Public Libraries and the Democratic Process

8:30am Monday 21 August 2006

Lesley Burger opened the discussion with an outline of our current international situations and talked about libraries in a period of political instability , natural disasters and environmental concerns.

Other current issues:

• Censorship and Internet Content
• Immigration Debate
• The world of terrorism

Role of public libraries in facilitating debate on the shaping of social policy and empowering people to have their say.

Other Outreach programs mentioned:

• Invite your politicians to meet constituents in your library e.g. a couple of hours per month
  
  
• 'Get a Librarian on the Case' - activism on local issues
  
  
• Radio station interviewed people in the library about 'what makes a good book'

The importance of engaging the media properly to help the cause of public libraries was noted. The case of the 'Libraries are sexy' example from Sweden was given.

Also the Love Libraries Campaign from the UK (one of my favourites - and I would love to do this in Australia).

Public Librarians should consider hosting relatively spontaneous public meetings in the library to respond to current local issues that the community may want to get together on.

The following international issues were raised by the group:

• Collecting in public libraries - poses the dilemma of what the people want vs well balanced collections (likened to the UK Schools Meals example - it used to be healthy, then the kids got what they wanted (junkfood) then we got obese, and now we are implementing healthy meals again)
  
  
• Best Practice Outreach - public libraries are often reaching to the main 'core' of the community, rather than the real non-users
  
  
• How to extend the public library beyond the collection

Danish libraries, like Australia are also facing the issues surrounding internet filtering.

How can the Reference Librarian can give information in the process of democracy - they find the information to help people make a decision.

Some librarians noted that it is difficult to be 'liberal' when the funding for your library comes from the government with a particular view/agenda.

There was a discussion of the training of librarians in their civic responsibility on how they can play a role in their society.

How do you challenge the public to think about the public library in a different way

Australia's Kerry Smith contributed to the discussion identifying the wish that there were more 'Bolshy Librarians' in the profession. (this comment received applause from the group)