Inform the World - Library Skills Exchange
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OverviewOn this page: Deposits are due Feb 25, 2004 SummaryThe ITW Library Skills Exchange is a 4-week hands on volunteer program during which participants work together to create libraries that inspire learning. At the beginning of the program, ITW volunteers and their South African colleagues receive three days of in-country training. They then travel together to rural KwaZulu Natal or Limpopo to spend 3.5 weeks working on projects. The volunteers will work in teams of at least two. Conditions at individual sites may vary widely. Creativity and flexibility are therefore indispensable tools for being an effective volunteer. Most volunteers stay in homes without electricity or running water. They bathe using buckets and have outdoor pit toilets. Some volunteers may stay in homes or guest houses with more amenities. The trip culminates with a book fair where African librarians, often for the first time in their lives, choose books and other materials for their libraries. Dates:Four Week Program: there are two groups going to different locations Limpopo: July 12 - August 12 KwaZulu Natal (KZN): July 16 - August 17 Eligibility:WLP invites individuals over the age of 18 who love libraries to apply for the program (undergraduates, please see the undergraduate program). In particular, we encourage participation from librarians and library science students, teachers and IT professionals. Individuals with a background in community organizing, adult education, training, and theatre are also encouraged to apply. There are many other skills and experiences that will enable individuals to make significant contributions as a volunteer, so do not hesitate to apply if you feel you have something to contribute. The most important characteristics of a successful volunteer are flexibility, a love of libraries, a sense of adventure and the ability to adapt to very basic living conditions. Cost:The cost of the trip is $2,500. This includes:
Note: Airfare is NOT included in the cost of the trip. See cost detail for a breakdown of the costs. WLP raises funds for a general ITW scholarship fund. WLP distributes this funding equally among all the volunteers requesting financial assistance. WLP can provide materials and suggestions to help volunteers secure additional funding from other sources. The NeedIn the communities served by the ITW program:
The knowledge and information available in a library can help these communities with the economic and education decisions they are making right now -decisions that will affect their communities for generations. WLP is also working with Adult Basic Education centers where possible to develop literacy skills among adults. ITW Past and PresentThe WLP South Africa ITW Program teaches schools and communities how to collect, create, share and use information in innovative ways that promote learning and development at all levels. Since 1998, 125 volunteers have worked with many libraries in Zimbabwe, Honduras and South Africa. Most rural African librarians are volunteers with little or no formal training in how to organize and run a library. ITW volunteers and African librarians have done exciting and creative projects. In 2003, volunteers held teacher workshops, read to children, created displays, made books, held open houses and organized library user committees. They laughed, ate worked and sang with teachers and students - all for the love of books and reading. The actual tasks performed by each volunteer have and will vary depending on the needs at each site. The goal of the program is not so much for the volunteers to perform library tasks, such as book processing, as to build the skills of librarians, community volunteers, teachers, members of the library committee and other library users. The method is to teach by doing, which means working and living side-by-side with a host librarian during the project. 2004 ProjectsStarting in summer 2003, WLP made a 3 year commitment to the libraries listed below. The theme for 2003 was basic library management. Volunteers conducted many projects focused on building basic library services. For example, they started library clubs, "workshoped" teachers on the importance of the library, held open houses, "wowed" learners, promoted reading through many fun activities and helped establish basic policies. Please see our newsletter for more information about the 2003 projects. The theme for 2004 is information literacy. We would like the volunteers to continue some of the activities begun in 2003, while adding a greater emphasis on information literacy. It is WLP's goal to provide our volunteers with model activities during training, while still leaving room for individual expertise, creativity and interests. After meeting with our teacher/librarian advisory committees, we feel the libraries would find the following activities most helpful in 2004:
Obviously, we do not expect every team of volunteers to accomplish all of the above activities. Time is limited and each volunteer will have his/her own talents and interests. We feel the above activities are of high interest to the libraries and that they are interrelated. Working on even 2-3 activities will, in many cases, help encourage activities in other areas and raise over-all support for the libraries. Communities and LibrariesParticipating communities and their libraries in Limpopo Province are:
Participating communities and their libraries in KwaZulu Natal are:
For more detailed information and pictures simply click on Limpopo Province or KwaZulu Natal. PartnershipsWLP will be partnering with some wonderful South African organizations. After all, we are the World Library Partnership! Check back later for updates:
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