The document discusses the state of libraries in Samoa. It notes that a recent tsunami destroyed five primary schools on the south coast of Samoa. The recovery process is underway but supporting Samoa's libraries is important for education, literacy, and equal access to information. There are approximately 50 libraries in Samoa but only 10 qualified librarians and limited internet access. Challenges facing Samoan libraries include lack of funding, materials in the Samoan language, unskilled library workers, and vulnerability to natural disasters. The author is serving as a librarian at the National University of Samoa through the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development program.

1. Samoan library, Australian librarian: connecting people and libraries through international volunteering Presented by Susanne Newton Australian Youth Ambassador for Development National University of Samoa Library

2. Samoa: Paradise lost? Two weeks ago a tsunami caused major damage along the south coast of Upolu, Samoa’s main island, taking away the lives, homes and livelihoods of many Samoans. All the main libraries are in Apia on the north coast and are unaffected by the tsunami Five primary schools destroyed on the south coast that may have had small library collections.

3. Samoa: Paradise lost? The tsunami is a setback for this developing country and a blow to tourism and development The recovery process is in full swing. The Samoan community have come together to support those affected It is more important than ever to support Samoa Improving library services and training more Samoan library staff is crucial to education, literacy and equal access to information for the Samoan people

4. Lalomanu before:

5. Lalomanu after:

8. Libraries in Samoa

9. Libraries in Samoa One public library with two branches serves a population of 180,000 Many Samoans have never accessed a library Two university libraries, one environmental library, one medical library, and a few dozen small school libraries = approximately 50 libraries in country Approximately 10 qualified librarians in country No free public internet access available No public internet at the public library at all

11. Reading in Samoa Less than fivebookshops serve the entire population Books are expensive! $NZ40 for one book when a weekly wage may be less than $NZ80 a week Main sources of reading material are the newspapers, published in English and Samoan, and the Samoan bible Samoa has a strong oral tradition of songs and stories for passing on knowledge – how can libraries tap into this?

12. Challenges in Samoan Libraries Lack of money – Libraries rely heavily on donated material Lack of Samoan language material No dedicated National Library or legal deposit of all Samoan material Lack of skilled library workers – studying is expensive! Humidity / insects Slow / no internet access = Web 0.0! 1950s attitude of libraries as silent and for study only

13. Challenges in Samoan Libraries Vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters Very little material digitised Most libraries still rely on a card catalogue system Samoans have less access to current books and information then developed nations Lack of internet access = less opportunity to access information A reading culture needs to be more developed

14. Challenges in Samoan libraries Irrelevant or aged collections

15. How I ended up in Samoa I am spending one year in Samoa through the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development program, which sends 400 skilled young volunteers to developing countries each year, funded by AusAid. I feel incredibly lucky be spending a year in Samoa and experience Samoan culture and hospitality first hand I am devastated by the recent tsunami, which has affected each and every one of us living on the islands.

16. My role I am a librarian at the National University of Samoa (NUS) library, serving a student population of 2000. I coordinate the Pacific Law Library twinning program between NUS and an Australian law library I lecture on a certificate course teaching 40 students to be school library assistants I serve on the Library Association of Samoa executive committee, which this year has run a Library Week, storytelling sessions and a short story competition

20. Without skilled library workers...

21. Without skilled library workers... Insects breed Books collect dust Collections are unused and unorganised Irrelevant collections Little understanding of how a library is used, e.g. a school principal not wanting to let students into the school library, let alone borrow as the resources are seen as precious

22. School Library Assistant Course Now in its third cohort, approximately 80 students have completed a four month course to work as a school library assistant In practice, these students run school libraries single-handedly – a tough job! It’s important to have training for library workers in country. To go further than certificate level, however, Samoans must study by distance, which can be prohibitively expensive

32. Library Association of Samoa

33. Library Association of Samoa

34. Library Week Samoa A huge success! An incredible response to Library Week from a country that ‘doesn’t read’ Second Library Week ever; first was held in 1986 Storytelling sessions at the public library Short story competition attracted 150 original poems and stories about Samoan life 500+ Samoan children paraded through town dressed as their favourite book character accompanied by the US Navy Band and the Samoan Police Band

42. ‘Learn to read, read to learn’

47. Pacific Law Library Twinning Program An Australian Law Library is twinned with a Pacific Law Library to provide resources, support and training NUS Library is twinned with the Australian Attorney General’s Department Library The Pacific Islands Law Library Community provides support for librarians working across the Pacific Australian Law Libraries are twinned with libraries in Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Cook Islands and the Solomon Islands Many library staff in these countries are running libraries with little or no training

50. Samoan libraries need: More up to date and relevant resources More IT infrastructure and access More training for library staff More Samoan language material To develop a stronger culture of library use, particularly amongst children and students Better buildings to house materials, e.g. Air conditioning More digitisation to make important material less vulnerable to the elements Professional development for Samoan library staff

51. How you can help Donate to the tsunami relief fund Consider donating your weeded material that is in good condition to Samoa Consider twinning your library with a Samoan library Scholarships for Samoan/Pacific library students Exchange programs between Samoan and NZ libraries Send library specialists to Samoa for training regularly Allow Samoan libraries free or discounted access to information your library holds e.g. theses relating to Samoa

52. Contact Susanne Newton Australian Youth Ambassador for Development National University of Samoa Library PO Box 2133 Apia, Samoa susannenewton@hotmail.com libraryassociationofsamoa@gmail.com

53. Any questions?