to patrons. Deveni is also responsible for reviewing the content of major donations from retired Pacific scholars and researchers and, in this role, Deveni works closely with Karina Taylor, the Pacific Archivist, and Ewan Maidment, Executive Officer of the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau.
Their task is to ensure that all archival research papers, manuscripts and publications are accepted into the Library collections to further strengthen the Library's coverage of the Pacific subject areas.(Deveni Temu) Asian Resources Database needs an editorThe Asian Resources Database, now available on RMIT Publishing, both on CD and online as ASIANRES, was first established in 1994 by APSIG with a grantof $20,782 from the Australian Council of Libraries and Information Services(ACLIS). The database was developed by Nereida Cross of the University ofNew South Wales. The aim of the project was to "uncover, describe and critically assesselectronic databases on Asia accessible from Australia" with the hope that the results "would be available in the public domain on the Internet" and that "a printed guide to the databases will be published." The search to find a host for the database resulted in it being mounted by Informit in 1995, which is now commercially run as RMIT Publishing. For a few years after its establishment, the database was maintained and updated by Susan MacDougall, formerly on the Committee of APSIG, but was discontinued from 2001, following her retirement. The fact that the Database is still offered by RMIT Publishing, even though out-of-date, suggests that it is still a worthwhile product. But it is embarrassing professionally for Asian librarians that an out-of-date and unmaintained database should still be offered. RMIT Publishing pays some royalties annually, although they are not high for the amount of work involved for a directory database that doesn_tnecessarily grow in size. If you wish to provide information to add to the database, or are interested in taking on updating the Asian Resources Database yourself, please contact Susan on smacdougall@actewagl.net.au for further discussion. Hidden Treasures Conference in HawaiiThe Hidden Treasures conference from 15-16 March was a sequel to the Pacific Collections conference held at the University of Hawaii in November 1998. These two key conferences have provided the opportunity for specialist Pacific Islands librarians to meet, review and consolidate their common interests. Similar themes are now also pursued in the regular library/archives sessions at the biannual Pacific History Association conferences. It should be noted, however, that these meetings are tangential to the PARBICA conferences which mainly address the requirements of Pacific government archives. This difference was accentuated by the resolution passed at the final session of the Hidden Treasures conference to form a Pacific Studies Library Association. A number of the papers given at the Hidden Treasures conference focused, as Karen Peacock pointed out, on finding appropriate and culturally sensitive ways of accessing Pacific Islands materials. Keynote speakers reporting on moves towards bi-culturalism in Aoteoroa-New Zealand set the tone of the conference. Robert Sullivan, a UH academic and Maori poet, advocated the formation of a Maori library or 'knowledge institution' emphasizing Maori language and culture - a combined museum, archive and information centre, with a primary mission to serve Maori communities. David Kukutai Jones, a Maori Specialist at the Turnbull Library, discussed how acknowledgement of Maori equality and rights is reflected in the management of Maori materials in libraries - "ensuring survival of people through managing their documentary heritage". He noted there are 200 professional graduates in Maori Information Management in museums, libraries and archives in New Zealand.
Detailed talks on Hawaiian collection content and development were given by Dore Minatodani on digitisation and building the UH Hawaiian Collection in the absence of an Hawaiian National Library; by Kawika Makanani on materials available for the UH Liberal Arts Program which requires fluency in the Hawaiian language; by Helen Wong Smith on the Ulukau Land Database in the Hawaiian Collection; and by Puakea Nogelmeier on digitisation of Hawaiian language newspapers. Reports from other Pacific Islands included: Justina Nicholas on a new emphasis in the Ministry of Culture on publication of Cook Islands cultural, linguistic and historical materials; Tina Rehuher on the diverse activities of the Palau National Museum; John Pagolu comparing higher education library facilities and practices in PNG and the Marshall Islands; Libby Fong on accommodating the diversity of Islanders who use the USP Library in Suva; and June Norman outlining the rapid development of the National Library of Vanuatu. Reports from established Pacific collections included: Karen Peacock on UH Pacific Collection digitisation projects; Diane Woods on some little known Pacific collections at the Turnbull Library; Kathryn Wellen on Pacific language materials, rare books, official documents, movies, prints, photographs, maps and manuscripts at the Library of Congress; Kathy Creely outlining the major collections of anthropologists' papers and photographs in the Melanesian Archive at UC San Diego; and Stephen Innes on the Western Pacific Archives and other Pacific collections at the University of Auckland Library, asking sceptically whether there may be problems separating indigenous knowledge, leading to Maori loss of access to Pakeha knowledge.
I gave a keynote presentation on the PMB and Pacific Islands archival infrastructure, pointing to the vulnerability archival institutions in the Islands, particularly government archives in Melanesia, and searching for signs that governments will recognise a need to strengthen their record keeping capacity. Copies of the paper are available from the PMB on request.
Ewan Maidment Making a difference in Flores and West TimorA project to develop small collections of books in selected village schools in Flores and West Timor has been undertaken since 2002 by the Canberra-based NGO, Nusatenggara Association (NTA-East Indonesia Aid), in conjunction with local Indonesian NGOs. The areas in which the project is implemented are among the poorest in the whole of Asia and right on Australia's doorstep. The project has two aspects. Firstly, providing small collections of textbooks and reading material in the Indonesian language. Secondly, the provision of basic training in library management for primary school teachers. Progress, measured by Australian standards, is slow, but the staff of the schools remain committed and enthusiastic and despite an unbelievable lack of financial resources, it is possible to see advances in the collections and the services which are available. Particularly in Flores, where training has been in place longer and more consistently, it is now possible to see rows of well-cared for, labelled, and catalogued books proudly standing on specially made bookshelves. Small card catalogues exist and basic loan systems are in place. Students are permitted to borrow books and take them home for up to three days at a time.
One of the most pleasing aspects of the progress is the enthusiasm of senior children to work as library assistants. Training on Flores is undertaken by the Head Librarian of the Catholic Seminary at Ledalero, outside of Maumere, Mr. Stef Meo. This Seminary is a tertiary educational institution and one of the largest Catholic seminaries in the world. "Pak Stef", as he is known, has conducted courses for the teachers at his own institution, as well as visiting the schools to provide on-the-job training.
Formal training in West Timor only commenced in 2006, so progress there is less advanced. Mr. Frans Wayan, the Head Librarian at the Catholic University Widya Mandira in Kupang has provided one training session over two days to teachers from 13 schools on the island of Semau and to 8 schools in South Central Timor. Here it is obvious that these primary school teachers in remote villages still have a lack of understanding of the concept of libraries and any familiarity with the use of libraries. Far from imagining these schools could be linked by computers to the Internet or make use of automated catalogues, many of these schools still do not have electricity. One of the real issues of any development assistance program is how to ensure the progress is sustainable. Teachers, the P&C members and other stakeholders are being taught to gradually bear the costs of library maintenance and development themselves. In this way, the libraries will continue to grow and the embryonic collections that exist will not end up just as dusty, decaying piles of unused, out of date material. (George Miller) Hallstrom Pacific Collection now at ANUThe magnificent Hallstrom Pacific Collection, owned by the National Library of Australia since 1997, is currently on long-term loan to the Australian National University Library. This valuable collection has its origins in 1948 when Sir Edward Hallstrom donated 10,000 pounds to the Commonwealth Government to acquire books and other library materials for the Pacific Affairs and colonial administration library. This collection later formed part of the library of the Australian School of Pacific Administration (ASOPA) at Mosman, New South Wales. The collection numbers over 1,600 items. Many of the titles are on Pacific, Asian and Australian colonial administration history, exploration, anthropology and other related subject areas. Many of these books are considered rare. The oldest item, dated 1681, is An historical relation of the island of Ceylon in the East Indies by Robert Knox. The most valuable would without doubt be the first edition of John Gould's five-volume Birds of New Guinea. Many of the Hallstrom Pacific Collection titles have been cross-checked against the ANU Library holdings and a good number of them are already held. The long-term loan of this historical collection has come at an opportune time for the Pacific Centre where a team of academics is developing courses for Pacific Studies to be offered at ANU in 2008. This collection can only consolidate the extensive Pacific resources now available for Pacific researchers, scholars, students and others at ANU and in the region. Grants to smallest island nations$320,000 worth of grants have been made to Barbados, Cape Verde, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Jamaica, Mauritius,Niue, Papua New Guinea, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Trinidad andTobago. The grants were awarded by a UNESCO body, the Bureau of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) for thirteen national projects. The projects span a range of media concerns, such as:
Approved regional projects include one for the training of journalists in hurricane coverage in the Caribbean. It aims at improving knowledge, quality preparedness and response to hurricanes and other weather disasters in the area. Its long-term objective is to improve the communicative capacity of media professionals and the people they serve, and to develop tools for a more effective coverage of the hurricane season.
At its annual meeting held from 27 to 29 March 2007, the IPDC examined 110 new national and regional proposals for media development projects. 74 projects coming from 59 countries were approved totalling to $1,867,000. Mark Perkins Memory of the World come to CanberraCommunities and Memories - a global perspective : Preliminary announcement The third UNESCO International Memory of the World Conference will be held in the National Library of Australia, Canberra, 19-22 February, 2008. In the 15 years since the UNESCO Memory of the World programme was established much has been achieved. The time is now ripe to celebrate its many successes, to identify its shortcomings and to propose potential improvements. The Conference will be held in association with representatives from the Intangible Cultural Heritage sector and will be preceded by a meeting of the Regional Memory of the World Committee for the Asia-Pacific Region (MOWCAP) on 17-18 February. The conference program is now being planned around five key topics:
Eminent invited speakers will deliver keynote papers to open up these topics and ample discussion time will allow active contributions from all conference participants. The final day will be devoted to workshops examining issues such as determining significance, submitting nominations, and establishing and developing national committees. Preliminary information is available at http://www.amw.org.au where you may register your interest in the conference and receive updates as the program develops. Contact: Alan Howell, Website Manager, UNESCO Australian Memory of the World program at alan.howell@preservationsolutionsaustralia.com.au International library conferences in SingaporeINTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DUBLIN CORE & METADATA APPLICATIONS, 27-31 August 2007 The Annual Dublin Core Conference brings together leading metadata researchers and professionals from around the world. This year it will be held in Singapore at the Inter-continental Hotel. DC-2007's theme is "Application Profiles: Theory and Practice" seeking to explore the conceptual and practical issues in the development and deployment of application profiles to meet the needs of specific communities of practice. The website is http://www.dc2007.sg 10th IFLA INTERLENDING AND DOCUMENT SUPPLY (ILDS) INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, 29-31 October 2007 The 3-day conference will bring together over 200 information and knowledge professionals and business leaders from all over the world to engage in insightful exchanges on the theme "Resource Sharing for the Future, Building Blocks for Success". http://www.nlbconference.com/ilds/registration.htm For more information, registration, programme or accommodation, visit the website at http://www.nlb.gov.sg/ilds or email queries to jenny@singex.com.sg.nosapm (please remove '.nospam' from address)
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