IFLA

As of 22 April 2009 this website is 'frozen' in time — see the current IFLA websites

This old website and all of its content will stay on as archive – http://archive.ifla.org

IFLANET home - International Federation of Library Associations and InstitutionsAnnouncementsSearchContacts

IFLA appoints new Secretary General


PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
10 November 2004

IFLA President Kay Raseroka today announced the appointment of Mr. R. Ramachandran as the new Secretary General of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).

Announcing the appointment, Kay Raseroka said:
"I am delighted that we have secured a new Secretary General who brings such wide experience to the position. Rama's significant contribution to the outstanding library and high technology developments in Singapore and to the progress of CONSAL will be of great benefit to IFLA during his appointment."

Mr. R. Ramachandran as the new Secretary General, IFLA R. Ramachandran
Deputy Chief Executive
National Library Board, Singapore
Email: rama@nlb.gov.sg

Mr R. Ramachandran, Director of the National Library and Deputy Chief Executive of the National Library Board in Singapore and Secretary General of CONSAL, the Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians, has been appointed Secretary General of IFLA. He will assume the position on 1st April 2004, following the retirement of Ross Shimmon.

Besides being very involved in CONSAL, Mr Ramachandran ("Rama") has been active in the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (ASEAN-COCI); Chairman, National Libraries Group-Southeast Asia (NLG-SEA); Chairman, Conference of Directors of National Libraries in Asia and Oceania; and Vice-Chairman, Commonwealth Libraries Association (COMLA). Recently, he was elected to be a member of the IFLA Regional Standing Committee on Asia and Oceania (RSCAO) and the IFLA National Libraries Section. He is also a member of Conference of Directors of National Libraries (CDNL) and the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR), USA.

Over a period of 30 years in the National Library of Singapore, he worked intensively on every aspect of library services - public, special and school libraries and library education. He played a key role in the early expansion as well as the development and refinement of a whole range of National Library services in Singapore. In 1992, he became a key member of the Library 2000 Committee that charted the growth and development of the library services. He has been involved in the realization of the Library 2000 recommendations since the formation of the National Library Board in 1995. Libraries in Singapore are considered among the best in the region.

Rama has travelled extensively in the Asia-Pacific region to attend meetings, present papers in international seminars and conferences and conducting library leadership training programmes. He has published papers widely on library and information related issues.

In 1996, he was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Silver) by the Government of Singapore for his outstanding contribution to library development in Singapore.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), founded in 1927, is the global voice of the library and information profession. IFLA is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization. Its objectives are: to promote high standards of provision and delivery of library and information services, to encourage understanding of the value of good library and information services, and to represent the interests of its members throughout the world. With over 1700 members in 150 countries, it represents hundreds of thousands of library and information staff throughout the world. IFLA has formal associate status with UNESCO and is accredited at the United Nations and with many UN agencies. It is actively involved in preparations for the UN World Summit on the Information Society. The Secretary General is the chief executive officer, responsible for the strategic and operational direction and financial management of the Federation, within the policies established by its Council and Governing Board. The present Secretary General, Ross Shimmon, retires at the end of March 2004, on completion of a five-year contract.

Further information:

Ross Shimmon
Secretary General
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
P O Box 95312
(Prins Willem-Alexanderhof 5)
2509 CH The Hague
Netherlands
Tel: +31 70 3140884
Fax: +31 70 3834827
Email: ross.shimmon@ifla.org

Kay Raseroka
President
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
University Library of Botswana
Private Bag 00390
Gaborone
Botswana
Tel: +267 3552620
Fax: +267 3557291
Email: raseroka@mopipi.ub.bw

R. Ramachandran
Deputy Chief Executive
National Library Board
1 temasek Avenue
#06-00 Millenia Tower
Singapore 039192
Tel: +65 3323600
Email: rama@nlb.gov.sg

*    

Latest Revision: November 24, 2003 Copyright ©
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
www.ifla.org