The Ninth International Conference: Crimea 2002

Citation

Ocholla, D.N. (2002), "The Ninth International Conference: Crimea 2002", Library Hi Tech News, Vol. 19 No. 8. https://doi.org/10.1108/lhtn.2002.23919hac.005

The Ninth International Conference: Crimea 2002

D.N. Ocholla

Introduction

It is tempting to begin this report with what this author wrote in his review of a book edited by Kimmage (1992) entitled Russian Libraries in Transition: An Anthology of Glasnost Literature, when I began by recognising that "The former Soviet Union was amongst the world's greatest producers of books (nearly 4,640,000 each year). It possessed the highest number of libraries (330,000). The country's information collection was one of the world's largest (over three billion volumes in total). Approximately seven titles per head of population were printed annually. UNESCO for many years referred to these Soviet achievements in the production and dissemination of information resources to the majority of its society as a model to be emulated by other countries" (Ocholla, 1993, p. 177). Further, I conclude this review by stating that, "The library infrastructure and tradition is still solid, and perhaps there is no other area where the Russians built greater spiritual and cultural consciousness. What now needs to be done is to reform the libraries by providing them with "a human face" … but not to leave the strong library tradition to fade away together with communism" (Ocholla, 1993, p. 180). The Kimmage anthology comprising 26 articles that appeared in Soviet newspapers and journals between 1988 and 1991 was a painful reflection of Russian libraries. It is wonderful, as attested by the Crimea Conference proceedings, that the libraries are alive, developing and expanding, and that the sudden demise of the library tradition that concerned this author in 1993, did not take place, and indeed will not. The focus of the Crimea Conference is to explore, discuss and share experiences on the development and problems of the implementation of new information technologies in library and information activities and services.

Conference location

The Ninth International Conference known as "Crimea 2002" was once again successfully held in the popular location Sudak, and in the conference satellite resort cities of Alushta, Bakhchisarai, Belogorsk, Feodosia, Kerch, Koktebel and Stary Krym of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in Ukraine from the 8-16 June 2002. Many people, including conference organisers, participants and holidaymakers, are drawn to this world because of its attractive nature, comprised of majestic mountains and valleys between the beautiful Black Sea and the Ozovsksy Sea. This area is also known for its unique history, dating back to the Roman and Ottoman Empires, that left both tragic and inspiring memories on the architecture, agriculture, shores and the diversified people of the region. Part of such memories was attested during a memorable pre-conference guided bus and walking tour, on 9 June, of the Crimean Southern Coast. The delegates whose views and memory were extended with numerous photographic footage and video cameras had their breath held more than once by the extraordinary beauty of land and water that makes up the Crimean Peninsula. After a three-hour ride through Alushta and Bakhchisarai came the final destinations, Massandra and Yalta. The name "Massandra" is well known largely for its haute wine growing, resulting in splendid wines. In the upper Massandra, participants visited Czar Alexander's III Palace, considered to be one of the best architectural monuments of the Crimean Southern Coast. Also visited were the Massandra Winery and the Crimean pear – Yalta. All in all, there is no doubt that Crimea is suitable for all kinds of conventions, as the beauty and hospitality of the region make it a memorable location.

Programme and events

This conference attracted over 1,300 delegates from over 40 countries with Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan sending the largest number. Outside the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) were small delegations from Canada, China, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithunia, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, The Netherlands, UAE, the UK and the USA. The theme of the conference was "Electronic Resources and the Social Role of the Libraries in the Future". Approximately 500 papers were presented in 15 sections which included: World-wide Information Infrastructure and International Co-operation; Automated Library Systems and Technologies; Network Technologies, Multimedia and Internet in Libraries; Electronic Libraries; Libraries and Museums in Single Information and Cultural Environment; Library Personnel, Profession and Education; Information and Linguistic Support of Library and Information Systems; Development and Preservation of Library Collection; Access to Ecological Information: Library as a Centre of Ecological Culture; Libraries, Publishers and Book Vendors in the Single Information Field; Corporate Library and Information Systems; Business and Legal Information; ILL and Document Delivery; Library Science, Bibliography and Bibliology and finally, Children, Computers and the Internet: Issues of Reading and Information Literacy from the Point of View of Schools and Libraries.

There were also workshops on 15 themes, six Round Tables, information on two annual conferences (ILIAC and ELNIT), five general presentations and seven presentation within the exhibition and four poster papers/presentations. Two volumes of the conference proceedings exceeding 1,000 pages resulted from the conference.

Significance of the conference

A lot of library and information oriented activities in the contemporary literature are written about and disseminated in English that largely reach English speaking nations and communities particularly in the developed world. What goes on in Eastern Europe and indeed in the developing countries hardly reaches the large international academic and professional community due to, predominantly, language and economic barriers or bias. The CIS is on UNESCO record to be in possession of the largest library centres, treasures and systems in the world. This conference, which brings all these countries and their libraries together, is essentially considered to be one of the largest regional library and information conferences second, perhaps only to the IFLA conference.

This conference is significant in several ways. First, its magnitude was attested by the number of participants, conference papers, the variety of libraries and other cultural institutions represented, the number of activities that were mentioned, the number of countries represented, and the nature and calibre of delegates that included government ministers, Vice-chancellors/Rectors of Colleges/Universities and prominent members and scholars of Culture and Arts from countries other than CIS. It is amazing that over 50 different activities which occur parallel to each other are continuously fulfilled within the four days allocated for the professional part of the conference. Second, it is persistent, expanding and developing year by year bringing on board more countries (e.g. China) and variety into its organisation and activities. Next year, the Crimea Conference will celebrate its anniversary, the Tenth Jubilee International Conference. Third, the venue of the conference is situated in one of the most popular and picturesque resort locations of the Ukraine South coast surrounded by natural beauty and splendour. It is relaxing. The cost of accommodation and subsistence in the magnificent conference rooms in these towns that are placed at guest and satellite events disposal while the "Sudak" Tourist and Health Center accommodates only the participants of the conference, is affordable, particularly for foreign delegates. The people are warm, hospitable and accommodative. This is demonstrated by colorful multicultural events and concerts of the highest quality, and a generous Fourchette, and Banquets, and Receptions. This author Chaired a Session in Section five: Libraries and Museums in a Single Information and Cultural Environment and also presented a paper on "An overview of the status of information and communication technologies (ICT): their availability and usage in the academic dispensation for information services in LIS schools of sub-Saharan Africa".

Conclusion

Although cultural centres and libraries are facing financial crisis all over the world, this region is facing even harsher impact due to reduced traditional government subsidy. It is encouraging to recognise that most libraries that were hailed by UNESCO for their impact on the community, are largely operational and therefore continuing with their cultural crusade of enlightenment as detected by my visits to some libraries as part of a preconference tour. The problems of automation of library activities, functions and services, that are picking up, seem to be drawing greater attention and there is eminent hope, in the eyes of colleagues, that this problem will be succumbed sooner than later if government support and the support of friends of libraries is forthcoming. The conference main theme over the last nine years has been focused on ICT that manifests this understandable attention. The strength of this region lies in its strong library tradition with plenty of qualified manpower.

The Tenth Jubilee International Conference "Crimea 2003" on the main theme "Libraries and Associations in the Transient World: New Technologies and New Forms of Co-operation" will focus on new and developing issues and can be reviewed on the conference Web site. Readers are reminded not to forget to read the new traditional informative and scholarly annual plenary speech of the conference by Professor Yakov Shraiberg, Chairman, International Organising Committee entitled "Modern trends in the development of library and information technology" (2002) that summarises conference trends and issues and suggests scholarly and professional challenges, largely in ICT. There is a lot to learn from the Crimea Conference. You are all invited and welcome to the Tenth Jubilee International Conference "Crimea 2003". For further information visit: http://www.iliac.org/crimea2001; http://www.gpntb.ru/win/inter-events/crimea2001

ReferencesKimmage, D. (Ed.) (1992), Russian Libraries in Transition: An Anthology of Glasnost Literature, McFarland, Jefferson, NC.Ocholla, D.N. (1993), Dennis Kimmage (Ed.), Russian Libraries in Transition: An Anthology of Glasnost Literature, McFarland, Jefferson, NC, 1992. Book Review, International Journal of Information and Library Research, Vol. 5 No. 3, pp. 177-80.Shraiberg, Y. (2001), "Cobrimenye Tendensyi Rasvitya Bibliotechno – Informasionih Technologyi", ("Modern trends in the development of library and information technology"), Ezegodnyi Doklad Konferensi, Moskva (in Russian).

D.N. Ocholla (docholla@pan.uzulu.ac.za) is Professor and Head of the Department of Library and Information Science, University of Zululand, KwaDiangezwa, South Africa, and is also Editor-in-Chief of The South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science.