INFORMALIA October 2003
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INFORMALIA October 2003 TABLE OF CONTENTS EDITORIAL Welcome to the Autumn issue of MaLIA's Newsletter. A note to 2 Local News clarify matters is in order. The last issue of our Newsletter came 2 People News out under the name of INFORMALIA without any explanation. In 3 News from the National Library fact the editor for issue 104 had suggested the title INFORMAL/A 4 Malta National Bibliography to the MaLIA council which name was accepted. MaLIA and its 5 Literacy programmes for children members are very much involved in information work so the title 5 United Nations literacy decade was thought quite appropriate. 2003-2012 As a separate sheet a MaLIA draft document is being circulated for 6 A new library framework: the way feedback from members, by the end of December 2003 . This is the forward association's draft "Code of Ethics" which we would like to 8 News from the National Archives finalise and implement. It is one of the ways, besides the Register 9 Report on COMLA Conference of professional members which MaLIA would like to use as a tool 2002 London to improve the status of qualified librarians and archivists in Malta. 10 Continued co-operation between MaLIA and CILIP (UK) In the last few months letters by librarians, officials from MaLIA and 11 Report on IFLA' s 68th Conference from the Malta School Library Association (MSLA) and members of in Glasgow 2002 the general public have appeared in the press in relation to an 13 DLIS (2001-3) Long Assignment editorial in The Times ofMalta on the current library situation in Malta. Most contributions commented on the length of time it takes titles to get things done in Malta and how so much has been said in 14 Book donations seminars but so little done in practice over the years. MaLIA's 15 New Libraries Council feels this frustration. This is reflected in Robert Mizzi's 16 Report on IFLA' s 69th article found in this issue. If you have any comments we would be Conference in Berlin 2003 pleased to hear from you. From time to time through items in the news or through personal contacts MaLIA hears of new libraries and information units coming , [$;; }g, ;;}fg; '!XP4}?;: 1 , into existence. This of course is a healthy sign because it reflects that the need for information is there and that it is being catered for in an organised manner through a library or information unit. Please write Membership Fee 2004 to us ifyou know of any others. Moreover this information will All members are reminded that membership serve as primary material for contacting these units at the time "ees for 2004 are to be paid before the end MaLIA starts work on compiling a 2nd edition of its publication A of December 2003. Fees are still fixed at Directory of Libraries and Information Units in Malta first published wm3.00 per annum and should be addressed in 1996. o MaLIA, the Membership Secretary, c/o This issue too has three reports on conferences attended overseas. University of Malta, Msida MSD 06. Fees as These are just a few of the ones MaLIA knows of The next issue can be observed are only of a nominal value will contain other reports which could not appear here due to space and serve to show that members would like limitations. Members attending such conferences or other contacts o support the association. with colleagues overseas are encouraged to send in their contributions. 305/1 INFORMALIA October 2003 INI'ORM.tilH Loca I '\ e\\ s INFORMALIA is the newsletter of the Malta Library and Information Book trade and circulation New DLIS course Association, published quarterly. statistics A new two year long evening Please note that the first issue of A press report that appeared last Diploma course in Library and INFORMALIA appeared in May April stated that according to the Information Studies (DLIS) has 2003. It was formerly called National Statistics Office (NSO) just started at the University of "Newsletter" until the last issue in 2002 the imports of books and Malta in October 2003. Running Number 103 published in December other printed material totalled every other year since 1993 this 2002. Lm3.2 million, decreasing by 36% course, the only one of its kind in Editorial Team: over the previous year. Ten years Malta, is an invaluable asset to the Laurence Zerafa ago, these imports were Lm1.9 profession. The course is Anita Ragonesi million. co-ordinated by Dr. Lillian All correspondence· should be Sciberras assisted by one full-time The public sector, comprising addressed to: lecturer Ms. Martes Paris and a Government, its departments and The Editor group of part-timers many of INFORMALIA parastatal organisations, is the whom are MaLIA members. c/o University of Malta Library most prolific publisher in the Further information can be found Msida MSD.06 - MALTA Maltese Islands. Its percentage at: http://home.um.edu.mtllis share of the total books published The views expressed in this stood at 390/o in 2002. This is Activities newsletter. do not necessarily represent followed by the commercial During the last week of October the views expressed by the Editorial sector, with 37%, said NSO. The several activities for librarians and Board and/or MaLIA's council but Catholic Church, together with archivists were organised. These only represent the author's views as religious organisations, accounted include an Archives awareness week with the theme "Preserve to Serve" forwarded to· us. for 12% of the published book output. organised by the Friends of the The Malta Library and Information National Archives and a one day Association· (MaLIA),. formerly The NSO continued that book loans seminar for school librarians called known as the Ghaqda Bibljotekarji, is from the Central Public Library in "Down to basics- up to standards" organised by the Malta School the association that gathers within its 2001 exceeded 746,000. The regional libraries alone lent out Library Association in collaboration ranks all information workers such as with the Schools Library Service. A librarians and· includes archivists. more than 194,000 books. Books loaned by the local branch libraries report on these activities will appear MaLIA is the oldest established in Gozo totalled to 36,000. in the next issue of INFORMALIA. association (1969}onthe local information scene enjoying wide l'eoplt• \e"' experience in this sector. Individuals interested in joining as members Heather Brown a British librarian who please get in touch with MaLIA should write to the membership spent three months in Malta last autumn Council. at the National Archives and the secretary at the above address. Four DLIS students, three graduating University Library is returning shortly this November, have been just been MaLIA is a full member of the for a year or two. She is offering her appointed as Assistant Librarians at the services again as a library vohmteer for International Federation ofLibrary newly set-up Library and Learning 2 to 3 days a week. Co-opted on the Resource Centres at MCAST- Malta Associations (IFLA) and of the MaLIA Council she has been seeking to Commonwealth Library Association College of Arts Science and build co-operative links between Technology - in Paola These are (COMLA) of which it is one ofthe MaLIA and CILIP (the UK Library Oliver Mamo last at the B'Kara founder member. Association) and looks forward to Regional Library and Joanne sharing her experiences and meeting up Schembri, Joanne Carabott and This Newsletter is available on-line. with us. She hopes to forward ideas Veronica Calleja the latter three Visit our web-site at: from a recently attended CILIP course practising for the first time. on fund raising and through one or two charities, on ways and means of www.malia-malta.org New MaLIA Member - Joseph Bonett promoting literacy among all ages. If from the Central Bank of Malta Library. anyone wishes to contact Ms Brown 105/2 INFORMALIA October 2003 Ne"·s ft--onl the National Library. E-Libraries Education Minister Louis Galea and the Minister for Investment and Information Technology Austin Gatt launched an electronic service for public libraries, to be known as e-Libraries on July 11th as part of the e-Governrnent programme. E-Libraries provides the public with an online catalogue of books found in the Central Public Library in Floriana, the National Library in Valletta (listing only periodicals from 1998 onwards Philip Borg, Director of Libraries and Archive, Louis Galea Education and Melitensia books from 1990 Minister and Austin Gatt the Minister for Investment and Infonnation onwards), the Gozo Lending Technology at the launch of e-Libraries. Library and the Gozo Reference Library in Victoria, as well as in 14 reservations will follow the same Education Minister Louis Galea regional and local libraries. These rules and restrictions as those made said the government will be are in Luqa, Mosta, Birkirkara, from a normal library counter. proposing new legislation to Paola, Qormi, Mellieha, Zejtun, regulate the libraries sector. He Zebbug, Zurrieq, Naxxar, Siggiewi, Patrons can also access the online hoped the proposals being made San Gwann, Bormla and catalogue through the government would reflect that dialogue and the Birzebbuga. More branches will be portal www.gov.mt and clicking on aspirations of those who held the accessible online in due course. 'Education'. Apart from improving sector close at heart. efficiency, the e-Governrnent Searches can be conducted by programme is helping to streamline Delving into the history of the author, title, subject or ISBN public services. The aim is to have custodian's residence, the director number. The online catalogue gives 90 per cent of all public services of libraries and archives, Philip information on where the wanted online within a few months, so as Borg, said the house was item exists, its availability and to increase the direct participation constructed in the 1790s when the whether it is out on loan or on of every individual from the library itself was built.