Abstract

International librarianship and international cooperation in Library and information Science are critical concepts that have become topical in the current global world. Librarianship is a dynamic profession that is affected by the cultural, technological, economic, technological and political milieu. The paper will explore the extent to which international cooperation in Library and Information Science has contributed towards development. The treatise will also find out how ICT’s have helped to promote international cooperation. It also looks at the challenges that Affects international cooperation..The paper highlights significant developments that have taken place in international library cooperation since the beginning of the twentieth century .The new millenium is a bracve new year that requires focussed professionals who understand the value of cooperation or srategic partnerships at both regional and international levels.

Introduction

International librarianship should be interpreted in the context of those aspects of our work which are the same throughout the world as reflected by the philosophies, practices, standards, tasks, procedures, regulations and processes that are similar or relatively similar among other things. It can also be understood in the context of the international relationships between libraries at both regional and international level. It is tapestry Harvard and Williams (1972:170) defined International librarianship as a cooperative activity done for the benefit of the individual librarian inn the whole world.Stueart(2007:4) as the development of various kinds of relationships ranging from intellectual ,cultural and professional among individuals and groups from more than one country.On the other hand Lor (2008) views international librarianship as the international activities involving cultural, educational and professional interactions among nations. He further views International librarianship as an academic discipline that scientifically looks at the similarities and differences between countries as well as international cooperation and the role of international organisations in library development.

The ICT Revolution

Mueller (1998) notes that ICT’s have become an integral aspect in all aspects of life and libraries should exploit such an opportunity to promote international cooperation. The advent of new technologies calls for Libraries and related institutions to adopt to change with a high degree of confidence because if we are to escape the gravitational pull of the past, we must be in a state of preparedness to challenges our own orthodoxies according to Prahalad (1999).International cooperation is critical in order to close the information and digital divide that characterize the current global information order.ICT’s are helping in accelerating the rapid spread of globalisation as institutions exploit the infrastructures through which this phenomenon survives. On the one hand globalisation threatens to suffocate the weaker voices in developing countries but thanks to the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) which has been assisting African scholars to gain academic visibility through the African Journals Online (AJOL)

“….Information and communication technologies are developing at a breath-taking pace. They represent the foundation of the coming Information Society which will establish completely new structures in economy and society. This process is chiefly characterised by the globalisation of communication and of all activities linked to it. National frontiers are losing their significance. We are becoming global players ….At the same time there is no aspect of human life and no group in society which is not affected by the new information networks and their potential for growth, wealth-creation and prosperity. In order to exploit this potential we urgently need international cooperation at all levels and on all factors which impede the full development of the Information Society." Mueller (1998)

Kent(1996:2009) notes that the advent of ICT’s requires a fundamental rethink or reworking of the role of the library because technology creates possibilities and consequent options for libraries s, firstly as physical architectural places, secondly, the library as a terminus on the information superhighway, and thirdly the library as a catalyst for converting information into knowledge. Kumar (1999) on the other hand argues that the brave new world is not about computers or technology but rather it is about new concepts, new management and new goals.

Historical development of libraries

The history of libraries stretches to antiquity, for example , the ancient libraries in Ninevah, Syria, Egypt and other parts of West bear testimony to the great foundations of ancient civilization.The libraries of Ashurbanipal and Alexandria, University libraries of Egypt and Fez are classic examples of how libraries played a critical role in Africa prior to colonialism. The libraries of Ashurbanipal and Alexandria, University libraries of Egypt and Fez are classic examples of how libraries played a critical role in Africa prior to colonialism. The International dimension of the Library and Information profession has its roots in great libraries of Alexandria (3.B.C) and Ashurbanipal (668-630).The Mali Manuscripts which are being rehabilated through a partnership with South Africa are good examples of how cooperation is helping to shape information Science. Shoham (et.al) (1996) notes that librarianship as a science goes way back beyond the birth of Jesus Christ.Archaelogical and paleontological excavations carried out from at Kuyunjik the library of Ashurbanipal in the ancient city of Nineveh which is now modern day Iraqi date back as far as 600B.C.

Ancient civilisations in Egypt, Mesopotamia (present day Iraq), and Crete relied on libraries to sustain their knowledge and information industries as well as to sustain and preserve their societal memory. Records were preserved on a plethora of materials ranging from bone, clay, metal wax, wood, papyrus, silk, leather, parchment, vellum paper, film, plastic, and magnet tapes. However, it should be noted that these libraries were a preserve of a privileged few mainly the aristocrats and the clergy because the free flow of Information had not yet been democratized. Knowledge was monopolized by the talented tenth consisting of the privileged classes either the clergy or aristocracy. The ancient society was rigidly stratified on the basis of class and caste and this made it impossible for one to move up the ladder of social progress.

International Cooperation

The International dimension of the Library and Information profession has its roots in great libraries of Alexandria(3.B.C) and Ashurbanipal (668-630).Interest in International librarianship gathered momentum in the twentieth century when the American Library Association(1876) and the British Library Association(1877) Began to engage in international library activities. The early engagements in International Librarianship took the form of representation at each others conferences and those of other national associations. Munford notes that cooperation between the United Kingdom and the United States of America was manifested concretely in the adoption of the Anglo American Cataloguing Rules (AACR2). The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international association of library organisations. It is the global voice of the library and information profession, and its annual conference provides a venue for librarians to learn from one another. International Organisations involved in library and Information Science play a critical role in bringing together LIS professionals irrespective of race, sex, gender and class. Guido Biagi(1855-1925) was one of the founding fathers of International Librarianship. He put forward the idea at International Congress of Librarians in 1904.He predicted that international cooperative libraries would need in the future document supply services, bibliographic standards, preservation and other technical areas. Guido‘s efforts have also been complemented by people Henry La Fonteine who are the Pioneers of the Information Science revolution.

“One of the special characteristics of the library of the future will be cooperation and internationalism applied to the division of labour”

Roots of International Cooperation in LIS

The roots of international librarianship are also anchored on the establishment of the International Institute of Bibliography which later became International Federation for Information and Documentation(FID) founded in the late 1880’s.It is noted that the early leaders of the International Federation of Library Associations were inspired by ideals of world wide peace and cooperation that characterized the early years of the twentieth century, for example, the ideas of President Woodrow Wilson famous for the fourteen points. After the second world war , the United Nations which superseded the ineffective League of Nations Provided the much needed support for library development on an international scale. The decade of decolonization resulted in the emergence of new states in Asia and Africa and this stimulated internationally minded librarians to consider supporting libraries throughout the world.The rise of new nations states and the need to consolidate peace gave rise to the idealistic and ambitious plans for developing national library services in newly independent nations states Especially after the second world War(1939-1945).

Foreign and non- governmental organizations and international organizations also came in to support library development as a way of promoting culture and development, for example, in Anglo-Phone Africa the British Council was forthwith in providing support .On the other hand UNESCO as an inter-governmental organisation promoted the idea of building libraries to support education .it also assisted in the formulation and implantation and evaluation of National Information Policies, for example, World Science Information Systems and National Information Systems (NATIS) programmes for all member states.

Campbell(2001) notes that through-out the post second world war period, IFLA played a critical role in promoting international librarianship through its deliberate policy of reaching out to a potential membership outside Europe and North America..IFLA’s concept of Universal Bibliographic Control and Universal Availability of Publications was widely supported by the library fraternity according to Maurice B.Line.UNESCO managed to set up an Office for UAP in the British Library Lending Division to provide infrastructure for efficient international inter-library lending loan and document supply. National Library adopted an increasingly international outlook as they developed to serve as national centers for international lending and for universal bibliographic control There are various other international non –governmental organisations that have helped in supporting libraries , for example, International Association of Music Libraries(IAML) and International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY),Standing Conference of East, Central and Southern African Libraries (SCECSAL), International Association for the

Availability of Serial Publications(INASP)

International Philanthropic organisations

The growth of International Associations has been due to increased international awareness on the need to maintain cooperation at all levels following the Second World War (1939-1945) and also the advent of new technology with regards to communication and transportation. Philanthropic organisations were also inspired by the doctrine of social responsibility and this resulted in a number of projects aimed at supporting library development in Africa, for example, the Carnage Cooperation built a number of libraries in Mauritius and South Africa at the beginning of the twentieth century. It is noted that Carnegie was imbued with a strong sense of philanthropy and believed in giving to the "industrious and ambitious; not those who need everything done for them, but those who, being most anxious and able to help themselves, deserve and will be benefited by help from others." His philanthropy was meant to help the disadvantaged black Africans access education and this example of how people can make a difference in the lives of other people.

Agada (1998) notes that philanthropic organisations like the Andrew Carnage Corporation of New York has had a profound influence on library education dating back to the beginning of the twentieth century. Its involvement in library development dates back to the colonial era and has continued in the post independent era through assisting library schools and professional associations. Towards the second half of the twentieth century western inspired library projects in African countries began to falter as African countries tried to rid themselves any traits of cultural imperialism as reflected by the works of Adolphe Amadi (1981), Kingo Mchombu (1982) and Sturges and Neil (1990).Mchombu argued that inoder to make library and information work relevant to Africa there was need to formulate terms of reference that are consistent with the needs of underdeveloped societies. Mchombu (1982) further noted that such terms of reference are largely nonexistent, and where they do exist they are vague and frequently irrelevant.

However despite all critical questions a number of governmental aid agencies especially those from USA, Britain, France and Nordic countries continue to play a crucial role in supporting library development in third world countries, for example, Bill and Gates Melinda Foundation, and Carnegie Cooperation. The continued support has helped to stimulate programmes aimed at capacity building through the provision of training opportunities for future leaders of the library profession inn developing countries, for example, Jay Jordan IFLA/OCLC Early Career Fellowship Programme. On the other hand the American Library Association (ALA) and International Federation of Library Association (IFLA) have joined hands to Campaign for World’s Libraries. The main aim is to showcase the unique vital roles played by libraries world –wide and to speak loudly and clearly about the value of libraries in the new millennium. This campaign will sensitise governments on the critical role libraries play and the need to increase funding for libraries.

Library development is critical for social and, economic transformation and this is why it is imperative to encourage international cooperation amongst libraries and related institutions and librarians or knowledge workers. International conferences provide platforms for sharing knowledge and creating synergies based on mutual reciprocity.IFLA Should be commended for doing a great job in creating a family of libraries and librarians who appreciate cultural diversity, democracy, unity and the need to create a just and equitable world whereby people are informed and educated through libraries. However the efforts to encourage and sustain this cooperation are sometimes hampered by travel restrictions in developed countries which make it very difficult for professional from poor countries to travel because of stringent visa requirements. This is something that should be looked at without really compromising international travel rules. Professionals from developing countries are subjected to excruciating scrutiny by consulate officials. Libraries and librarians are the true democrats who should be in the forefront in promoting understanding and cultural integration in a world threatened by snobbery and anachronism. Through Information we can break the barriers and rise above our cultural silos, racial stereotypes and prejudices so that we do not look a reality from misty foggy eyes or clouded spectacles.

The Spanish philosopher Jose Ortega (1935) was indeed right in defending the humanistic tradition of the library when he noted that the Guttenberg galaxy or Milky Way phase had provided the basis for democracy by making information accessible to many people just as how ICT’S are liberating people from the constraints of time and space. “…democratic society is a daughter of the books, the triumph of the book culture, and the triumph of the book written by man over the book revealed by God, over the book of laws dictated by the autocracy”

Conclusion

International cooperation in Library and Information Science is real a reality as reflected by the numerous examples of programmes and projects that are currently underway in both developed and developing countries. However there are challenges with regards to the digital and information divide but these are global challenges that require a concerted effort of all. The humanistic tradition should not lull us into slumber for librarians need to consider their abilities to change, to anticipate change and find ways through which we can make adjustments. Prahalad states that if one intends to escape the gravitational pull of the past he or she has to be willing to challenge established orthodoxies. International cooperation will help to strengthen the library profession and promote peace, development and cultural integration. The dream of creating a democratic society can only be realized through ensuring that there is equal and unfettered access to information to enable people to cope with the socio-economic challenges of the brave new world. The destiny of librarians and libraries lies in the hands of library and information professionals and through regional and international cooperation we will be able to shape it for the better. “The great excitement of the future is that we shape it ”

References

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