​The Sharing Economy and libraries: does “access over ownership” ring a bell? (FREE IFLA/ALA Webinar, March 8)

Sharing Economy and Libraries

People around the world have been transforming the unused capacity of things they own and services they provide, such as business expertise, power tools, bikes and even cars. The National Journal writes “Libraries are especially apt to increase their relevance in the coming years, considering the rise of the ‘sharing economy,’ a concept arguably invented by the first libraries.”

Webinar recording available here: http://ala.adobeconnect.com/p4a9ni5ztr3/

In the digital era, how do libraries continue to be relevant community resources?

Even though the Sharing Economy model resembles a traditional library borrowing model, libraries are extending their services to borrow everything — from seeds and kitchen appliances to music instruments, crafting tools, sewing machines and opening Repair Cafes.

Join us for the webinar on March 8 at 11:00 am EST (5:00 pm CET) with Loida Garcia-Febo and George Needham!

Speakers

Keynote: “Librarians building capacity for advocacy through education” by Loida Garcia-Febo

Libraries are pillars of public education. This presentation highlights the concept of how building community depends on more people in our communities becoming better informed. Building capacity for advocating through education will strengthen resilience long after the threats library face have been demolished. Garcia-Febo will share efforts by ALA and IFLA, and propose new avenues to take action to educate librarians and library advocates to build capacity for library advocacy in global, national, and local arenas.

About Loida
Loida Garcia-Febo is an international library consultant, researcher and expert on topics such as human rights, advocacy and services to multicultural populations. She has served communities as academic, public, school, and special librarian in Puerto Rico and Queens. Loida is President of Information New Wave an international NGO seeking to enhance the education of ethnically diverse communities. She has taught in 20 countries and has advocated on behalf of libraries at the United Nations, US Congress, NYC City Hall, NY State Senate and on streets and sidewalks of New York. She is currently a member of the Executive Board of ALA and its Finance & Audit Committee, IFLA Governing Board, and chairs IFLA’s Action for Development through Libraries Programme (ALP).

“What I Wish I Knew Then… and What I Wish I Knew Now” by George Needham

Having been a librarian for nearly 40 years, George Needham thought he understood the “sharing economy.” On March 8, he’ll discuss what he wishes veteran librarians had told him at the beginning of his career, and what he wishes young librarians would tell him now, especially about the new sharing economy.

About George
George Needham is Director of the Delaware County District Library in Delaware, Ohio. A graduate of the University of Buffalo for both his bachelor’s and MLS degrees, George has been involved in libraries since the 1970s as a reference librarian, branch manager, technologist, state librarian, and association executive. A frequent speaker at library events, George has also written several articles, contributed chapters to three books, and reviewed hundreds of books, audiobooks, DVDs and other materials for Library Journal, Booklist, The Columbus Dispatch, and AudioFile. His sole brush with non-library fame came as a two-time Jeopardy! champion in December, 1994.

Moderator: Vesna Vuksan – IFLA NPSIG Convenor.

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This webinar is a part of a worldwide quarterly series of webinars “New Librarians Global Connection: Best Practices, Models and Recommendations“ for new librarians in partnership between IFLA and ALA.

To join the meeting:
http://ala.adobeconnect.com/r1nmh7uie73/

Webinar recording will be available later.