In his tactical notebook entitled Making Sense of the Information Wilderness, Saša Madacki says “even the smallest nongovernmental and governmental human rights organizations could be lost without a proper documentation system and an individual guiding it.”

If real life experience hasn't convinced you yet, it will eventually.

So you know at least seven ways a librarian could be useful to you. No more convincing. You want a librarian. Now how do you get one?

1. Create the position and hire. Saša Madacki's tactical notebook provides key advice on the qualities and skills you would want to look for, who to hire, even a sample job offer for a documentalist/librarian. Check it out.

Now, you may be thinking to yourself: “Right. A librarian would be fantastic. All very nice and dandy. But we could NEVER afford a librarian!”

Not so fast. Make sure you do the math first. Compute the actual savings. You may be in for a pleasant surprise.

Still, you think your case is desperate? You really can't see how you could afford to hire?

Now now, take heart, dear friend. Hear what Saša has to say:

“Of course, not every organization can afford to establish a big, modern library or information center. Nevertheless establishing the role of 'librarian' within even a small organization can improve its efficiency dramatically.”

So, apart from hiring an out-and-out full-time librarian, there are other solutions.

2. Turn somebody into a part-time librarian. Can't afford a full-time librarian? Here's a radical idea. Transform somebody into one. Make it part of their job. Or find a volunteer who can do the job, if only for a day or two at once.

3. Awaken your inner documentalist. Even for somebody working alone, with no budget at all, there still is a solution. You too can enter the librarian phone booth and come out a powerful information age Superhero! The notebook provides useful links for the solo librarian to use. Become your own librarian for a few, dedicated hours a week.

4. Go out and reach one. Run to the local public library. Head for the desk. True 21th century librarians will not Shhh! you out. You can probably find a librarian in your area. And they just may be willing to help you out.

Check out the Making Sense of the Information Wilderness tactical notebook. The notebook also offers neat practical details on how to set up a small human rights library, complete with realistic, low-budget floor plans that even include a conference room. A section also reviews key software (some are free!) to maintain records, build bibliographies, and conduct research.

Want more? Got questions, comments?
Join us over here, in the tactical discussion. We're all there!
Notebook author, Saša Madacki, is joined by three outstanding world experts in knowledge activism: Toni Samek, Bert Verstappen and Youk Chhang (see their short bios).
Of course, a whole bunch of us New Tacticians will also have a crack at how to manage documents, from an activist and human rights perspective.
Join us. It'll be more fun.

Bring your queries, your input, your ideas. We're open all week.

Philippe Duhamel