MLA organized an information session for library and information services professionals of the Maldives on the topics: Encouraging Reading in Libraries and Managing Reading Groups. The session was delivered by a visiting LIS professional from UK, Ms. Melanie Weeks.

Melanie worked at the National Library of Maldives as the Library Advisor during 1997 to 1998. During that period she also worked as the local focal point and facilitator for the distance education program in Library Services being offered through the Sri Lanka Library Association in affiliation with the National Library of Maldives.

The session by Melanie was received very well by the twenty eight participants. Her knowledge of the Maldives Library sector coupled with her extensive years of experience in the Library management positions back home in Wales, UK made her talk on the topic very interesting and relevant to the Maldivian context. Melanie currently works as Community Librarian at the Library and Information Service of Vale of Glamorgan Council.
Throughout the session, Melanie emphasized on the importance of Librarians working proactively to bring readers to the library and also on the importance of providing a service acceptable to the community.

The MLA Lecture Series is an attempt by the MLA to offer professional development opportunities for LIS personnel in the Maldives.

This session held on 23 October 2012 (from 13:45 to 15:00hrs) at the American Center was attended by Library staff from a number of school libraries, as well as form the National Library and the University Library.