We Need Laboratories in Our Libraries

Creativity is often unlocked when there are opportunities to test ideas. Many die with their ideas because they do not have the chance to try them out. Most of what I can boast of today were discovered in the 'lab' of trial and error. It is my conviction that libraries should be labs for development of library-related packages. We know what we need. We should take the lead. But, we do not have skills. Then, we should attract those woth the skills to come and help us out. What do you think?

Money! Money!!: Where is the Money?

It is normal for you and I to think up projects we can run. Ideas run like 'mad' in our minds. But the problem has always been money! Ideas die because there is no money. Programs are scruttled simply because the fund dried up on the way. For us in the developing countries, it is normal thing to say "There is no money" for virtually all areas of development. But, there are institutions with a lot of money. Who can sponsor projects. Some are well known like McArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation and the likes. But many we do not know. But, that is not even the major problem, we do not know hoe to write proposals for funding. If any agency will like to help developing countries Libraries, they should train them on Funding seeking / raising. I hope one day we will all be schooled on Grants seeking and before we know it, money will start to roll in. But the question is still there, where is the money?

Consortia, Collaborations, ... The Way To Go!

Mid February, 2006, I was priviledged to do a presentation on Grants Seeking at a National Conference in Kano. One of the facts that was emphasized to would-based grant seekers was the need for institutions seeking funding to form Collaborations or Consortia. Some Funders have 'forced' grant seekers to form themselves into groups. In South Africa and Nigeria, this is beoming common-place. What then is the gist, we should follow the old adage; "Birds of the same feather, flock together". It is high time we should learn to work together.Look for a project and seek for funding to do it together.

Where Are The Young?

I was in a high level meeting the other day and we were discussing about the up-coming professionals and the question that came up was "Where are the young?" I took time to think about it. I asked myself over and over again about their whereabout. Where are they? Library Schools? Streets? Book shops? or where?

Now I can now the sence in what some Library schools are trying to do - to bring in professionals to speak to students. What of library attachments? These are really great. But, what of people like us that do not take student on attachment? What shall we do?