PIALA ‘93, the third annual general membership meeting for the Pacific Islands Association of Libraries and Archives, took place 13–15 October 1993 on the island of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas. Meeting at the Joeten–Kiyu Public Library, 78 registrants from throughout Micronesia networked and shared experiences.
Following a welcome from CNMI Governor Lorenzo I. Guerrero, Dr. Marilyn Salas, director of the Multi–Cultural Education and Resource Center of the University of Guam, delivered a keynote address that focused on the importance of literacy and the challenge of teaching reading in a multicultural environment where many first languages are rarely found in print.
The three–day conference offered a variety of workshops and presentations. Lee Webber, president and publisher of the Pacific Daily News, spoke on public relations and fund raising for small libraries. He emphasized that no event or meeting should be passed up as an opportunity to promote one’s library or projects. Every day presents chances for publicity and it is only through general public awareness that support, be it monetary or personal, is created.
Irene Lovas, from the Pacific Southwest Regional Medical Library Network, discussed health information resources, citing basic health reference texts for small libraries.
Arlene Cohen, systems librarian from the University of Guam, presented online computer resources, explored the Internet, and demonstrated the newly available dial–in access feature of the University of Guam’s online public access catalog, OCEAN.
Sessions on youth material selection, children’s services, museum conservation and management, family literacy, and resource sharing were also given.
Conference evaluations indicated that more discussion on archival management, resource sharing, and basic programs for public libraries are wanted. These issues and more will be addressed at PIALA’s next conference, scheduled for 2–4 November 1994,in Guam.
Brief proceedings of the conference are planned for distribution in early 1994. Requests for copies may be directed to:
Margaret Edmundson, Recording Secretary
Library
P.O. Box 1258
College of the Marshall Islands
Majuro, MH 96960
PIALA is an organization interested in fostering awareness and encouraging cooperation and resource sharing among libraries, archives, museums, and related institutions of the Pacific Islands. Membership is open to all individuals, institutions, and corporations interested in supporting its goals. Dues are US$20.00 for individuals and US$50.00 for institutions or corporations.
For more information about PIALA, you may contact: Joanne Tarpley, PIALA Treasurer, RFK Library, University of Guam, UOG Station, Mangilao, Guam 96923, (671) 734–3598 FAX (671) 734–6882
Joanne Tarpley is a reference librarian at the University of Guam. She received her M.L.S. from Catholic University, Washington, D.C., in 1983.
E–mail: tarpley [at] uog9 [dot] uog [dot] edu
©1993 Joanne Tarpley.
Citation
Tarpley, Joanne. “Pacific Islands Association of Libraries and Archives Conference,” Third World Libraries, Volume 4, Number 1 (Fall 1993).