User:Carolyne/BlogEntry: 2007 December 06 16:30:40 EAT

From KLAMediaWiki

I must congratulate the KLA Ec for the successful workshop that we had.

It was just so excellent! Thumbs up! we learnt alot.

Its no doubt that the wsf library website will be a place one will always want to refer time and again aspecially to get to know the recent changes.I strongly believe that the members will add alot more information on the topics that each was assighned. I would just want to bring to your attention some of the important points that were discussed in the sesion of "founding a proactive library" With the director of the social services present, it was evident that the discussion would bear fruits since he seemed alot interested in improving on the library services especially of the city council library.

The members emphasized on the need to have more attractive, better and relevant libraries that would motivate the users to want to visit the library time and again and more so,spend most of their time inside there.The need to introduce technologies in the libraries, need to have motivated and well trained personell and a challenge to the libarrians to utiilise the provided budgets in improving on their libraries. The discussion especially touched on the city council library in kenya, commonly known as The Macmillan Libraryand members agreed that there was alot that needed to be done about it.

Some of the recommendations on the City Library included;

The need for the library board members i.e. the city council, the director and the librarian to form a patnership with KLA and KNLS for relevant consulattions and advice on issues that would help improve on the library.

when establishing the branches, consideration should be given to slum areas especilly with the increasing population in those areas who would require access to information.

It was also suggested that community members should be proactive in their areas, liase with the area leaders, for instance concillors and mps to start up library projects.

Proffesionals should come out, write winning proposals for their libraries to companies who can assist in improving the state of the library.

Establishing a marketing department in the library that would ensure that the user needs are met accordingly. This wouls help also in increasing awareness about the library services and the need to use the library.

Acquisation of open source softwares for the libraries to keep them automated and technologically up to date.This would drastically reduce thier budgets.

Conducting proper user studies to understand their exact needs.

Checking on the opening hours of the library.They should be extended abit to allow users spend quality time inside there.

You can please add on other recommendations that i left out.

Carol