Asia and Oceania SECTION Newsletter
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ISSUE 21:1 JUNE 2009 Asia and Oceania SECTION newSletter my IFLA activities. My programme in Singapore was coordinated by Tan Keat Fong, IFLA’s Regional Manager for Asia & Oceania, and Deputy Director, Professional and International Relations of the National Library Board (NLB) Singapore. My programme included amongst others, a tour of the National Library of Singapore and a meeting with Dr. N Varaprasad, Chief Executive Officer of NLB. In the afternoon of day one, I gave a talk at the National Library on my presidential theme, “Libraries Driving Access to Knowledge.” On day two, I visited the library@esplanade, Jurong Regional Library, and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Library. I was impressed by the high level with Dr. N varaprasad (Chief Executive, National Library board Singapore) and Ms. tan Keat Fong of professionalism, innovative services (Regional Manager, IFLA Regional Office for Asia and Oceania) at the National Library in Singapore provided and strong commitment to the profession of Singapore library IFLA in Singapore colleagues. What stood out for me was the support received from the government n February this year, I had the to further enhance economic growth for libraries and the focus on professional pleasure and opportunity to and prosperity for the region and to development. Libraries in Singapore are visit Singapore for the first time. strengthen the Asia-Pacific community. I definitely on the agenda. I would like Winston Tabb, Chair of the IFLA Attendees included representatives and to take this opportunity to thank NLB Committee on Copyright and other IP experts of APEC member economies. staff and Singapore colleagues for the Legal Matters (CLM) and I represented The presentation, titled “Libraries and warm welcome and hospitality which IFLA at the 28th Intellectual Property Users’ Rights: Balance in Intellectual Winston and I received. It contributed Expert Group (IPEG) of APEC (Asia- Property” was well received, as was the in so many ways to a very fruitful and Pacific Economic Cooperation) in proposal for minimum limitations and successful visit. I would also like to thank Singapore on 26 February. IFLA was exceptions for libraries/users. We got NLB for the continued support for IFLA invited to address IPEG on “Exceptions lots of questions and strong praise for through the Asia & Oceania Regional and Limitations for Libraries” within the work that IFLA is doing on behalf of Office. It enables IFLA to have a strong the broader context of Copyright libraries in this area in the international footprint in Asia. and Intellectual Property (IP). APEC arena. is the premier forum for facilitating Singapore colleagues also took the economic growth, cooperation, trade opportunity of being there to arrange a With kind regards and investment in the Asia-Pacific programme for me to engage with the Ellen R. Tise region. APEC was established in 1989 library community and to hear about IFLA President-elect, 2007–2009 • IN THIS ISSUE From the Chair’s Desk 2 - 3 Regional 10 - 13 ALP News 20 - 24 ISSN 0858-2815 IFlA regional Office for Asia and Oceania From the Regional 3 Office News Around the Region 25 - 30 POStAL/vISItINg ADDRESS: Manager’s Desk Committee News 14 - 15 Events 31 - 33 c/o National library Board Singapore 100 Victoria Street #14-01, Singapore 188064, Singapore IFLA HQ News 4 - 7 Members of IFLA 16 - 19 Editorial and 34 tEL: +(65) 6332 3347 FAx: +(65) 6332 3616 E-MAIL: wEbSItE: Spotlight 8 - 9 Asia and Oceania Section Production Committee [email protected] www.ifla.org MESSAGE 2 Asia and Oceania Section Newsletter From the Chair’s Desk It has been a wonderful learning experience–we work together, share ideas, learn from each other, argue and debate, laugh and in the end we step forward! Dear colleagues, am writing this short account in the midst of the coming years especially in terms of finances due planning for our activities for Milan. This is my to the global financial downturn. All the SC members Ifinal account as your Chair after four years in the and especially the Regional Office (RO) have a key role Regional Standing Committee for Asia and Oceania to play here to identify and approach possible donors (RSCAO), first as a member, then as Secretary and for project funding. I am happy to note that the RO has finally as Chair of the Section, Chair of Division VIII, already started working on this with the collaboration of and Governing Board member. Four years is not a IFLA HQ. The impact and the difference made through long time but it is important to make way for others ALP-supported projects are an important part of the in order to open up the Section to new ideas and Section’s work and one of its greatest achievements. The perceptions. grassroots strength of ALP is the main reason behind I will be saying goodbye in Milan where a lot of this achievement as ALP projects are initiated from the changes will take place. This is not only because it is an regions and carried out by colleagues in the regions. election year but also because of the implementation The two projects currently carried out in Cambodia of the revised IFLA structure of which you must already and Laos on information literacy are two examples be aware. Even though there will be many changes to that can be mentioned. A number of professionals sections and divisions, we are fortunate that all three and para-professionals have benefited immensely regional sections remain in IFLA as well as the Division from ALP-supported in-service training and scholarship with the new name of “Division V.” programmes. I am an example of a person who has The membership of our Section has grown stronger benefited from ALP support without which I would and the number of Standing Committee (SC) members not be here today. On behalf of the Section/Divisions, I has also increased to its maximum (22) for 2005–2009. I would like to record our sincere gratitude and our deep am proud to state that for 2009–2013, there were more appreciation to Birgitta and Gunilla for their hard work nominations than the vacancies and a postal ballot and contributions to the programme and associated was conducted. In addition, the Section has developed activities. An official recognition ceremony will be held greater collaborative links within IFLA over the years. in Milan for Birgitta and Gunilla. The Section continues to represent the interests not As we have much to discuss and do in Milan I hope to only of developing countries but also of many developed see many Section members there. In addition to both our countries such as Australia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Open Session and the Division VIII Open Session, there and Singapore. Therefore, regional sections should will be a number of sessions worth attending. Remember not be considered as merely about or for developing that there will also be an Emerald-sponsored dinner to countries. Even though it is true that we pay more which you will be receiving invitations shortly. attention to developing countries, members should When I was the Secretary of the Section, the then recognise that the Section represents all the countries Chair Gary asked me whether I would like to exchange in our region regardless of their economic, social, and my heavy workload as Secretary for his Chairmanship. political situations. However, my experience as Chair was quite different but We are all well aware of ALP’s enormous contribution I hope the in-coming Chair’s experience will not be the to information development activities in our three same! I am delighted to say that the years spent working regions. With the phasing out of SIDA funds at the on behalf of the Asia and Oceania Section and IFLA has end of 2009, the administration of ALP will move from been one of the best experiences of my professional Uppsala University to IFLA Headquarters. There will career. It has been a wonderful learning experience–we be many important challenges facing our Section over work together, share ideas, learn from each other, argue Asia and Oceania Section Newsletter 3 MESSAGE and debate, laugh and in the end we step forward! I Finally, I wish much success to the in-coming officers have been very fortunate to work with inspiring and and to both newly elected and continuing members in exciting colleagues in IFLA and particularly in RSCAO, all their future activities. the preceding Chairs–Gary and Rashidah, Secretaries, Premila Gamage Regional Managers, and all members. I must also admit Chair that the friendships forged and networks developed are IFLA Regional Standing Committee for the most rewarding part of IFLA! Asia and Oceania From the Regional Manager’s Desk Dear colleagues and friends, ith the close of a three-year term as IFLA Regional institution in the ALP News Section. Office for Asia and Oceania, it has indeed been an Earlier in February this year, the Regional Standing wenriching and rewarding experience. We would Committee for Asia and Oceania held its Mid-conference like to record our thanks to all those who have supported in Bangkok, Thailand. Various issues were on the agenda, the Regional Office in a way or another. including the selection of papers for the upcoming World We were privileged to have Ms. Jennefer Nicholson, Library and Information Congress: 75th IFLA General IFLA Secretary General here in Singapore to ink the next Conference in Assembly in Milan; the review and selection three-year renewal of the IFLA-NLB Joint-Collaboration of ALP applications as well as updates from the Chair, Agreement from 2009–2011 with Dr.