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Advocacy and the Campaign for World´s Libraries in Mexico Jesús Lau Jlau@uv.mx Universidad Veracruzana / DGB / USBI VER AMBAC – Chair, International Relations Committee / State of American Librarianship: Advocacy and Other Issues ALA, International Relations Round Table, Pre-Conference University of Illinois at Chicago-West Campus, Student Center West (CIU), Room A 828 Chicago, IL, USA June 24, 2005, Friday, 8:30-12:30
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Topics Mexico´s concept of advocacy ALA/Gates international contribution Mexico´s achievements Advocacy challenges
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Mexican Demographics 14th in geographical size 7th in exports 2nd trade partner of the US Largest Spanish-speaking country 2nd Economy in Latin America Middle income country Literacy 90% Ranks with some of the best libraries in Latin America
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Library Statistics TypeCentersVolumes School4,68917,162,907 Academic1,13316,422,598 Special1752,576,889 Public5,31327,067,572 National11,250,000 Others5449,160 Total11,31564,179,126
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Advocacy Meaning in Mexico Meaning is similar to US/ALA concept Strategies are different They normally take a low-profile or a very active one Examples go from phone calls/emails to marches, mainly at the national and state capitals The library community normally opts for the low-profile
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Factors that Influence Advocacy Tactics The library community is small Associations, therefore, are also small Association budgets are, in general, limited Mexico´s democratic transition is an open ground for library advocacy Internet is helping to get participacion from librarians outside Mexico City
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AMBAC Mexican Association of Librarians Signed a cooperation agreement with ALA a couple years ago @ your Library scheme was adopted Promoted among state associations and libraries State association that have actively campaigned are Jalisco and Chihuahua
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National College of Librarians Advocacy A professionals-only library association Right/Duty to advise government decisions Sends letters of support to influence decisions Advocay example: complaint for appointing non- librarians to leadership posts A challenge: it is a small association Funding is again limited, dues are low
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National Library Campaign AMBAC organized with the National Council of Culture (Education Ministry) a library promotion campaign The first lady, Martha Fox, kicked off the program Great media coverage on TV and newspapers
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Great ALA Support A workshop has been organized at the MLA annual library conferences in the last few years ALA has sent an instructor to facilitate the workshop The champion-facilitor has been Carol Brey, the current ALA President This support has made a positive impact among professionals even among those who did not attend the workshops
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Gates Foundation Contribution Factor The Gates Foundation has also contributed to Mexican libraries´visibility Benefitted: More than one thousand public libraries have now computer equipment and greater Internet access It has played an important role in giving a better stance to public libraries in government Gates guidelines support greater role of libraries in society
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Related Achievements Current federal government has became more aware of libraries´s Public Libraries have received more recognition A new main/central public library for Mexico city is under construction It will also be a “mega”-public library for the rest of the country
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Mexico City´s “Mega-Library” The architectural blueprints are the result of an international contest It will be built in the former city´s railway station The building will be an avant gard masterpiece The funding has been a struggle between the president and the Mexican congress The president´s commitment has been high, and the community and the press has given good support to the project
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Guadalajara´s Main Public Library This second largest city will buid a new facility for its main public library The library will be the center-piece of a cultural complex The building will be one if not the largest in the country An international call for the architectural design - 400 consulting firms took part Helen Ladron is the Advocacy champion
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Guadalajara – Mexico City Competition Some of the big library consultants names have been hired There is a competition with Mexico City´s library building The national congress has been involved in the funding competition The Universtity President, Raul Padilla has been a strong sopporter of the project
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Academic Libraries University librarians have achieved greater roles and status in recent years, examples: Juarez University (UACJ), the library department is in charge of academic evaluation/accreditation of faculty programs – One of the top accredited state universities University of Colima (UCOL), the librarian also is in charge of computing and telecommunications / information technology National University (UNAM), a librarian is in charge of faculty development. However, in some instances computer professionals have taken over libraries
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National School of Librarianship An example of sucessful advocacy New premises in the last decade Close collaboration with Department of Universities / Ministry of Education Runs spots on national TV and newspapers about librarians´ role and library education 60th Anniversary will be celebrated soon at Bellas Artes/Fine Arts Palace, the most respected national “bel canto” theater
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Our Advocacy Challenges Get more social visibility among potential library users Lobby for a more flexible copyright law Create library law at state levels Influence federal government to have a national information development strategy (Create a national library plan) Take a more active role at international bodies, like ISO, and UN related bodies
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@ your Library Challenges Promote adoption of the campaign at individual libraries Adapt ALA World Campaign guidelines Create promotional materials Train library staff Promote professional involment in political decisions
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Associations Associations (AMBAC and NCL) need a general advocacy plan The advocacy role varies according to the association president´s priorities Create training opportunities on advocacy for members
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Conclusions @ your Library has been a good promotional scheme to Mexico AMBAC participation has benefitted the country The new major main national/state public libraries under construction are the product of advocacy The campaign, it is assumed, helped to raise greater awareness of the value of libraries at the federal government Some states also became more aware of libraries
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