1. State of Asian School Libraries: Present & future John Hickok, M.L.I.S., M.A. Librarian/Instructor Coordinator of Library Instruction California State University, Fullerton, USA

2. About me Faculty member Faculty member - Coordinator of Library & - Coordinator of Library & Information Literacy Instruction, Information Literacy Instruction, and instructor, in the largest and instructor, in the largest university network of the world university network of the world

3. Research: Research: California state research grant on cross-cultural comparison of libraries throughout Asia California state research grant on cross-cultural comparison of libraries throughout Asia

4. Introduction School libraries in Southeast Asia are in need of development. This refers to: School libraries in Southeast Asia are in need of development. This refers to: Physical facilities & technology Physical facilities & technology Collections Collections Staffing Staffing

5. Let’s start with some positives… In my year-long documentation, I saw many examples of successful school libraries Dedicated physical facilities Dedicated physical facilities A dedicated librarian presence A dedicated librarian presence Support from higher up (the principal, the MOE, outside NGO’s, etc.) Support from higher up (the principal, the MOE, outside NGO’s, etc.)

6. But there are also serious challenges In my year-long documentation, I saw severe challenges to school libraries Extremely limited budgets (in many cases, zero). Extremely limited budgets (in many cases, zero). Limited facilities, limited equip/tech Limited facilities, limited equip/tech Lack of staff (often no librarian, only a volunteer teacher-librarian) Lack of staff (often no librarian, only a volunteer teacher-librarian) Lack of priority to libraries from authorities (principals, MOE) Lack of priority to libraries from authorities (principals, MOE)

7. But there are also serious challenges The nature of education: little emphasis on independent reading or research outside of formal lessons The nature of education: little emphasis on independent reading or research outside of formal lessons (comparison with U.S. education: libraries as partners in the curriculum. My own childhood = a testament) (comparison with U.S. education: libraries as partners in the curriculum. My own childhood = a testament)

8. Some photo documentation Disclaimer: examples from countries are not implying that county alone struggles with challenges. ALL countries, I found, share these common challenges Disclaimer: examples from countries are not implying that county alone struggles with challenges. ALL countries, I found, share these common challenges

9. So… how to address these challenges?

10. Partnerships with NGOs for training and human capital development (i.e., training of teachers and teacher-librarians). But coordinating all NGOs through an umbrella organization. (Example, ALA and sister libraries) Partnerships with NGOs for training and human capital development (i.e., training of teachers and teacher-librarians). But coordinating all NGOs through an umbrella organization. (Example, ALA and sister libraries)

11. So… how to address these challenges? Partnerships with NGOs for training and human capital development (i.e., training of teachers and teacher-librarians). But coordinating all NGOs through an umbrella organization. (Example, ALA and sister libraries) Partnerships with NGOs for training and human capital development (i.e., training of teachers and teacher-librarians). But coordinating all NGOs through an umbrella organization. (Example, ALA and sister libraries) Corporate partnerships and sponsorships, promoting library development (i.e., partnerships with booksellers) Corporate partnerships and sponsorships, promoting library development (i.e., partnerships with booksellers)

12. So… how to address these challenges? Partnerships with universities, particularly those with LIS degree programs, on “adopt a school” student teacher-librarian interns, and material donations Partnerships with universities, particularly those with LIS degree programs, on “adopt a school” student teacher-librarian interns, and material donations

13. So… how to address these challenges? Partnerships with universities, particularly those with LIS degree programs, on “adopt a school” student teacher-librarian interns, and material donations Partnerships with universities, particularly those with LIS degree programs, on “adopt a school” student teacher-librarian interns, and material donations Flagship library endeavors, garnishing MOE publicity, to foster further MOE support Flagship library endeavors, garnishing MOE publicity, to foster further MOE support

14. Thank you