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Governing Board Elections
2005-2007


Statement of Candidacy

N. Varaprasad
(Singapore)

N. Varaprasad
National Library Board
1 Temasek Avenue #06-00, Millenia Tower
SINGAPORE 039192
Singapore
Tel. +(65)3323133
Fax +(65)3323322
E-mail: prasad@nlb.gov.sg

In my experience as an educationist and an administrator, I have always subscribed to the central idea of libraries as a source of both educational and economic dividends for nations and societies. Further, nations that embrace the value of learning, knowledge and access to information will make the world a humane and tolerant one. This is amply demonstrated by IFLA's speedy response in the rehabilitation of the tsunami-ravaged libraries in South and South-East Asia.

I hope to share and participate in the ongoing revolution of librarianship worldwide and subscribe to the founding principles of IFLA and the latter as the vehicle of such a change.

To support this endeavor and to add strength and validity to its cause, I would like to contribute in the following:
  • Champion the centrality of libraries in socio-economic development and national information dissemination.
  • To promote Librarians as thought leaders.
  • Enable Asian libraries to integrate and collaborate with the larger IFLA agenda and adopt a common Asian strategy to the implementation and execution of information access initiatives.
  • Share management expertise in enabling a self-sustaining IFLA, effective in tapping financial resources. IFLA, beyond its professional affiliation, has tremendous potential to grow through collaborative initiatives with institutions of research, technology companies and philanthropic organisations.
  • To advocate knowledge common-spaces in a world punctuated with conflict and diversity. I am a firm believer that knowledge is birthed in conversations and applied in collaboration. IFLA offers the platform for diverse views to be aired, dialogues to be initiated and ideas to be shared. As society becomes more global and competitive, knowledge common-spaces become the lever for social cohesion that bonds diverse cultures.