Visit to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the Global Libraries Program 17th June 2010
Report by Patricia Genat
Present:
- 12 Public Library Managers from Australia
- Deborah Jacobs, recently appointed Director of the Global Libraries initiative, previously Director of Seattle Public Library, where she led the new building and programs project.
- 6 Global Libraries staff, covering projects based in countries all around the world.
Agenda: Sharing program understanding
1) Deborah opened the meeting sharing the vision of the program, underpinned by the Gates Foundation mission statement that “every life has equal value”. Since 2004, the Foundation has been able to supply funding and expertise for Public Library programs outside the USA, and now covers Latin America, Indonesia, Eastern Europe, Sub Saharan Africa, North Africa and Vietnam.
In 2009 the Gates Foundation awarded grants of $A3.4billion in all categories - Health, Education, Pacific North West and Global Development. The Global Libraries program provides funding primarily aimed at Public Libraries in developing or transitioning countries, and provides access to learning and technology through local library programs.
Deborah noted that every country needs “strong library systems and library schools”. She actively encourages all funded libraries to play an active role with the private sector, local government and non-profit organisations to better service their local community. As an example, staff member Darren Horner spoke about a project in Botswana started in 2006. The government initially had no capacity to deliver any consistent library program, however with the Foundations assistance, the three critical pillars – the local university as Library School, the local Library Association and the appropriate Government ministers came together to plan and implement a funded program that is now showing good signs of progress.
There was general discussion around the table regarding some Australian Public Library initiatives to partner with developing countries (East Timor, Philippines, Cambodia) and some brainstorming about how more could be done with exchanges and mentoring programs through IFLA or independently.
2) Brief presentations were made to the Foundation staff from:
- Chris Kelly and Karyn Siegmann regarding the Victorian Public Library Network and specifically Brimbank and Bayside libraries
- Carol Yuen, Anne Hall and Lyn Barakat regarding New South Wales initiatives in their three quite different council areas (Waringah, Fairfield and Sutherland).
Other references:http://www.gatesfoundation.org/
Present:
- 12 Public Library Managers from Australia
- Deborah Jacobs, recently appointed Director of the Global Libraries initiative, previously Director of Seattle Public Library, where she led the new building and programs project.
- 6 Global Libraries staff, covering projects based in countries all around the world.
Agenda: Sharing program understanding
1) Deborah opened the meeting sharing the vision of the program, underpinned by the Gates Foundation mission statement that “every life has equal value”. Since 2004, the Foundation has been able to supply funding and expertise for Public Library programs outside the USA, and now covers Latin America, Indonesia, Eastern Europe, Sub Saharan Africa, North Africa and Vietnam.
In 2009 the Gates Foundation awarded grants of $A3.4billion in all categories - Health, Education, Pacific North West and Global Development. The Global Libraries program provides funding primarily aimed at Public Libraries in developing or transitioning countries, and provides access to learning and technology through local library programs.
Deborah noted that every country needs “strong library systems and library schools”. She actively encourages all funded libraries to play an active role with the private sector, local government and non-profit organisations to better service their local community. As an example, staff member Darren Horner spoke about a project in Botswana started in 2006. The government initially had no capacity to deliver any consistent library program, however with the Foundations assistance, the three critical pillars – the local university as Library School, the local Library Association and the appropriate Government ministers came together to plan and implement a funded program that is now showing good signs of progress.
There was general discussion around the table regarding some Australian Public Library initiatives to partner with developing countries (East Timor, Philippines, Cambodia) and some brainstorming about how more could be done with exchanges and mentoring programs through IFLA or independently.
2) Brief presentations were made to the Foundation staff from:
- Chris Kelly and Karyn Siegmann regarding the Victorian Public Library Network and specifically Brimbank and Bayside libraries
- Carol Yuen, Anne Hall and Lyn Barakat regarding New South Wales initiatives in their three quite different council areas (Waringah, Fairfield and Sutherland).
Other references:http://www.gatesfoundation.org/
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