BLS-7001/Unit3/T4 Role of UNESCO in the development of libraries

1. Introduction

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has been
concerned with information matters since its founding in 1946, and in fact occupies a unique
position among the specialized agencies of the United Nations insofar as it has specific and
sizable programes devoted to information per se, ranging from libraries and archives to
information and data systems, and covering methods of information and data handling as well as
application areas, covers a wide range of the knowledge spectrum - education, science and
technology, the social sciences, culture, and communication - and organizes information
exchange among peoples of the world in order to promote international understanding in
accordance with its charter. Indeed,

Article I of UNESCO's constitution stipulates that the Organization shall:

'maintain, increase, and diffuse knowledge . . . by encouraging cooperation among the nations in
all branches of intellectual activity ... the exchange of publications ... and other materials of
information; and by initiating methods of international co-operation calculated to give the
people of all countries access to the printed and published materials produced by any of them.'

UNESCO has taken some concrete steps in areas such as:

 Development of public libraries. For more information Click Here
 Setting up,vand strengthening of national libraries. For more information Click Here
 Improving university libraries. For more information Click Here
 Development of bibliographical services and tools
 Compilation of union catalogues
 Production of reading materials
 Promoting international exchange of publications
 Undertaking translations of classics
 Supporting copyright laws, introduction of unesco book coupons
 Securing postal concessions for books
 Removal of customs barriers .

The contribution of UNESCO in the field of documentation, particularly in establishing national

documentation centers in many developing countries is noteworthy.

UNESCO's record of performance in all these areas has been impressive. UNESCO activities in
developing library, documentation and information activities are grouped into four directions:

a) Principles and Structure of Documentation, Library and Archives services

UNESCO through its various principles has contributed a lot to documentation, library and
archival services. The UNESCO Public Library Manifesto gave a new image and wide scope to
public libraries. UNESCO influenced the development of public libraries in many member states
and underdeveloped countries and recognized the role of libraries in educating communities.
UNESCO also concerned itself with school libraries and educational documentation services
both as an essential aid to education and an ideal means of establishing the learning and reading
habit among different groups of people. Concerning the university the special libraries,

Dr. Mohammad Nazim Assistant Professor DLIS, AMU Aligarh

 BLS-7001/Unit3/T4 Role of UNESCO in the development of libraries

UNESCO initiated several activities like seminars, technical assistance missions, grants,
publications, etc. to improve the services of libraries in member states. UNESCO's contribution
to the development of scientific and technical documentation centers helped member countries to
overcome problems of information explosion and paved the way for the increase of S&T
research. UNESCO also recommended to member countries the setting up of a National System
(NATIS) which helped to lay the foundation of national, regional and international cooperation
in information services.

b) Internationalization of Documentation; Library and Archival Services

UNESCO has contributed to a great extent in the internationalization of documentation, library
and archival services at national, regional and international levels. It helped in the free flow of
information and documentation embodying the product of the human intellect. Its periodic
associations with international non-governmental organisations like FID, IFLA, and ICA have
enabled it to extend its programme of activities. Many international seminars, workshops,
conferences, courses, have been organised throughout the world. UNESCO sponsored or funded
many publication programmes.

c) Professional Training
Lack of qualified professional staff has been a serious problem in developing and
underdeveloped countries. UNESCO gave high priority to this problem and as a result several
specialiized courses, meetings of experts; courses for teachers in schools of librarianship were
organised, scholarships were granted, and regional training centers and library schools were set
up.

d) Book Promotion
A familiar problem in most of the developing countries is lack of books in their vernacular
languages. UNESCO has organised a number of regional meetings to study this problem and as a
result regional book promotion centers have come up with the participation, of member states.

UNISIST: a movement and a programme

In 1967 UNESCO joined forces with the International Council of Scientific Unions to carry out a
feasibility study on the establishment of a world science information system, [Link]
ultimate goal was the establishment of a flexible and loosely connected network of information
systems and services based on voluntary co-operation. UNISIST was to be concerned initially
with the natural sciences and engineering, but it was later to be extended to other fields of
learning. The UNISIST Intergovernmental Conference was held in Paris in October 1971 to
advise UNESCO on the implementation of the feasibility study. lt will be noted that the word
'UNISIST' was never meant to be properly an acronym, but rather to connote phonetically the
part that the United Nations agencies, particularly UNESCO, should play in the promotion of an
international system for information covering science and technology.

As a result of the 1971 Intergovernmental Conference the UNISIST programme was established
in 1972 by the General Conference of UNESCO at its seventeenth session in order to:
(a) undertake activities for improvement of the tools of systems interconnection;
(b) provide assistance for strengthening the functions and improving the performance of the
institutional components of the information transfer chain;

Dr. Mohammad Nazim Assistant Professor DLIS, AMU Aligarh

 BLS-7001/Unit3/T4 Role of UNESCO in the development of libraries

(c) help in the development of the specialized manpower essential for the planning and operation
of information networks, especially in the developing countries;
(d) encourage the development of scientific information policies and national networks;
(e) assist Member States, especially the developing countries, in the creation and development of
their infrastructure in the field of scientific and technical information.

In fact, UNISIST has also been referred to as the set of internationally developed methods,
norms, standards, principles, and techniques governing the processing and transfer of
information. Two other areas- development of information infrastructures, and education and
training - have maintained their pre-eminence in terms of budgetary resources; the training of
information users was added to the latter in 1977. Increasing importance has been given to the
promotion of policy formulation and planning at the national, regional, and international levels

The General Information Programme (PGI)

In 1976, the General Information Programme (PGI) was created by merging UNISIST with
UNESCO's program me concerned with the development of documentation activities, libraries,
and archives. The creation of PGI has brought a number of benefits: it reduced the number of
inconsistencies in UNESCO's dealings with Member States on matters relating to information
transfer; it brought together experience in infrastructure development and education and training;
and it has provided for an integrated approach to information systems planning and development
covering libraries and archives as well as scientific and technological information. PGI,
incorporating UNISIST, is now administered within UNESCO's Office of Information
Programmes and Services, which also includes the Library, Archives, and Computerized
Documentation Service of the [Link], a division responsible for development and
dissemination of information software including UNESCO's CDS/ ISIS database management
package, and a division which is in charge of operational activities in the information field.

The PGIIUNISIST programme has provided a framework within which Member States and
international organizations can collaborate by sharing resources, developing compatible
international information systems, and taking part in programme activities.

ASTINFO
The most developed effort of this type promoted by UNESCO is probably the Regional Network
for the Exchange of lnformation and Experience in Science and Technology in Asia and the
Pacific (ASTINFO), a follow-up to the recommendation of the Second Conference of Ministers
Responsible for the Application of Science and Technology to Development and Those
Responsible for Economic Planning in Asia and the Pacific (CASTASIA II) held in Manila in
1982.

ASTINFO was initiated in 1984, and fifteen Member States in the region (Australia, China,
India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan,
Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam) are now participating. Each country has
established an ASTINFO Coordinating Unit (ACU) and named an ASTINFO Liaison Officer.
The main function of an ACU concerns the elaboration of ASTINFO policy and the promotion
and monitoring of the Network's development in the country and in the region; and it normally
does not operate information systems and services per se. The Liaison Officers attached to the

Dr. Mohammad Nazim Assistant Professor DLIS, AMU Aligarh

 BLS-7001/Unit3/T4 Role of UNESCO in the development of libraries

ACU participate in a yearly Consultative Meeting organized by UNESCO to review the

accomplishments of the Network and to make recommendations on objectives and activities for
the coming year.

ASTINFO is intended to promote the exchange of information, data, and experience in the
information field. Programme areas include:
(a) creation and strengthening of local and regional databases, especially using modern
technology;
(b) creation and strengthening of specialized networks in particular sectors, disciplines or
missions;
(c) promotion of the training of information specialists and users;
(d) creation of a general .framework for co-operation and systems interconnection.

Some of the specific objectives of the project are as follows:

 to strengthen bibliographic con trol of the participating countries' own scientific and
technological output and establish computer-based bibliographic databases in subject
areas of interest to the region, supported by document clearing-houses;
 to stimulate and promote the creation of non-bibliographic databases in science,
technology, and socio-economic fields of importance to development in the region;
 to develop and promote the technical and organizational structures and capabilities for
cross-border exchange of data and for the sharing of processing facilities;
 to develop specialized information networks in high-priority subject areas and strengthen
existing networks;
 to improve the national information infrastructure to meet the needs of the regional
network so as to ensure that all those in the country who should benefit from the regional
network have access to it;
 to introduce improved or new information services, in particular by utilizing databases
available in or outside the region and by improving information support, including
consolidated and repackaged information for development;
 to train information specialists;
 to promote awareness and use of existing systems and services, in particular those
established by United Nations agencies;
 to en courage user training programmes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we can see that countries around the world are becoming fully conscious of the
importance of scientific and technical information for decision making, problem solving,
effective planning, research, and development. There is so much to be gained from a better
exchange of information that, in this age of interdependence, it is unlikely that any country can
consider itself self-sufficient insofar as scientific and technical information is concerned. As we
near the 1990s it is clear that trends will continue to be for increased international and regional
co-operation to facilitate the flow of scientific and technical information, with the close co-
operation of all parties concerned, users, information specialists, information systems and
services, governments, and international organizations.

Dr. Mohammad Nazim Assistant Professor DLIS, AMU Aligarh