The Chief Minister ’s Public Library of The Year Award 2020

Greetings from Pustaka Negeri Sarawak http://www.pustaka-sarawak.com

Introduction

Community libraries are amongst the most local of services and should be accessible to the public that they serve. The community libraries serve many diverse functions and needs, not just as venues for the reading and lending of books, but also community development centres that should focus on grass-roots education, empowerment and economic development. In Sarawak, the provision of public libraries is uneven across the state with varying levels of quality in term of infrastructural facilities and services.

In light of these prevalent disparities and the critical issues of sustainability, concerted efforts are required from the relevant authorities, local community leaders and policy makers. There is also a need to reevaluate the current library funding mechanisms, digital divide and information inequities. These public libraries need to be properly equipped if they are to meet the changing needs and priorities of their local communities,appropriately. As at December 2017, Sarawak has 261 units of public libraries; 48 Divisional and District libraries and 175 village libraries including 38 village libraries established by the National Library of Malaysia.

Brief information about the Award

The Chief Minister’s Public Library of The Year Award 2020 is to officially honor and appreciate a public library in Sarawak for its outstanding efforts in creating readers through its notable contributions towards raising the literacy level in Sarawak and has also transformed individuals and advanced community progress.

4 sub categories of the Award are also given to recognize those libraries that do not win the main award but have also contributed towards lifelong learning through, their role as:

• The Library as the Innovation Center
  

The Library practices innovations and creativity in the library and service delivery (e.g. implementation of new services or new technologies/sustainability initiatives, Makerspace, STEM activities)

• The Library as the vital asset of the community
  

The Library has received public recognitions for its outstanding contributions and support in meaningful ways to the quality of life in their community

• The Library as the epicenter of the community.
  

The Library serves as an integral part of the community infrastructure/serving as ‘people place’ in its communities.

• The Library as the strategic partner
  

The Library has established several successful collaborations and strategically leveraging these relationships, to become very useful to their communities.

Objectives of the Award

To ensure that the provision of public library services, products and facilities meet the needs of the users/community for education, information and their civic life

To provide the opportunity to promote creativity, innovation and excellence within the library and information profession

As a proof of the government's commitment and support to ensure effective and impactful public library services in Sarawak.

Criteria

The percentage assigned to each criterion are weighted upon the relevance to the competition, the requirements and the goals of the public libraries.

Eligibility

This competition is open to all public libraries in Sarawak whereby entrants compete on a level playing field.

The self-assessment system shall be used for short-listing process. The libraries shall rate themselves with statistical data as evidence. The judges shall only visit and assess short -listed libraries that have scored 80% and above, in the self-assessment exercise.

Project timeline

2019

Tasks

To do workshop on awareness on the requirements of the awards and the self-assessment system

To do condition audit of the existing facilities in the library, identify gaps e.g. availability of basic utilities, connectivity and the information resources

To compile the audit report and present the findings and requirements to the Government/relevant agencies to take relevant actions

To do workshop for all heads of the libraries on library standards and service delivery

2020

Tasks

Carry out the assessment/judging based on the self-assessment by the libraries

Compile report on the finding (judges assessment vs library’s assessment)

Present report/findings to the Government/relevant authorities for actions

Presentation of awards

Recognition

The winner - a certificate, trophy and grant of RM 20,000.00

4 sub-categories award - a certificate, trophy and grant of RM10,000.00 each

Panel of Judges

To ensure objectivity One representative from the Librarians Association of Malaysia, Sarawak Chapter.

A representative from the State Implementation Monitoring Unit, Chief Minister Department (as the Agency administering quality awards in the State)

One librarian from Pustaka Negeri Sarawak/University Libraries in Sarawak

A community leader

A member of NGO

Frequency of Award

Once in 2 years

Expected outcome

Compliance to the Guidelines/International Library Standards by 60%.

Increase of library visibility among the community

A target of at least 10% of the Sarawak population are library users and members

Details regarding this Award can be obtained by contact Mr. Razak Rambili at razakr@sarawak.gov.my/Miss Dayang Najwa Hazabi Bt. Awang Zaini at najwa@sarawak.gov.my

Pustaka Negeri Sarawak/Sarawak State Library