> Small is not as beautiful as all that: factors affecting developments within the pacific rim.
> John Evans, South Pacific Centre for Communication and Information in Development, University of Papua New Guinea.
> Paper presented at
> Networking the Pacific: An International Forum <http://www.idrc.ca/library/document/netpac/intro.html>
> A conference presented by the
> British Columbia Library Association
> May 5 - 6 , 1995
> Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
> My previous paper at this meeting outlines what has occurred in the region. In this paper I would like to cover some of the factors that will merit consideration by network developers. I hesitate to use the words "obstacle or barrier". Though the progress outlined in the previous paper may seem limited - and it most assuredly is in terms of the population served - it has taken place in a short period of time and in less than optimum conditions. Should meetings like this create a more favourable climate for enhancement of information services, ensure the availability of supporting resources, and suggest appropriate strategies there is every likelihood that further progress will be possible. Given the limited time to prepare for this event some of this material derives from earlier papers. (Evans,1993a; 1993b)
> Features of small states
> Small states are not a monopoly of the South Pacific and are to be found in all parts of the world, and have a diversity of cultures. Diversity, as the table shows, extends to populations (small and very small) and per capita income. Papua New Guinea, with 3.9 million, is not small by the standard definition (populations up to 1,500,000). Yet the system of decentralised government in 19 provinces, with their own provincial assemblies and administrations in addition to central government agencies, means that in many cases the factors applicable in small states are applicable also to it.
> Diversity also extends to land area, geographical characteristics and of isolation or remarkable closeness to their neighbours. The study of small states is a topic of interest and two recent studies have looked at education services. (Bray 1991a, 1991b) According to these studies small states are often heavily dependent on foreign trade and reliant on foreign aid. Human resources may be the most valuable asset but are obviously limited in number and the following factors apply:-
> 1. Previously acquired knowledge is rather meagre 2. Attitudes are not being formed in conditions of successful services 3. Preparatory education may be a rather basic level 4. Self-motivation may be absent
> Other features are a strong sense of national and cultural identity and a corresponding emphasis on national development. A major aspect is that close interpersonal relationships are the norm in small countries. Political and other leaders are known personally and the role of individual is more significant. This has an effect on administration and the climate in which criticisms and decisions are made and taken. Small makes for deeper and harmonious personal relations with top leaders more likely to communicate with one another. However on the negative side individuals become more susceptible to group pressures and criticism is often muted and informal as a result. Small states are not immune from exploitation by very strong characters and elites.
> The impact on librarians is that they are few, far apart and short of most forms of support. There are consequent effects on training and fewer resources to develop training plans. Given limited numbers of librarians available these will need to develop - as the studies suggest for educational administrators - as multifunctional people - "jacks of at least several trades and masters of them all". Alternatively they have to diversify into several functional and administrative areas after initial training and confidence building. >
> There are other features but concerted thought, backed by research into library / information practices and training needs and practicalities could be an useful function for the enhancement of the library services of small developing countries, rendering small resource and training inputs more meaningful and productive.
> General issues and concerns for network development Something to network The "Pacific Rim" contains numerous small island nations scattered over a very considerable expanse of sea. Library services in these developing South Pacific countries, outside the universities, are often poor, but improvements are taking place. Some countries, such as the Solomon Islands and Kiribati, have made significant attempts to extend services to rural areas. Thus while well over the hill in many countries the issue of library (or telecottage, or carrefour, or....) development is still an issue in the region. The practices and skills of this art need to be reviewed. All possible support for nascent developments should be provided. You can not network nothing.
> Table - The small Pacific Island States - with apologies to Pitcairn, Easter Island and Galapagos. (Source: Bray, 1991a :17)
> State population (1988) GNP/head (1988) US$
> Tokelau 2,000 830
> Niue 3,000 --
> Tuvalu 8,000 650
> Nauru 8,000 10,230
> Belau 12,000 --
> Wallis and Futuna 15,000 968
> Northern Marianas 17,000 --
> Cook Islands 20,000 1,500
> American Samoa 36,000 --
> Marshall Islands 41,000 --
> Kiribati 67,000 650
> Federated States of Micronesia 86,000 1,500
> Tonga 101,000 800
> Guam 126,000 --
> Vanuatu 151,000 820
> New Caledonia 154,000 5,760
> Western Samoa 168,000 580
> French Polynesia 170,000 7,840
> Solomon Islands 304,000 430
> Fiji 732,000 1,520
>
> Personnel and Training
> Tertiary education has developed recently in these countries and few graduates have been available for library systems. Programs of education for librarianship outside the metropolitan countries are to be found at the University of Papua New Guinea and the regional University of the South Pacific where programmes are conducted by the University Library. Such professional education in country has emerged by evolutionary stages from the bottom up leading to a majority of staff having low levels of qualifications. Persons trained overseas at a postgraduate level are available but are concentrated in a few major libraries. As such much of the burden falls on para-professionals with duties and responsibilities beyond the level of their initial training - see also comments on training above. While some may have infrequent contact with their metropolitan counterparts the library profession suffers from very limited numbers, limited professional activity, a lack of government recognition and very difficult and cos
tly communications - now being mitigated by access to satellites.
> While this applies to librarians, other cadres of information workers hardly figure at all. There is a chronic under supply of computer science graduates in PNG for instance whose output is estimated at some 5 per year.
> Consensus studies and the research base
> Given that what is written is often in the form of personal observation, or in the form of the greyest of grey literature. There is a need for wider ranging studies of problematic factors. Fortunately interesting work has been done by Dr Agha during a visit to IDRC in Canada.(Agha 1992) The following factors regarding the sustainabilty of information systems are addressed:-
> * That government policy be influenced positively towards support for information systems.
> * That attempts be made using a variety of methods and techniques to convince management on the value and benefits of information and its management. >
> * That management exercise its option for a management audit of information systems to ensure that they specify their requirements and that information systems are responding accordingly.
> * That there be a pronounced user orientation in the planning and design of products and services reflecting a response to user needs. There must be a constant interaction with the users to constantly monitor their needs and to demonstrate to them time and again the usefulness of information.
> * That attempts must be made to market and promote information services and products to create awareness and encourage a greater use of services and products.
> * That there must be the practice of good management for the efficient and effective operation of the system.
> * That there should be in place, where opportunities exist for participation in Resource Sharing Programmes and Co-operative Schemes.
> * That the training, development and continuing education of information professionals be a continual process incorporating the need to enhance new skills and in particular the ability for information analysis information repackaging and the application of information technologies.
> * That serious attempts be made to build, develop and manage co-operatively or otherwise, a database of local and or national information.
> * That there be developed through professional bodies and other mechanisms, the development of positive attitudes leading to self-reliance,
> * That there be effective use of information technology through the judicious choice of an appropriate mix of technologies suited to the local environment.
> I am sure there are other such studies and there could well be a case for a set of PGI Guidelines on this issue, if not already in being.
> As hinted earlier in regard to small states there is a need for an expansion of the research base. Unfortunately accounts of practice in these countries are few and far between. I certainly had no success in persuading IFLA ALP that research was important. However, The new UNESCO PGI project SISNAP (Studies on the Status of National Information Infrastructures and Services) offers hope that this problem may eventually be tackled.(ASTINFO, 1994) The interesting studies undertaken in Botswana are also worth replicating elsewhere. (Mchombu, 1992)
> Perspective to Prospective
> Vision (rather than hallucination) and purpose for the network needs to be articulated. The clear documentation of the Pan Asian Network is a case in point. There is also the considerable body of thought about the future of libraries that needs to be reviewed for this very purpose. This point of vantage should be used to look forward rather than backward. Attention will need to be paid to a strategic vision and direction, a basis for which any organisational structures discussed here will exist - to replace inaction and reaction with a prospective.
> "Prospective is above all an attitude of mind (anticipation and will) and a way of behaving (with imagination and hope) mobilised to ensure quality and control of our present and future existence. Prospective reinstates desire as the productive force of the future. If it has no future direction the present is empty of meaning. Thus, dreams do not oppose reality, they create it, and a plan animated by desire is the driving force for action."(Godet, 1994)
> As to perspective and the need to avoid reinventing the wheel the following are major recommendations from the Honolulu networking meeting (Jackson, 1991):-
> * Develop ties with regional networks and professional organisations and focus information transfer through these groups.
> * Libraries should become more involved with literacy and community programming. Indigenous languages should be respected and preserved, especially at the local level.
> * > A proposal should be made to ensure marginal income for libraries which lack funds. Libraries should support each other through the exchange of goods and services. Perhaps development of "sister" libraries could be implemented in order for be> tter funded libraries to help our poorly funded libraries.
> * Countries must calculate the economic value of libraries develop a methodology that shows how libraries benefit the economy. Workshops need to be offered to train librarians to do a cost/benefit analysis of the library and its services.
> * The need of the patron to be studied and the need for value added information should be considered.
> * Resources need to be shared in order to implement these recommendations. SCOPAL (Standing Conference of Pacific Libraries) should be more active in this role.
> * Inexpensive telecommunication for libraries needs to be extended throughout the area.
> * The co-dependency which exists between libraries in the region needs to be articulated.
> Professionalism
> There will be a problem with professional attitudes. There may be squabbles over control that bode no good to anyone, areas that it is damaging to encroach upon. National, let alone regional, approaches and attitudes to the profession have yet to crystallise. There is also an ambivalent expatriate factor. A quote from the excellent Kingo Mchombu best illustrates the matter:-
> "Attempts at initiating cooperative ventures are regarded with suspicion because the individuals concerned regard each other as potential rivals. Those with similar qualifications working in the same field regard anything achieved by anyone else as a threat to their own position in this imaginary but fierce struggle for survival. It is very rare indeed to come across anyone prepared to subordinate his own interests to some broader social goal." (Mchombu, 1982)
> Also illuminating are comments in a letter (Simmons, 1993) from a colleague relating to the area under study:-
> "Too often the projects just die our because the people in the region feel they are being used for someone else's benefit. Instead of voicing their opinions, they merely withdraw and don't communicate. Then we say they are lazy, they don't care and they leave things unfinished etc. etc. They are tired of being used.... they are already big fishes in the myriads of little ponds here already."
> Here is certainly one for COMLA and one already pursued by IFLA. Note also Commonwealth Foundation on professional development. (Commonwealth Foundation, 1990). An interesting related issue is the act for registration of librarians applied in the Philippines, possibly set standards and ethics need apply to those within the network.
> Cultural factors
> The most serious problems will not be technical, they will be in the process of development itself. Even if service development is accepted it still has to be brought into practice to the benefit of the majority of the population. This involves both a commitment to a philosophy of development and to recognising that the main obstacle to such development may well lie within the people and the culture itself. (Moris, 1977; Dickson, 1995; ESCAP, 1992). The ESCAP report recommends:-
> - Study of the socio-cultural content so that programmes can adapt and work through the local social and cultural patterns.
> - Planning programmes in terms of the needs of the people.
> - Combining the new with the old - new services need to be seen to do no damage to the traditional norms and values and the validity of the service ideas should be grafted to the old culture if ready adoption is to take place.
> - Respect for the indigenous knowledge systems is required as these often, but not invariably, have much to offer.
> - Using the influence of the village leaders as a route to the goodwill of the community. This involves study of the local patterns of leadership and authority. The usual reaction of ignored leaders will be one of opposition.
> - Awareness of past experiences with development so that errors are not repeated or memories of unpleasant experiences revived. >
> - Consulting the people, which while it seems obvious may in fact be subject to very considerable barriers because of the difference between those striving to introduce the new service and the people themselves.
> - Enhancing the qualities of the development agent - see professionalism above.
> - Understanding and working with local organisations, as these are useful channels for organising people and determining their needs.
> - Planning for phased and prepared change.
> - Team work and coordinated effort.
> - Ensuring new facilities remain in use.
> A worthy follow up on this is that we run our ideas past colleagues in the social and development sciences and pay careful attention, for once, to their opinions. The network APINESS might be a suitable point of contact for this.
> Funding and Pilot projects
> A major deficiency will be the resources available for any changes. Funding is often at vanishing point (Evans, 1991a; 1991b) and after entering the cycle of deprivation there is little way out. The opportunity of a new venture is that new money may also be available. Also libraries are of little financial consequence when compared to computing and telecommunication interests - where much of the importance of this new initiative will lie - and where funds available are far more significant - eg UNESCO IMP. Compare attendance at meetings such as the Pacific Telecommunications Conference with attendance at library networking events.
> It is suggested therefore that one or two specific pilot projects could be targeted initially. Within the region possibly the Solomon Islands might be promising. Much could we done in terms of strait old fashioned link schemes (Batty, 1990) - such as those I proposed earlier for Papua New Guinea.
> The Global (or at least ACP) dimension
> While the suggested paper title suggests that global issues are addressed in this paper. This is obviously beyond my capacity. However, I can think of exchanges of experience within the ACP states that could be developed with a view to possible funding initiatives. Cases in point could be with the Caribbean Computer-Based Communication Development project (IDRC); AAAS Sub-Saharan Africa Project (AAAS, 1992; 1994?) and, of course, PADIS. Studies on relevant networks and the network of networks would be an essential adjunct to this meeting. A Guide to Pacific networks on the AAAS model should be readily possible and an useful outcome of this meeting.
> Obviously certain emerging networks can be seen to simplify the task radically, for example, the ever innovative OCLC. (Wang, 1991.)
> Policy framework, awareness, administrative issues
> Few of these countries have Information Policy. Papua New Guinea has and Fiji, I believe, is working on one. As this is an important element in generating government awareness, the issue of providing guidelines for such policy, or development of a regional policy is of importance. ASTINFO activities seem to be heading in this direction.
> Contact with media agencies will also be important for awareness, the ideas of the Tokyo Resolution on Strategic Alliance of International Non Governmental Organisations in Information could also be used in the context.
> A major issue would be a governing body for the network; the adoption of applicable standards and training programme ( see for example references to EUROLIB in my previous paper). Plans and requests for proposals would need to be developed and mechanisms for the maintenance of the network set. A nifty acronym must be provided!
> New rather than old organisational frameworks will be needed as some of these (eg. some of the national libraries) will be real obstacles. Two quotes from recent research:-
> "..technology driven approaches cannot overcome the lack of theoretical integration principles, or the lack of organisational frameworks. Also, they entail the risk of overselling technical solutions while the most difficult aspects of integration, which are organisational are neglected." (Avgerou:270) >
> "However, government institutions in developing countries have very limited capacity to steer change. They are bureaucracies following a mechanistic form of organisation which is suitable to maintain the status quo, rather than to deal with change. Without parallel efforts for administrative reform, it is not surprising that many innovative ISDP projects are either never implemented or end up as caricatures of initial specifications." (Avgerou: 272)
> Conclusion
> In the benevolent absence of TV and books, people spend their time telling stories ("stori" in Tok Pisin.) and playing cards. In the networked times ahead I hope each such group will have access to another STORI - (Storer and Retriever of Information) - part computer, part communication device, part artefact and mostly fun - a two way link which may or may not be used as people think fit - on the information super footpath where "the unique people are waiting." I imagine such a device will come about.
> From this paper there is scope for recommendations on the following:-
> -studies on information services in small states and other research related issues
> -revival of the art of library development
> -appropriate education and training provisions for network development
> -prospective for the network
> -improvement of professional standards and ethics
> -acknowledgment and due consideration of cultural practices and diversity
> -resource provision
> -guide to existing Pacific networks and networking guidelines
> -exchanges with other developing regions
> -link arrangements
> -organisational structures and arrangements I hope resolutions will an be framed baring in mind earlier comments and observations reproduced in this paper and take note of extant and emerging structures. There is much to be said about libraries and about barriers and obstacles, but conclusions must always tend to a future that consists of the opening up of doors and not the drawing down of blinds.
> Acknowledgments - I would like the organisers for their invitation, the Commonwealth Foundation for financial support and the University of Papua New Guinea for doing very well without me.
> References
> AAAS. 1992. Electronic Networking in Africa : Advancing Science and Technology for Development. AAAS.
> AAAS. 1994? User's Guide to Networks in Africa. Washington.
> Agha, Salim. 1992. Sustainability of Information Systems in Developing Countries : an Appraisal and Suggested Courses of Action. Ottawa: IDRC.
> ASTINFO. 1994. "Japan gives grant to UNESCO/PGI SISNAP Project." ASTINFO Newsletter, 9(4), Oct-Dec. p. 1.
> Avgerou, C. "Information systems for development planning." International Journal of Information Management, 13 (1993), pp. 260-273.
> Batty, P. Community Link Handbook. UKOWLA, 1990.
> Bray, Mark. 1991a. Making small practical : the organisation and management of ministries of education in small states. London: Commonwealth Secretariat.
> Bray, Mark. 1991b. Ministries of education in small states ; case studies of organisation and management. London: Commonwealth Secretariat.
> Commonwealth Foundation. 1990. Report of the Conference of Commonwealth Professionals, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 16-20 July 1990. London: the Foundation.
> Dickson, John. 1995. Cultural sustainable rural enterprise development in Papua New Guinea. Small Enterprise Development, 6(1), 43- 48.
> ESCAP.1992. United Nations. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the South Pacific Socio-cultural impact of human resources development. New York : United Nations.
> Evans, J. 1990a. "Public library service in Papua New Guinea - the poor get poorer" Libraries alone, 2(1), pp. 21 - 28.
> Evans, J. 1990b. "Rural libraries in Papua New Guinea : more theory than practice" Libraries alone, 2(2), pp. 56-67.
> Evans, J. 1993a. "The market in the gap : continuing education in the South Pacific" IFLA Journal, 19(1), 59-66. >
> Evans, J. 1993b. Continuing Professional Education : Library Development Aspect." In Blanche Woolls, Continuing Professional Education and IFLA : Past, Present and a Vision for the Future. Munich: Saur.
> Godet, M. 1994. From Anticipation to Action : A Handbook of Strategic Perspective. Paris: UNESCO. Quote from p. 2.
> Jackson, M. 1991. Linkages Over Space and Time: Proceedings of the Pan Pacific Library Conference on Information Transfer and Networks. Honolulu: Univ. of Hawaii, GSLIS.
> Mchombu, K. 1982. "The librarianship of poverty." Libri, 32(3), 241-250.
> Mchombu, K. 1992. "Rural Development Information Communication in Africa." Information Trends - Magazine, 5(2), June 1992, pp. 51-72.
> Moris, J.R. 1977. "The Transferability of Western Management Concepts and Programs: an East African Perspective." In J.E.Black, Education and Training for Public Sector Management in the Developing Countries. NY: Rockefeller Foundation, 1977.
> Simmons, D. 1993. Letter to J. Evans dated 15.3.93.
> Wang, Andrew H. OCLC Services in Asia, the Pacific Region and Latin America. 18 p. letter to J. Evans dated October 4 1991.
> _____________________________-
> Biographical note:
> Dr. John Evans, Senior Lecturer, South Pacific Centre for Communication and Information in Development
> John Evans completed studies in Chemistry but began work in libraries shortly afterwards with Birmingham Public Libraries. Has spent most of the time in developing countries. Moved to PNG in 1985 and has worked at Administrative College and then the University. Currently with the new South Pacific Centre for Communication and Information in Development at UPNG.
> He will be having a book produced by Dalhousie just before the meeting.
> http://www.idrc.ca/library/document/netpac/abs14.html
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu Dec 12 2002 - 08:00:42