Standards & Training Manual for Establishing Village Libraries in South & South-East Asia
Month/Year: June, 1993
Place: Salangor, Malaysia
Organiser: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Malaysia

Introduction

The APPREB Regional Consultation in Kuala Lumpur (2-4 Dec. 1991) approved the project on the preparation of Standards and Training Manual for the establishment of Village Library in South and South East Asia. The Sub-regional Secretariat at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was requested to undertake the project in collaboration with the International Publishing Development Programme (IPDP) as a corresponding member.

The objectives of the project is to prepare:

1. A Standard for Village Library
2. A Training Manual for Village Library Assistants for South and South-East Asia Region.

Strategy Adopted

Owing to the limited funding made available by UNESCO for this project, the Sub-regional Secretariat adopted the following strategies:

1. Data gathering on the state of rural libraries in South and South-East Asia through questionnaires sent out to relevant agencies in the countries concerned.

2. Appointment of a National Working Group

3. A Sub-regional Workshop to be held in Malaysia to finalize the Standards and Training Manual

Methodology

The National Working Group appointed by the Sub-regional Secretariat met to discuss the draft questionnaire prepared by the Secretariat. The group provided valuable input to improve the questionnaires. Questionnaires were then sent to 17 countries (in the South and South-East Asia) through their National Commissions for UNESCO and to IPDP.

Based on the information gathered, a Draft Standards and Training Manual was prepared by the Drafting Committee appointed by the Secretariat, which met for three days (20-22 May 1993) at the International Youth Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

The content of the draft document was further discussed and refined at the Sub-regional Workshop.

Sub-regional Workshop

The Workshop was held from 21-25 June, 1993 at the Holiday Inn, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka as the Sub-regional Secretariat was fortunate to have the close cooperation of the Selangor Public Library Corporation to co-host the Workshop. The workshop was opened by the Hon. Tan Sri Muhammad bin Muhd. Taib, the Chief Minister of the State of Selangor, Malaysia. The Director General of DBP, Dato Hj. Jumaat Mohd. Noor presented a collection of 200 books to the Hon. Chief Minister who received them for the Model Village Library at Sg. Masin. Mr. Shigeo Miyamoto, Executive Director the Asia/Pacific Culture Centre for UNESCO The Workshop was held from 21-25 June, 1993 at the Holiday Inn, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka as the Sub-regional Secretariat was fortunate to have the close cooperation of the Selangor Public Library Corporation to co-host the Workshop. The workshop was opened by the Hon. Tan Sri Muhammad bin Muhd. Taib, the Chief Minister of the State of Selangor, Malaysia. The Director General of DBP, Dato Hj. Jumaat Mohd. Noor presented a collection of 200 books to the Hon. Chief Minister who received them for the Model Village Library at Sg. Masin. Mr. Shigeo Miyamoto, Executive Director the Asia/Pacific Culture Centre for UNESCO (ACCU), Tokyo the APPREB Regional Secretariat also addressed the gathering. The Selangor Public Library Corporation put up an excellent exhibition on Rural Libraries in South & South-East Asia.

There were fifteen participants for the workshop including representatives from Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam. Invitations were extended to IPDP and other member countries in the Asia Pacific region through their UNESCO Commission. None, however was able to attend.

Meeting Session

Eight meeting sessions were held throughout the three and a half days Workshop. All sessions were chaired by Ms. Rohani Rustam. As a large number of participants were not familiar with APPREB network, its function and its objectives, the Chairperson began with a brief introduction on APPREB.

The meeting then focused on the document, Draft Standards and Training Manual that was distributed to participants.

It was envisaged that there would be difficulty to set up a standard for a village library when the standard of living and the reading habit in each country differed a great deal. Therefore attempts were made to provide the minimum standards that would be acceptable.

The Standards cover library policy and management; the location and the building; staffing; collection; services; furniture; the layout and finance.

Part 2 deals with the Training Manual. This manual is targeted for trainers and librarians who have the task of training village library assistants.

The main objective of the manual is to identify the basic knowledge relevant to the training of village library personnel; to provide a basic guide to library functions and services; to develop a core of skillful and dedicated village library personnel and to The main objective of the manual is to identify the basic knowledge relevant to the training of village library personnel; to provide a basic guide to library functions and services; to develop a core of skillful and dedicated village library personnel and to propagate the village library as an agent of change by providing examples and models on various aspects of library works, services and activities.

Five modules were stipulated in the manual covering topics on the library in society; library organization and administration; organization of library materials; library services, activities and extension programmes and public relations and promotions.

Part 3 deals briefly with the subject on literacy and reading and how countries in South-East Asia organized their reading promotion activities.

The meeting sessions, held in a cordial atmosphere provided an opportunity for participants to exchange ideas and working experiences. There were moments when intense discussions were held. It was difficult to come to a consensus when discussing topics such as salary and allowances. Nonetheless there were lots of creativity and dedication among participants to promote reading in their own countries.

Recommendations

The Sub-regional Workshop met its objectives. Participants accepted and adopted the Standards and Training Manual, as members felt that the central focus given to the development of village library was veered timely.

The following recommendations were made:

1. The Standards & Training Manual should be widely distributed particularly to member countries of APPREB.

2. The Standards & Training Manual should be translated into the local languages.

3. A Regional or Sub-regional Workshop on Training for Trainers based on the Standards & Training Manual should be organized under the aegis of APPREB.

4. APPREB is requested to consider providing initial allocation for the setting up of model village library in each country of South & South-East Asia.

Excerpts from the "Standards of Village Library"

Role of the Village Library

In planning to promote reading, especially for the rural population, the village library will be the single most important feature for the dissemination of reading materials. It is foreseen that the village library will no longer play the traditional role of merely stocking reading materials and lending them out to readers. The village library of the future will take on multiple roles as a community information centre, community cultural centre and a community activity centre. The Standards and the Training Manual therefore, will only be a general guide for countries in the region which are about to embark on their rural community reading project, and not for countries with an established village library network.

Definitions

Library :A place where collection of books and non-book materials are kept for reading, study and research purposes. (Harrod, 1987)

Village : An area situated far away from the town wherein lives an integrated social community. The economic activities are on agro-based, with intensive labour. The community normally maintains its traditional practices and culture with the characteristics of strong kinship ties. Generally, the level of technological development is minimal (S. Husin Ali, 1975).

Librarian: One who takes care of a library and its contents, selecting the books, documents and non-book materials which comprise its stock, and providing information and loan services to meet the needs of its users, and has acquired professional qualifications in library and information studies either at a diploma or post-graduate level (Harrod, 1987).

Village library: An area where villagers can borrow library books and other reading materials. Sometimes known as information resource centre or community information centre or reading room.

Village library personnel:
Library staff without professional library qualification, who assists personnel in the running of a library or reading room in a village, under supervision of a librarian or library committee.

Contents of Standards

1. Library policy and management
2. Location/Building
3. Staffing
4. Collection
5. Services
6. Furniture
7. Layout
8. Finance

Excerpts from the "Training Manual"

Purpose of the Training Manual

This Manual has been written for trainers and librarians who have the task of training village library personnel. It also serves as a useful reference guide for administrators and coordinators of village libraries.

The Manual provides training guidelines and information on the various aspects of village library management.

The survey on village library services conducted by the APPREB Sub-Regional Secretariat indicated the need to have a manual that serves both as a guide to train staff in village libraries, and as a working manual.

Objectives of the Manual

1. To identify basic knowledge relevant to the training of village library personnel.
2. To provide a basic guide to library functions and services for village library personnel.
3. To serve as a guide for planning and implementing activities and programmes suitable for village communities.
4. To propagate the village library as an agent of change by providing examples and models on various aspects of library works, procedures, services and activities.
5. To develop a core of skillful and dedicated village library personnel.

Benefits of Training

It is envisaged the training will result in the:

a) understanding and appreciation of the objectives, roles and functions of the library in a village community.
b) acquiring of basic knowledge and skill to manage a village library.
c) ability to comprehend and appreciate the significant role of libraries in promoting reading in the community. d) development of positive attitudes in providing services.
e) implementation of library and reading activities in the community.
f) nurturing of closer links between the community and village library.
g) development of positive attitudes and leadership qualities in providing effective services.

Phases and Types of Training

1. Orientation/Induction (pre-training)
2. In-service training (on-the-job)
3. Development (post-training) better Job Performance new Job Skills

Forms of training programme:
a) Short courses (duration of 2 weeks - 1 month).
b) Seminar cum workshop (five days).
c) Visit and tour of Model Village Library
d) Attachment to established public libraries.
e) Talks/lectures by guest speakers on relevant topics.
f) Refresher Courses
g) Exercises
h) Role play

Relevant Knowledge Skills and Competencies Acquired After Training

a) Importance of information and libraries.
b) Knowledge and profile of village community.
c) Management and organization of village libraries.
d) Organization of library collections.
e) Reference and information services for the village community.
f) Public relations and communication skills.
g) Use of information technology in libraries.
h) Collection development and maintenance.
i) Publicity and promotion

Instruction to Trainers

This Training Manual is to be used in conjunction with the Standards.

Organization of the Manual

The manual is organized according to five modules as follows:

Module 1 -The role of library in society Module
2 -Library organization and administration Module
3 -Organizing Library Materials Module
4 -Library Services, Activities and Extension Programmes Module
5 -Public Relations and Promotions

(reported by Rohani Rustam, Chief Librarian, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka)