In late 2023 I was honoured to be one of the 12 individuals selected to participate in the Measurement, evaluation, and demonstrating impact of library services train the trainer program developed by IFLA. I will be working with my colleague Premila Gamage from Sri Lanka to deliver this program across Asia Oceania.
The program provides a framework and tools to strengthen the capacity libraries in planning for impact through community engagement and demonstrating the difference libraries make to individuals and communities. The training aims to help public libraries better understand their changing communities through community assessment and needs identification, to plan activities that meet those needs and can make a difference, measure performance, and evaluate outcomes and impact – benefits for people and changes in communities.
Last but not least, the training has a component of evidence-based storytelling, providing a framework for telling compelling stories to demonstrate the contribution of libraries to sustainable development and beyond, and helping to ensure all stakeholders truly understand our value and impact.
Over three days the team from Trinidad and Tobago, Chile, USA, Canada, Germany, Latvia, Oman, Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Australia (me) came together to share experiences and work through and refine the training program. There was plenty of time for learning, but also for laughter!
I’m really looking forward to working with colleagues on rolling out this training which can be broken down into modules, if you’re interested please make contact.
Final word, after spending a week in The Hague in November I can confirm that the rain there really is horizontal and omnipresent.
Jan Richards Consulting 