The training program provides technical assistance to the librarians throughout PREL’s service region. It is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to contribute improvements to library sectors not only in Palau, but also in Kosrae, Chuuk, Yap, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Pohnpei, American Samoa and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Jane Barnwell, Director of Library and Information Literacy Initiatives, PREL, personally led the SLC training which was held on June 14 to 18.
“This three-year project is geared to help the Ministry of Education’s school libraries, museum libraries, as well as private school libraries in Palau with their leadership and advancement skills, as well as to help them enhance their own library programs and get access to relevant resources,” explained Barnwell.
The one-week training was attended by librarians of almost 20 libraries in Palau. The participants talked about the images of librarians in Palau; they were also taught how to create compelling programs in school libraries, including creating library promotional materials, such as signs, flyers, brochures; they also learned different strategies for Internet research and as well as using PowerPoint effectively.
According to Barnwell, on Wednesday, the group went up to Ngaremlengui to help its new library open for the school year.
“The librarian is very new,” Barnwell said. “We came up with a kind of critique of his library space. All of us went up there on an MOE bus, and we gave him recommendations, moved furniture, made arts on the wall and welcome signs. We basically put what we learned into action.”
Aside from helping librarians create effective programs for libraries, the program also taught them all about library budgeting and grant writing strategies. Since it is summer, Barnwell also taught them how they can develop their libraries as a community resource during the summer months
Chief Sinton Soalablai of MOE also discussed the Ministry’s visions for libraries in Palau.
“It was really a very active workshop that helped,” said Barnwell. “It was not your ordinary workshop where people just talk and talk. This was a do, do, do workshop.”
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