Project information
| Status | Finalist |
| URL | Go to website |
| Category | Culture New media |
| Country | Colombia |
| Operational areas | Urban |
| Target groups | Children, Youth, Women, Men, Seniors |
| Fixed connection | Dialup, DSL, Cable |
| Wireless connection | WiFi |
| Access points | Government office, Business, Home, School, Library, Telecenter, Cafe |
| Interact | Landline Phone, Desktop Computer, Laptop |
| Software License Types | Open Source, Proprietary |
Project location
Random images Challenge 2008
Network of Public Libraries - Medellin Metropolitan Area
- Brief description
- · 36 interconnected libraries creating a collaborative knowledge network, open to the world and that use ICT as a learning resource to enhance library management, human capacity and services, and to reduce costs. The network has an integrated new web site that uses web2.0 tools, with unified online catalogue, forums, chat, kids corner and other interactive tools. The project supports the 3 main pilars of ICT: access and connectivity, content and services, and training and empowerment.
·
- Vision, Objectives and Goals
- o Vision In 2015 the Network of Public Libraries will be a model of collaboration, sustainable and consistent development of library services, supported on ICTs and becoming fundamental in cultural and educational policies of the 10 municipalities comprising Medellin’s Metropolitan Area. o Objectives (1) Promote libraries as information centers that enhance cultural and educational processes to achieve equitable access to information, knowledge and learning, (2) Foster collaboration and strengthen links between libraries and local communities, (3) Promote the development of a knowledge network of public libraries that share resources, efforts, and experiences (4) Assist libraries in their evolution towards the knowledge society using ICTs. (5) Have governments include libraries in local policies (6) Increase and strengthen bibliographical resources (7) Be acknowledged at the local, national and international levels. o Goals Social Goals: • Reduce violence • Provide equitable access to education and knowledge • Strengthen the social tissue for the construction of democratic, empowered and plural citizens. • Promote creation and preservation of cultural heritage • Attain UNESCO standard of 1.5 to 2.4 books per person by 2010. Environmental goals: • Reduce unnecessary mobility to the city’s central library • Use library spaces as educational centers in environmental topics. • Promote and disseminate the Metropolitan Area’s environmental resources. Economic goals: • Facilitate the finding of new jobs using ICTs• Reduce transportation costs for users • Educate citizens and enable them to enter the labor market, attain higher education and create businesses. Reduce spending by 15% (consolidated book purchase, methodologies, datacenter, database, image)
- How does ICT contribute to the organisational objectives
- ICTs have had impact in three areas: access and connectivity, content and services, and, training and empowerment. In access and connectivity, ICTs have allowed the Network to bring PCs and the Internet to areas where it was not present. In some cases, the first broadband internet connection in the area was the one offered at the library thanks to the Network.There is an installed capacity of more than 1700PCs connected to the Internet. In content and services, the Network´s portal has allowed us to have a collaborative, interactive and informational web site with a unified online catalogue, forums, chat, wikis, blogs and other web2.0 tools. The “librarians online community” is an important place for exchanging information, ideas and to strengthen the relations among. The Portal is managed by a group of professionals and has an editorial plan to ensure that content is relevant, useful and current. Content and services are enhanced by partnering with important institutions that work on related topics. In training and empowerment, ICTs have had a special role in achieving the goals since they are used to enhance library management and human capacity, to improve service offerings and to reduce costs. There are continuos training programs for librarians and users.
- Transferability
· For a network like ours, at least 2 Public libraries are needed, in small or big towns that want to share information, knowledge, resources. Public libraries would receive supports from their owner (mayorship, government, etc), as well as from external partners (private businesses, other libraries, etc). In our case, the multi-stakeholder system is a key point, as it puts more stability in the project (diversification of the origin of the income) and allows the use of the skills of the different partners.
- Project summary
- · The Network of Public Libraries in Medellin Metropolitan Area is a network of 36 libraries that are promoted as information centers that facilitate equitable access to knowledge. The libraries in the network are interconnected and share resources, efforts, knowledge and experiences, with the objective of creating synergies among them and enhance the educational and cultural conditions of the communities they serve. ICTs are the key tool for interconnecting the libraries, offering services and bringing the Internet to places where it was not available. We see ICTs as a mean and not as a goal. The goal is to transform the society, so that it is less violent, more empowered and learns to focus in knowledge and learning. The Project in 2007 had 5 components, the main achievements, related to ICT, under each component are as follows. The plan for 2008 is still being outlined but will include a contest for librarians to enhance ICT use:1. Outreach and MarketingA Marketing Plan was developed and shared with all libraries. – ICT empowerment and leadership were key to impact in all communities. Most of the marketing is done online via the web site, electronic newsletters, etc. This component also includes the development, enhancement and management of the Network´s website. The website is key to all activities and will gain even more importance in the future thanks to the online communities, one for librarians and one for people interested in movies and film (most libraries have activities related to movies).2. EmpowermentOutreach and training are key to the network´s success. All training is on ICT related topics depending on the community’s needs. Practical and relevant uses of ICTs include Colombian-Argentinean Friends and Hiper-Barrio projects. Cyber-culture at the Universidad de Antioquia - 10 librarians attended the course and will graduate in December 2007. Certified Training in Basic Informatics, English, Grammar and Writing using ICTs, Microsoft Unlimited Potential, job searching and resume writing, blogs, wikis, the Network´s web site, etc. Librarians have been trained in the library management software and other tools such as the portal in order to enhance their ICT empowerment.3. Network ProcessesThe criteria and process for libraries to join the network has been defined – formats, processes and procedures have been defined. The criteria include the required use and access to ICTs. The network has been designing networks processes among which there are several related to ICTs, one is that the content contribution will be decentralized so each librarian is responsible of entering the events at the library and maintaining library information updated. Online and Unified Public Access Catalogue already used by 25 libraries4. Software, Hardware and Other SuppliesBookshelves and printers were given to the libraries. PCs were given in 2006. Digital cameras, wireless internet are being given to them as well.5. Monitoring and EvaluationStatistics are gathered every month. A system to gather user’s information is being tested in one of the libraries. Librarians have learned how to use excel in order to give us the monthly stats.
ICTs are also key for the management team, we communicate mostly via email and we are all good uses of ICTs.
Printer-friendly version
