Information And Liberation: Writings On The Politics Of Information And Librarianship Information & Liberation

Information and liberation is a retrospective collection of Shiraz Durrani's articles and conference papers on the politics of information. The book documents the struggle for progressive and relevant information policies and practices over a period of 25 years in Kenya, Britain, and other countries. The book records also the vision, struggles and achievements of many progressive librarians and activists to develop a system and a society which can meet the information, social and cultural needs of all, particularly those marginalised by forces of capitalism and imperialism. Many standard books on information and librarianship take capitalism and imperialism as a "given" and develop visions of an "information society" within this overall economic and political context. They attempt to resolve issues of equality, exclusion and "information poverty" in isolation of the social, economic and political context in which libraries and information exist. Durrani's approach differs in that he seeks to link information liberation with active struggles for economic and social justice for all. A theme that runs throughout the book is that the struggle for information equality needs to be waged as part of a struggle against capitalist exploitation of human and natural resources. The theme is based on an assumption that "people have the right to the information they need." The role of librarians and information activists is seen as one of providing relevant information to people as their basic human right. For this to happen, information workers and activists need to be empowered – or to empower themselves – to develop systems that meet the needs of their communities. In addition to communicating a vision of a society where information is provided as a human right, the book records various innovative projects which put the progressive ideas into practice. It provides a rare record of a process of putting ideas and policies into practice, making available a useful resource for others involved in similar struggles, highlighting possible hurdles and showing the tools that can be used for success. It is noteworthy that the book records this struggle in Kenya, a country of the South where many of the oppressive policies associated with corporate globalisation were first tried out before being used in Europe, USA and other parts of the world. The experience gained in addressing this stranglehold in Kenya thus has a greater, global significance. The focus of the book then shifts to England where a similar struggle is also recorded – perhaps indicating that the need for a more active and united struggle against capitalism and corporate globalisation is as urgent in the industrialised world as it is in Kenya. While this "information" struggle is waged wherever there is oppression, few such struggles are recorded from the people's point of view and with the firsthand experience and social commitment that Information and liberation seeks to provide. Durrani graduated from the University of East Africa in 1968 and got his library qualifications from the University of Wales. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). He worked at the University of Nairobi Library from 1968 to 1984. Durrani was an active member of the then underground December Twelve Movement in the late 1970s and 1980s. Following the publication of his articles on the history of Kenyan anti-imperialist, liberation struggle in national press, Durrani left Kenya and moved to Britain in September 1984. In Britain he worked at Hackney and Merton public libraries before taking up the post of Senior Lecturer in Information Management in the Department of Applied Social Sciences at the London Metropolitan University. Durrani's main interest is the politics of information. His book, Never be silent; publishing and imperialism in Kenya, 1884-1963, was published in 2006 (London: Vita Books). His earlier short book, Kimaathi, Mau Mau's first Prime Minister of Kenya (1986, London: Vita Books) remains an important resource for political activists in Kenya today. Table of Contents 7 Acknowlegments 11 Foreword Professor John Gabriel 13 Introduction Anthony Olden 15 To Inform is to Liberate 27 Society and Information: A South Perspective 35 Setting the scene (1): Rocking the Boat 37 Veterinary Information in Kenya (1979) 38 Lessons in Kenyan librarianship: Leadership, Management and the Library worker (1984) 41 Rural information in Kenya (1985) 44 Agricultural information services in Kenya and Third World needs (1987) 53 Libraries, communication & development in Kenya: the missing political factor (1990) 61 Human rights and information in Kenya: a question of political power (1994) 69 The mirage of democracy in Kenya (1994) 77 Independence in Kenya and the lost opportunity (1998) 89 Information relevance, equality and material security-the Kenyan experience (1998) 94 Politics of information, information for politics Setting the scene (2): A mere librarian doing research 101 The politics of food (1983) 102 The other Kenya: underground and alternative literature (1997) 105 Information in Kenyan liberation struggle-facts and fiction (2000) 107 Voices of resistance: underground publishing in Kenya, 1963-1998 (1990) 108 The Battle Continues in a Colder Climate 115 Setting the scene (3): No equality of conditions 117 The search for social justice 117 Black communities and information workers in search of social justice (1999) 119 Combating racism in library and information services (2000) 126 Struggle against racial exclusion in public libraries (2000) 128 Equality: a service development approach (2000- SD, PJ) 144 Mainstreaming equality, meeting needs (2003- SD/ ES) 147 Create a people-orientated public library service (2004) 157 Creating a new library, creating a new library manager (2005) 160 Comments on "New direction in social policy" (2005) 165 The challenge for libraries in a multicultural society (2007) 168 Politics of information and resistance 175 Capitalism and socialism—has the contradiction been resolved? (1992) 175 Returning a stare; people's struggles for political and social inclusion (2000) 177 The professional is political: redefining the social role of public libraries (SD- ES) 191 The role of the Library Association 205 Never be silent-launch, Nairobi (2006) 219 Communications for liberation: launch of Never be silent, London (2006) 223 Trade union movement in Kenya & their communications system (2006) 227 Politics of information & knowledge in Africa (2007) 230 Taking a Stand 247 Setting the scene [4]: Need for active involvement 249 Explaining the stand 250 Three questions from bis (2001) 250 Interview with Shiraz Durrani 11th May 2004 (Anna Goulding) 252 Breaking the culture of silence (2006) 258 Three questions from bis (2006) 260 Information activism 264 Library Association Motions on race and class (1996) 264 Comprehensive and Efficient: Standards for modern public libraries, a response (2000) 265 Progressive librarians & activists campaign to save CRE library (2004) 268 Study, teaching and learning 270 The educational role of public libraries in combating racism and xenophobia (1999) 270 Incorporating reflective learning ... in information management (2007) 286 Learning by doing: lifelong learning through innovations projects at DASS (2007) 289 Changing course content to meet changing needs (2007) 303 Ideas into action 306 The facts behind the Three Continents Liberation Collection (1993) 306 The Black and Minority Ethnic Stock Group in Hackney Libraries (1999) 308 Young people in control (SD-DB, 2004) 316 Quality Leaders Project-Youth: a search for a relevant information service (2005-06) 323 Progressive librarianship in Africa: The PALIAct story (2006) 328 Quality Leaders Project (Youth): Report 4 to PHF (2006) 333 QLP-Y on a journey of a thousand kilometres (2007) 335 Filling the youth shaped hole (2007) 342 Book Reviews 345 Sturges, Paul and Neill, Richard (1990): The quiet struggle. London: Mansell. (1991) 347 Foreword to Kinyatti, Maina wa: Mother Kenya (1995) 348 Libraries for all-A tool for change? (1999) 352 Stop talking, start doing! (2000) 356 Black perspective on history of libraries; a review article (2000) 366 Review: Framework of lost opportunities (2003) 372 Organize, do not agonise 374 Index 377 About Shiraz Durrani 381 A Collection Of The Writings Of Shiraz Durrani, British-kenyan Library Science Professor And Political Activist--provided By Publisher. To Inform Is To Liberate -- Setting The Scene (1) : Rocking The Boat -- Veterinary Information In Kenya (1979) -- Lessons In Kenyan Librarianship : Leadership, Management And The Library Worker (1984) -- Rural Information In Kenya (1985) -- Agricultural Information Services In Kenya And Third World Needs (1987) -- Libraries, Communication & Development In Kenya : The Missing Political Factor (1990) -- Human Rights And Information In Kenya : A Question Of Political Power (1994) -- The Mirage Of Democracy In Kenya (1994) -- Independence In Kenya And The Lost Opportunity (1998) -- Information Relevance, Equality And Material Security--the Kenyan Experience (1998) -- Politics Of Information, Information For Politics -- Setting The Scene (2) : A Mere Librarian Doing Research -- The Politics Of Food (1983) -- The Other Kenya : Underground And Alternative Literature (1997) -- Information In Kenyan Liberation Struggle : Facts And Fiction (2000) -- Voices Of Resistance : Underground Publishing In Kenya, 1963-1998 -- Setting The Scene (3) : No Equality Of Conditions -- The Search For Social Justice -- Black Communities And Information Workers In Search Of Social Justice (1999) -- Combating Racism In Library And Information Services (2000) -- Struggle Against Racial Exclusion In Public Libraries (2000) -- Equality : A Service Development Approach (2000-sd, Pj) -- Mainstreaming Equality, Meeting Needs (2003-sd/es) -- Create A People-orientated Public Library Service (2004) -- Creating A New Library, Creating A New Library Manager (2005) -- Comments On New Direction In Social Policy (2005) -- The Challenge For Libraries In A Multicultural Society (2007) -- Politics Of Information And Resistance -- Capitalism And Socialism--has The Contradiction Been Resolved? (1992) -- Returning A Stare : People's Struggles For Political And Social Inclusion (2000) -- The Professional Is Political : Redefining The Social Role Of Public Libraries (2004, Sd-es) -- The Role Of The Library Association (2007) -- Never Be Silent : Launch, Nairobi (2006) -- Communications For Liberation : Launch Of Never Be Silent, London (2006) -- Trade Union Movement In Kenya & Their Communications System (2006) -- Politics Of Information & Knowledge In Africa (2007) -- Setting The Scene (4) : Need For Active Involvement -- Explaining The Stand -- Three Questions From Bis (2001) -- Interview With Shiraz Durrani 11th May 2004 (anna Goulding) -- Breaking The Culture Of Silence (2006) -- Three Questions From Bis (2006) -- Information Activism -- Library Association Motions On Race And Class (1996) -- Comprehensive And Efficient : Standards For Modern Public Libraries, A Response (2000) -- Progressive Librarians & Activists Campaign To Save Cre Library (2004) -- Study, Teaching And Learning -- The Educational Role Of Public Libraries In Combating Racism And Xenophobia (1999) -- Incorporating Reflective Learning ... In Information Management (2007) -- Learning By Doing : Lifelong Learning Through Innovations Projects At Dass (2007) -- Changing Course Content To Meet Changing Needs (2007) -- Ideas Into Action -- The Facts Behind The Three Continents Liberation Collection (1993) -- The Black And Minority Ethnic Stock Group In Hackney Libraries (1999) -- Young People In Control (sd-db, 2004) -- Quality Leaders Project-youth : A Search For A Relevant Information Service (2005-06) -- Progressive Librarianship In Africa : The Paliact Story (2006) -- Quality Leaders Project (youth) : Report 4 To Phf (2006) -- Qlp-y On A Journey Of A Thousand Kilometres (2007) -- Filling The Youth Shaped Hole (2007) -- Book Reviews -- Sturges, Paul And Neill, Richard (1990) : The Quiet Struggle. London : Mansell. (1991) -- Foreword To Kinyatti, Maina Wa : Mother Kenya (1995) -- Libraries For All : A Tool For Change? (1999) -- Stop Talking, Start Doing! (2000) -- Black Perspective On History Of Librarie; A Review Article (2000) -- Review : Framework Of Lost Opportunities (2003) -- Organise, Do Not Agonise. Shiraz Durrani. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. To inform is to liberate Setting the scene (1) : rocking the boat Veterinary information in Kenya Lessons in Kenyan librarianship : leadership, management and the library worker Rural information in Kenya Agricultural information services in Kenya and third world needs Libraries, communication & development in Kenya : the missing political factor Human rights and information in Kenya : a question of political power The mirage of democracy in Kenya Independence in Kenya and the lost opportunity Information relevance, equality, and material security : the Kenyan experience (1998) Politics of information, information for politics Setting the scene (2) : a mere librarian doing research The politics of food The other Kenya : underground and alternative literature Information in Kenyan liberation struggle : facts and fiction Voices of resistance : underground publishing in Kenya, 1963-1998 Setting the scene (3) : no equality of conditions The search for social justice Black communities and information workers in search of social justice (1999) Combating racism in library and information services Struggle against racial exclusion in public libraries Equality : a service development approach Mainstreaming equality, meeting needs Create a people-orientated public library service Creating a new library, creating a new library manager Comments on "new direction in social policy" The challenge for libraries in a multicultural society Politics of information and resistance Capitalism and socialism : has the contradiction been resolved? Returning a stare : people's struggles for political and social inclusion The professional is political : redefining the social role of public libraries The role of the Library Association Never be silent : launch, Nairobi Communications for liberation : launch of Never be silent, London Trade union movement in Kenya & their communications system Politics of information & knowledge in Africa Setting the scene (4) : need for active involvement Three questions from bis Interview with Shiraz Durrani, 11th May 2004 Breaking the culture of silence Three questions from bis Library Association motions on race and class Comprehensive and efficient : standards for modern public libraries, a response Progressive librarians & activists campaign to save CRE Library The educational role of public libraries in combating racism and xenophobia Incorporating reflective learning in information management Learning by doing : lifelong learning through innovations projects at DASS Changing course content to meet changing needs The facts behind the Three Continents Liberation Collection The Black and Minority Ethnic Stock Group in Hackney libraries Young people in control Quality Leaders Project-Youth : a search for a relevant information service (2005-06) Progressive librarianship in Africa : the PALIAct story Quality Leaders Project (Youth) : report 4 to PHF QLP-Y on a journey of a thousand kilometres Filling the youth shaped hole Book reviews. The quiet struggle ; Mother Kenya Libraries for all : a tool for change? Stop talking, start doing! Black perspective on history of libraries : a review article Review : framework of lost opportunities Organise, do not agonise.