Thursday, June 2, 2022

Introduction to the Library History SIG

 Introduction to the Library History SIG

Prepared by Peter Lor on behalf of Anna Maria Tammaro, Convener

27 May 2022

 

“History Bunk”

Globally, libraries and information services have deep roots in their societies. As everything changes, there is much we can learn and gain inspiration from the struggles, successes, and failures of our predecessors and elders in various parts of the world.

 

Organizational Information

The Library History Special Interest Group (LibHist SIG) is a long-standing unit. Currently it is sponsored by the Library Theory and Research Section, in Professional Division E.

SIGs are run less formally than Sections. We have a committee of nine members, chaired by our Convener, Professor Anna Maria Tammaro. You do not have to formally join up and pay a subscription as you would if you wanted to join an additional IFLA section. Just send a message to Anna Maria and she will add you to our discussion list. We also have a blog at www.iflalibraryhistorysig.blogspot.com. Our web page is at Web page:  https://www.ifla.org/units/library-history/

 

Current Projects

Over the years we have had many interesting sessions with contributions from many countries, on varied topics.

Our current projects:

  • IFLA will celebrate its Centenary in 2027 and currently we are focusing on projects to prepare for that:
  • Checking the existence of oral recordings from past librarians
  • Capturing Oral Stories from today’s librarians, especially oral histories from past IFLA Presidents, Secretaries General and IFLA personalities
  • Developing a programme of research into aspects of IFLA’s history, with a view to a special session at the WLICs leading up to 2027, and for publication in a book to be published in the centenary year.

IMPORTANT: These projects offer scope for LIS students to help with reference queries, and for those looking for a topic for a thesis or dissertation in library history and professional association studies, e.g. applying organizational theory. To learn more, check our website and attend our open session in Dublin.


WLIC Programme

Annually we try to have two meetings: an open session and a business meeting, also open to all.

Dublin 2022: Tuesday 26 July

SIG Committee at 14:45-16:15 (all interested members welcome to audit)

Open Session on “Sources and Themes for the Historiography of IFLA” 16:30-18:00

To prepare for a commemorative volume of chapters about various aspects of IFLA’s history.

Call for papers is still open, but not for long!

See https://2022.ifla.org/cfp-calls/library-history-special-interest-group/

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