Institut français India proudly announces
The Other Library: Médiathèques XXI
Library and Mediation training and special workshop for actors of libraries in India
in the framework of
“The Other Thought: French-Indian Encounters on Creativity and Innovation”
Tuesday May 9 to Thursday May 11, New Delhi
New Delhi, 9 May 2017
As part of its programme to modernise the French library network in India, Institut français India organised “The Other Library: Médiathèques XXI” – a three-day closed-door workshop on Library and Mediation training. These training sessions, supported by Institut français Paris, Alliance française in India and DELNET, which were conducted by French consultant, Ms. Héloïse Courty, specialised in the modernisation of libraries from May 9-11 in New Delhi.
The Other Library: Médiathèques XXI
Alliance Française Delhi India
Tuesday, May 9, 8:30 AM
DELNET (Developing Library Network)
Wednesday, May 10, 9:30 AM.
Institut français India and Bikaner House
Thursday, May 11 at, 8:30 AM
This program marked the first step of Plan Médiathèques XXI aiming to modernize the French library network in India (Alliance Française Delhi, Institut français of Pondicherry, Centre for Social Sciences and Humanities). Médiathèques XXI: Library and Mediation special training and workshop was a key moment in this plan to enhance cooperation between libraries in India, and the impact of libraries in India.
This event was a continuum of trainings begun in 2016 for media libraries to rethink strategies in terms of means, attendance rates and optimal use of their spaces. The aim was to prepare media libraries to participate in the third edition of Bonjour India (November 2017- February 2018) the platform for innovation and creativity and Indo-French partnership in the upcoming decade.
Mediathèques XXI: The Other Library
Afternotes
Libraries play an important role in the mediation of culture and ideas. Yet they often do not have a lot of visibility. As part of its programme “The Other Thought: French-Indian Encounters on Innovation and Creativity”, the Institut français India shed light on the importance of libraries as mediators.
The three-day workshop kicked off on May 9, 2017 where 15 librarians represented 14 libraries in the French network in India. Each presented their work and their challenges through interactive and participative workshops. The workshop brought together librarians from the entire network in a rare face-to-face interaction. Librarians brought forth their expertise to provide non-prescriptive solutions. The workshops – which included enactments, and a comics workshop – kept users (library-goers) at the centre.
On the second day the network of libraries in India, DELNET, hosted the French network of libraries, signaling a promising Franco-Indian cooperation. Deepalaya Community Library, a free, community library managed by author Mridula Koshy that was open to all, provided an example as an open and interactive space. Meanwhile, French expert Heloïse Courty invited participants to imagine “The Third Space Library” – a space for creativity and innovation that was not work or home.
Finally on the third day, participants put their hands to clay modelling to create spaces for a “French Digital Corner” – an existing program that introduce students to France and French culture and ideas.
Finally, these workshops strengthened the connection of the French network of libraries to each other, and also to other libraries in India. Institut français India in term partners with them in their important role in mediating culture and ideas.
For more information, please contact sku@ifindia.in / sva@ifindia.in
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