Section on Reading

Medium Term Programme 1998-2001

Scope statement

The Section is concerned with a range of activities that affect all types of libraries, library associations, and institutions related to reading and literacy development. The Section works in co-operation with the Working Group on Literacy, which is studying the feasibility of a Core Programme on Literacy. It cooperates with other international reading and library associations.

Action Plan, 2000-2001

GOAL 1.

To assume a leadership role in outlining strategies for international campaigns that support reading development.

1.1 To work with national and international reading associations in organizing joint conferences and seminars on related issues, publishing relevant papers, conducting research, and promoting reading in different countries. Closer cooperation is planned with the International Reading Associations International Development in Europe Committee and with the International Book Committee, a UNESCO advisory body.

1.2 To work, through IFLANET and with links to other websites, to serve as a clearing house for information about literacy promotion and research projects and their organizational sponsors.

GOAL 2.

To monitor and promote the dissemination of knowledge and research about reading, literacy, readers, and library patrons.

2.1 To publish the English and French versions of the proceedings of the June 1998 international conference, Libraries, Reading, and Publishing in the Cold War held in cooperation with the IFLA Round Table on Library History. Publication of individual papers is planned in the journal Libraries & Culture, and an English-language monograph is being planned for 2001.

2.2 To continue and to expand a feature in the Section on Reading Newsletter that provides abstracts of recent research about reading and literacy.

GOAL 3.

To promote among librarians, educators, and other cultural agents a better understanding of reading promotion, reading patterns, and literacy problems.

3.1 To organize at each annual IFLA conference, including the Jerusalem conference in 2000, an open session that discusses aspects of reading and literacy issues affecting individuals of all ages.

3.2 To participate, with the IFLA Library History Round Table and the IFLA National Library Section, in National Libraries: Interpreting the Past, Shaping the Future, a conference on Oct. 23-26, 2000, at the Library of Congress.

GOAL 4.

To explore various ways of promoting reading and literacy in specific cultural milieus.

4.1 To sponsor a workshop in Jerusalem in 2000 on Library-Based Programs to Promote Literacy, and possibly a follow-up workshop in Boston in 2001.

4.2 To develop and publicize guidelines for literacy programs in libraries.

4.3 To provide publicity and support for the Soros Foundation/Open Societies Pushkin Library Project and related initiatives.

GOAL 5.

To emphasize the role of reading in children's development and to outline various approaches and methods that have been used to promote reading to children in different countries.

5.1 To continue to co-sponsor the IFLA-UNESCO Books for All library development project.

5.2 To provide advice and publicity for the UNESCO-coordinated Reading for All international reading and library promotion project.

GOAL 6.

To promote membership in the Section on Reading in order to increase its effectiveness.

6.1 To cooperate with other IFLA units with that have similar interests.

6.2 To translate the informational brochure about the Section on Reading into all of IFLAs official languages.