wsis project prizes 2013 – c3. agrolib ja (agricultural libraries in jagodina) (public library...
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Presentation given by Jelena Rajic, librarian at the Public Library Radislav Nikcevic in Jagodina, Serbia at the WSIS Forum 2013 on the winning project of WSIS Project Prizes 2013 in the category C3. Access to information and knowledge: AgroLib Ja (Agricultural Libraries in Jagodina) (Public Library Radislav Nikcevic, Republic of Serbia)TRANSCRIPT
Public Library Radislav Nikčević in Jagodina
Serbia
Agricultural Libraries
in Jagodina
There is a network of around 230,000 libraries in the world. Almost all
countries around the world have a network of libraries, even in the most remote areas. The mission of libraries
is to provide their users with information for life-long learning and to participate in informal education.
When creating strategies for ICT education of rural residents,
governments often overlook the fact that libraries could be of great
assistance.
Libraries more and more often attract attention with innovative projects that include ICT education and its use. With the project from Serbia-Agricultural Libraries In Jagodina,
awarded by the World Summit of Information Society 2013, we want all governments and funders to focus their attention on the role of libraries in their mission to provide access to
information and knowledge.
Map of Jagodina town and villages.
During the 70s and the 80s all bigger villages in the municipality of Jagodina, Serbia had village libraries. At that time library
services were traditional and users were students and literature fans.
During the 90s libraries were neglected due to economic and
political crisis.
Rural library in Glogovac was in poor condition
In 2008 Public Library Radislav Nikcevic in Jagodina conducted a survey on the
condition of rural libraries in the municipality and needs of the agricultural population. The results showed that rural libraries were in poor condition, the book
funds were outdated and inadequate. Predominantly rural residents could not
use computers and did not understand the benefits of using ICT technologies.
On the other hand, Serbian government and institutions in Serbia transferred to the electronic notification system. Vacancies on subsidies and incentives for farmers are
published on the website of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Agriculture. The state does not
have a clearly-defined strategy regarding ICT literacy of rural population.
Public library in Jagodina town is fully developed.
Having realized the problems in Jagodina’s rural libraries and problems
of agricultural population in the villages, it was concluded that the modernized and revitalized rural
libraries could lead to changes in the villages. The concept of a village
library that would be the information, communication and cultural hub of local communities was designed.
Rural library in Bunar village was in poor condition
Website of the AgroLib-Ja project
For the realization of big ideas start-up capital is needed.
Therefore, Jagodina Public Library searched for the
incentives for the idea. The revitalization of rural
libraries project was named AgroLib Ja (Agricultural Libraries in Jagodina).
AgroLib-Ja project logo
Now to agricultural population in five rural libraries the following
services are available :
1. Agricultural magazines and literature
2. Internet access and ICT training
3. Lectures in the field of agriculture
4. Website www.agrolib.rs and www.agrolib.rs/pijaca/ (AgroLib market)
Apart from traditional library services, village libraries provide ICT training for farmers. Farmers acquire
basic computer skills, learn how to use social networks
and forums and how to search useful information and to buy
and sell on the Internet. All 5 libraries have access to the Internet and computers. Using the Internet is free. ICT
training for farmers, organized in the village libraries was also free.
Website AgroLib market
The goal of launching the online marketplace
http://www.agrolib.rs/pijaca/ is to gather all farmers in one place,
which facilitates communication and exchange of experiences.
Also, advertising on the website helps them find buyers for their products. The ultimate goal is to
improve economic and social status of farmers.
ICT trainings for beekeepers from Bagrdan
In the beginning we faced great opposition from farmers to ICT.
When we gained the trust and support from beekeepers from Bagrdan, the
attitude of farmers towards new information technologies started to change. Farmers are now not only
members of rural libraries, but also of the town library-Public library in
Jagodina.
PublicLibrary
Radislav Nikcevic
in Jagodina
logo
During the realization of the project AgroLib we interviewed users of the project to hear their opinions about the benefits of the project
and we made video stories. Also, a local TV station followed the
development of the project. Here is one of the videos about Ljiljana Vulic from Staro
Laniste, who is engaged in mat –weaving.
Farmers in rural
libraries
Libraries and the website became places for exchanging good ideas and even for starting agribusiness. A lot of people are telling us their stories about how the website or going to the
library helped them. There are a lot of stories we do not know about. We suppose there is a great number of them because the village libraries and the online marketplace
AgroLib are more and more visited.
To date Over 900 farmers regularly use the AgroLib Ja services. Over 150 farmers were trained to use the internet in three years - and 87% of
farmers say they are using the internet at the library to look for agricultural information.
Over 1.000 farmers attended panel discussions and lectures . The library launched the AgroLib Ja website - www.agrolib.rs, which in 2011
had over 30,000 visitors, in 2012 had over 60.000 visitors, and in 2013 there are for about 10% more visits to the site than at the same time, last year.
Five village libraries were renovated and equipped and are now vital community centres.
The idea of rural agricultural libraries in Serbia was the inspiration for many
libraries in other countries. After a year, Public Library Innovation Programme
supported financially three libraries that adapted the idea of AgroLib to the needs
of their local communities. These are Public libraries in Latvia, Lithuania and FYROM. The goal is the same, enabling
access to information by using new information technologies.
Library webinar series saves us time and money, say farmers
Klintaine Public Library in Latvia made a network of rural libraries. To save costs of arriving at the seminars and lectures, the library makes webinars for farmers.
Through webinars, farmers gather in libraries and are able to communicate with some of the representatives of
government agencies and agricultural experts, and in that way they get first
hand information..
LIBR-A Project Manager Rita Bedulyte demonstrates the
library's website for farmers.
Pasvalys Marius Katiliskis Public Library in Lithuania develops services with so-
called Smart phones, because their farmers can already use computers. On smart phones, farmers connect to the
Internet, they have cameras and media players. Also, they have a web portal
for monitoring informaiton about agriulture. This library develops a
website for helping farmers communicate.
Library on Wheels - the INFOBUS
Public Library Goce Delcev in Macedonia copied the AgroLib project
completely, which is not surprising given that the situation in their country
is alsmost identical to the one in Serbia. The only difference is they do not revitalize rural libraries, because they have Infobus, and they inform farmers through text messages about
trainings and on various types of financing that are intended for them.
Libraries - information, communication and
cultural centers of their local communities
AgroLib project as well as projects by other libraries which implement similar ideas show that rural libraries should be
given a new role in modern librarianship. They should become
educational, informational, communication and cultural centers in their local communities. Also, they can
be triggers for social and economic changes in communities and beyond.
Farmers after ICT education
.
New information technologies, the use of social networks and certain websites can be an important factor in education
and associating farmers. Rural libraries can be places that encourage professional and ICT education of farmers.
Libraries are potential that can help meet the millennium development goals, especially in the developing and transitioning countries.
We believe that libraries power development.