IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section – Janet Fletcher
Janet Fletcher has been the University Librarian at Victoria University of Wellington since December 2015. She leads the library and is responsible for developing its vision, strategic plan and implementation strategies to ensure that the library provides high-quality library resources, excellent client-centred services and a supportive learning environment. She is also responsible for policy development, monitoring of performance indicators, building planning, and budget allocation and forecasting.
For eight years, Janet was an active member of IFLA’s Academic and Research Libraries’ Standing Committee and was the Information Coordinator for most of this time. This is Janet’s first term on IFLA’s Library Buildings and Equipment Section Standing Committee (2019-2023) where she holds the role of Secretary. |
About the Library Buildings and Equipment Section
This section considers all matters concerning the design and construction for all types of libraries in all parts of the world, and their furnishing and equipment. The section aims to collect and disseminate knowledge about buildings and equipment in order to increase this knowledge among librarians. It also aims to establish better contacts between librarians and architects by creating the conditions under which it will be possible for each of them to understand the other's language, by promoting an exchange of experiences between librarians and architects.
This section considers all matters concerning the design and construction for all types of libraries in all parts of the world, and their furnishing and equipment. The section aims to collect and disseminate knowledge about buildings and equipment in order to increase this knowledge among librarians. It also aims to establish better contacts between librarians and architects by creating the conditions under which it will be possible for each of them to understand the other's language, by promoting an exchange of experiences between librarians and architects.
Kia ora Janet, thank you for sharing your experiences with our readers. Firstly, how did you get started working in IFLA?
I got involved because IFLA represents all libraries across the world and I really value the input from all our library sectors. I want to actively contribute on a global level. That’s why I like to be actively involved in the standing committees. Working on the Academic and Research Libraries’ Standing Committee was my first involvement.
What does it actually involve – day-to-day?
Committee members are elected on; representing libraries as a whole but also each sector. So, for me, that meant the academic and research side of things was the most relevant. Our role is to share our knowledge and experiences; look at the issues that our sector is dealing with (and the community in general) and contribute to seeking solutions as to how libraries can assist our communities. It’s very interesting to learn about the similarities of those issues around the globe but also understanding the differences and challenges that we have. For example, we know that our African colleagues will have different challenges to what we have in the Pacific/Oceania area. But, it’s surprising how many similarities we have compared to differences. We all have funding issues, staffing issues, open access is a big thing, copyright, IP – we tackle the big questions.
How do you handle the workload? Do you get release time from your day job?
That is up to the individual. My university workplaces have always been supportive, they understand the value of having an international perspective around my role. It is a personal commitment. Due to the time difference, you have to be prepared to have a lot of conversations in the middle of the night. You have to be prepared to give up your time but it’s your professional development and your passion. We do these things because we are wanting to make a difference.
Financially, it can also be a commitment. Although your institution may support you to attend IFLA’s World Library and Information Congress or WLIC, often your committee will also have mid-year meetings. That’s changing, due to the pandemic. But, if we are talking about the Library Buildings and Equipment Section, a lot of our work is actually visiting libraries. So, there is a financial commitment, which not everyone can afford. That is why we like to move around the world for the congress so that people who might not be able to afford to travel can get involved with IFLA.
Is working in IFLA only something for senior LIS professionals?
I would love it to be more balanced in that respect. Probably the thing holding back people in their early career is the financial aspect. We’ve learned through this pandemic about bringing others on board. But you have to be active, so it doesn’t matter where you are in your career – you just have to be active. Some people get on these standing committees and are then silent – that is really worrying. We really want input and it’s important that people from our smaller countries are actively involved. It’s great to see how involved New Zealand is and Bill Macnaught had a lot to do with that.
What do you get out of working with IFLA? How does it help your career?
It helps your career by allowing you to meet people from all library sectors at all stages of their career. When you turn up to a standing committee, members are all the same – there is no hierarchy. Within a standing committee, you are all able to contribute on an equal basis. Obviously, you have your office bearers – the chair, the secretary, the information coordinator, but there is no reason why someone can’t put their hand up and get voted on. That commitment is all you need.
What would you say to someone contemplating working with IFLA? I guess it’s all about being prepared to make that commitment, as you say.
Yes, to be prepared to make the commitment – put the time in, not be silent. To not be frightened of being part of IFLA. Librarians are traditionally good, supportive, colleagues. IFLA used to appear to be this mysterious, opaque, machine. But, the more you get involved the more it reveals itself to you. You get to know some fabulous people; you learn along the way; and you grow your network of colleagues. After over a decade of being on IFLA, I can write to people in the States, China – anywhere really – and ask them questions and advice. I love the variety – like the poster sessions in the exhibition area during WLIC. You get to see people from all over the world, showcasing what they are doing. In many cases, money is not the driver but they are doing amazing things. For example, I met one man who had organised TED talks in his small town in a Scandinavian country and everybody in the town turned up to hear the talk. I asked him: “How did you organise that?” – because TED talks are a big deal – and he just said: “I asked”. And I thought that was such a perfect answer – that’s what libraries can do for their communities – they just need to ask.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of being on the Library Buildings and Equipment Standing Committee?
The people, and it’s not just librarians. On this standing committee, we also have architects – both for buildings and spaces – our conversations are very rich because of that.
We also have the IFLA/Systematic Public Library of the Year award, which celebrates new public libraries. The award is presented to a library anywhere in the world that best combines open, functional architecture with creative IT solutions and also takes into account both digital developments and local culture. Check out our Instagram account!
What I miss most about lockdown is visiting all these libraries. Just prior to the pandemic, we met in Canada and visited some amazing public and academic libraries in Montreal.
What’s the most challenging?
The time factor – but the rewards far outweigh that. And timezones! Trying to organize meetings where everyone is in a decent time frame is virtually impossible and Downunder we tend to be the ones that suffer!
What considerations does living in a COVID world bring to library buildings?
Some of the work we do is around building standards and we are building a list of standards from around the world. Now there are more conversations happening around the impact on future building standards from the need to socially distance in libraries. There are already conversations going on in the US and UK around the future of library design and the need for more internal space for people within libraries.
When we go through these issues, we need to think about how we can still provide a service to our community where space is still important and you can bring people back in a safe way. It’s an interesting topic of conversation.
What we might find next year is that more of the congress will be online. Hopefully, that will mean that far more people will be able to attend and see what we actually do and inspire more people to join us.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers about working with IFLA?
Just that you need to bring passion – librarians are very good at that. LIANZA is a very active network in NZ and I think we can take that further to the rest of the world.
Thank you so much for your time! I hope you get a good break over summer.
I got involved because IFLA represents all libraries across the world and I really value the input from all our library sectors. I want to actively contribute on a global level. That’s why I like to be actively involved in the standing committees. Working on the Academic and Research Libraries’ Standing Committee was my first involvement.
What does it actually involve – day-to-day?
Committee members are elected on; representing libraries as a whole but also each sector. So, for me, that meant the academic and research side of things was the most relevant. Our role is to share our knowledge and experiences; look at the issues that our sector is dealing with (and the community in general) and contribute to seeking solutions as to how libraries can assist our communities. It’s very interesting to learn about the similarities of those issues around the globe but also understanding the differences and challenges that we have. For example, we know that our African colleagues will have different challenges to what we have in the Pacific/Oceania area. But, it’s surprising how many similarities we have compared to differences. We all have funding issues, staffing issues, open access is a big thing, copyright, IP – we tackle the big questions.
How do you handle the workload? Do you get release time from your day job?
That is up to the individual. My university workplaces have always been supportive, they understand the value of having an international perspective around my role. It is a personal commitment. Due to the time difference, you have to be prepared to have a lot of conversations in the middle of the night. You have to be prepared to give up your time but it’s your professional development and your passion. We do these things because we are wanting to make a difference.
Financially, it can also be a commitment. Although your institution may support you to attend IFLA’s World Library and Information Congress or WLIC, often your committee will also have mid-year meetings. That’s changing, due to the pandemic. But, if we are talking about the Library Buildings and Equipment Section, a lot of our work is actually visiting libraries. So, there is a financial commitment, which not everyone can afford. That is why we like to move around the world for the congress so that people who might not be able to afford to travel can get involved with IFLA.
Is working in IFLA only something for senior LIS professionals?
I would love it to be more balanced in that respect. Probably the thing holding back people in their early career is the financial aspect. We’ve learned through this pandemic about bringing others on board. But you have to be active, so it doesn’t matter where you are in your career – you just have to be active. Some people get on these standing committees and are then silent – that is really worrying. We really want input and it’s important that people from our smaller countries are actively involved. It’s great to see how involved New Zealand is and Bill Macnaught had a lot to do with that.
What do you get out of working with IFLA? How does it help your career?
It helps your career by allowing you to meet people from all library sectors at all stages of their career. When you turn up to a standing committee, members are all the same – there is no hierarchy. Within a standing committee, you are all able to contribute on an equal basis. Obviously, you have your office bearers – the chair, the secretary, the information coordinator, but there is no reason why someone can’t put their hand up and get voted on. That commitment is all you need.
What would you say to someone contemplating working with IFLA? I guess it’s all about being prepared to make that commitment, as you say.
Yes, to be prepared to make the commitment – put the time in, not be silent. To not be frightened of being part of IFLA. Librarians are traditionally good, supportive, colleagues. IFLA used to appear to be this mysterious, opaque, machine. But, the more you get involved the more it reveals itself to you. You get to know some fabulous people; you learn along the way; and you grow your network of colleagues. After over a decade of being on IFLA, I can write to people in the States, China – anywhere really – and ask them questions and advice. I love the variety – like the poster sessions in the exhibition area during WLIC. You get to see people from all over the world, showcasing what they are doing. In many cases, money is not the driver but they are doing amazing things. For example, I met one man who had organised TED talks in his small town in a Scandinavian country and everybody in the town turned up to hear the talk. I asked him: “How did you organise that?” – because TED talks are a big deal – and he just said: “I asked”. And I thought that was such a perfect answer – that’s what libraries can do for their communities – they just need to ask.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of being on the Library Buildings and Equipment Standing Committee?
The people, and it’s not just librarians. On this standing committee, we also have architects – both for buildings and spaces – our conversations are very rich because of that.
We also have the IFLA/Systematic Public Library of the Year award, which celebrates new public libraries. The award is presented to a library anywhere in the world that best combines open, functional architecture with creative IT solutions and also takes into account both digital developments and local culture. Check out our Instagram account!
What I miss most about lockdown is visiting all these libraries. Just prior to the pandemic, we met in Canada and visited some amazing public and academic libraries in Montreal.
What’s the most challenging?
The time factor – but the rewards far outweigh that. And timezones! Trying to organize meetings where everyone is in a decent time frame is virtually impossible and Downunder we tend to be the ones that suffer!
What considerations does living in a COVID world bring to library buildings?
Some of the work we do is around building standards and we are building a list of standards from around the world. Now there are more conversations happening around the impact on future building standards from the need to socially distance in libraries. There are already conversations going on in the US and UK around the future of library design and the need for more internal space for people within libraries.
When we go through these issues, we need to think about how we can still provide a service to our community where space is still important and you can bring people back in a safe way. It’s an interesting topic of conversation.
What we might find next year is that more of the congress will be online. Hopefully, that will mean that far more people will be able to attend and see what we actually do and inspire more people to join us.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers about working with IFLA?
Just that you need to bring passion – librarians are very good at that. LIANZA is a very active network in NZ and I think we can take that further to the rest of the world.
Thank you so much for your time! I hope you get a good break over summer.