The Public Library Service: IFLA/UNESCO Guidelines for Development

IFLA Headquarters, The Hague 16 July,
2001

The eagerly-awaited public library guidelines have now appeared in the IFLA Publications series as The Public Library Service: IFLA/UNESCO Guidelines for Development. These guidelines have been framed to provide assistance to librarians in any situation to develop an effective public library service meeting the needs of their local community.

Philip Gill , Chair of the IFLA Working Group which prepared these new guidelines, said: "The publication of these new IFLA/UNESCO Guidelines for Public Libraries, following wide consultation, present librarians worldwide with standards and guidelines which will help them develop public libraries relevant to the information age. In this exciting and complex information world, it is vitally important for those in search of knowledge, information and creative experience that they succeed. I believe that these guidelines will help public librarians around the world meet that challenge.”

A distinctive feature of these guidelines is the inclusion of examples of provision from around the world. They provide snapshots of what is happening in public libraries in many different countries and a glimpse of imaginative solutions to specific challenges.

These guidelines are essential reading for everyone involved in the provision of public libraries. They will become an essential reference tool for public library development and planning.

The official launch of these Guidelines will be held at the IFLA Conference in Boston, Wednesday, 22 August, 09.00.

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