Tell Your Library Story with the Public Library Manifesto
In today’s world, public libraries play an essential role in providing access to information, promoting literacy and education, and supporting community development. Libraries have always been a hub of knowledge, but their role has expanded and evolved over the years. To reflect this changing role, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and UNESCO recently updated the Public Library Manifesto.
The updated manifesto takes a closer look at the role of public libraries and how they serve their communities today. It expands on previous versions to reflect the ways libraries are evolving to meet the needs of their patrons.
It’s also a great resource that can help you tell your library’s story.
One of the key additions to the manifesto is the emphasis on the ways in which public libraries contribute to sustainable development goals. Libraries provide access to information, literacy, education, and culture, all of which are essential for building more equitable, humane, and sustainable societies. This means that libraries can help bridge the digital divide by providing access to digital information, resources and digital devices, as well as the skill development and connectivity required to access them.
Another important aspect of the manifesto is its focus on community involvement. Public libraries can facilitate community organizing and provide access to local and indigenous data, knowledge, and heritage. They can also promote scientific progress by providing access to scientific knowledge, research, and health information. Further evidence at a local level for the role of libraries in the health and wellbeing of their communities can be found in the Victorian Public Libraries Network: Libraries for Health and Wellbeing Framework
So, how can you use this manifesto to tell your library’s story? You can start by highlighting the unique ways in which your library is contributing to the goals outlined in the manifesto. Some of the unique ways my library is contributing are linked above.
Libraries have always been a hub of knowledge, but the updated manifesto reflects the ways libraries serve their communities today. It is a testament to the importance of public libraries as a vital resource for everyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or socio-economic background.
In short, the updated Public Library Manifesto is a great tool for telling your library’s story. It provides a framework for understanding the role of public libraries in today’s society and can help you highlight the unique ways in which your library is serving its community. So, go ahead and use the updated Public Library manifesto to showcase the amazing work your library is doing!
Blog post assisted by ChatGPT3 with my experience becoming a new blog post — watch this space!
