IFLA/FAIFE
Policy Discussion
Directions for IFLA/FAIFE 2001-2005
By Alex Byrne
Chair of IFLA/FAIFE Committee
August 2001
This paper is intended to stimulate discussion of future priorities for IFLA/FAIFE and
other policy issues with a particular focus on directions to be adopted 2001-2005. This
will inform the development of the IFLA/FAIFE Action Plan and Budget for 2001-2003 in
Business Meeting II. The following a presented for consideration and discussion by the
Committee.
Priority 1
Concentrate our efforts on libraries and the safeguarding of free access to
information.
All IFLA/FAIFE activities should be noticeable and make a difference. They should focus on
the library issues not just the general issues of intellectual freedom and freedom of
expression. Thus, we should place our emphasis on access to information. Initiatives
should be taken to raise awareness to free access to information in libraries which tend
to emphasise processes rather than the philosophical ideal. IFLA members should
"own" FAIFE and translate the Federation’s commitment to free access to
information and freedom of expression into the work of all sections, divisions and
roundtables.
It has been suggested that we mount a co-project with European library schools on
developing an IFLA/FAIFE learning package, possibly funded by the EU.
Priority 2
Make the IFLA/FAIFE World Report the authoritative source on libraries and intellectual
freedom.
The first IFLA/FAIFE World Report will be launched in Boston. It represents a significant
achievement but covers only 46 countries, about 30% of the countries represented in IFLA.
It should cover all those countries and present a reliable and authoritative summary of
the state of intellectual freedom in regard to libraries around the globe.
Priority 3
Strengthen the process for responding to incidents.
Experience over the last four years has demonstrated that IFLA/FAIFE can respond
effectively to reports of incidents and violations despite limited resources. A procedure
has been developed and is followed. There is however a need to document that procedure and
to integrate it with the Alerts process operated by IFEX which IFLA/FAIFE joined in 2000.
Priority 4
Establish a Network of IFLA/FAIFE Centres.
Develop a formal network consisting of a small number of IFLA Centres for Free Access to
Information and Freedom of Expression operated by Association or Institution members of
IFLA. See separate paper.
Priority 5
Heighten the importance of bridging the digital divide.
In an increasingly interconnected world, information is more than ever crucial. Develop
strategies to heighten awareness of the digital divide and its implications for access to
information. Promote responses to it. Develop a position and recommended strategies which
can be put to governments and publishers.
Priority 6
Free access to digital information
Internet censorship has been implemented or is being contemplated in countries around the
world. It is necessary to develop a statement on filtering and outline guidelines for
libraries and librarians on free access to the information on the Internet. Develop an
IFLA Internet Manifesto, mirroring the manifestos for public and school libraries.
Priority 7
Build the funding base for IFLA/FAIFE
Strongly supported in its first years by the Danish Library Umbrella, City of Copenhagen
and Danish Government, the Office is now mainly supported by SIDA and DANIDA. This support
has made possible the achievements described in this report. However, it renders the
initiative vulnerable to the discontinuation of that funding after the current period and
to the accusation that FAIFE is a Scandinavian initiative. A broader based financial
support must be achieved to safeguard the initiative and to confirm its global status.
