63rd IFLA General Conference and Council, Copenhagen, August / September 1997

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is a non-governmental international association representing libraries and librarians in 145 countries throughout the world. At its General Conference in Copenhagen from 31^st August - 5^th September 1997, which was attended by over 2,500 delegates, IFLA General Conference discussed the situation in the public libraries in four municipalities in France, which have been subject to the censorship of books and periodicals by the local authorities and where the neutrality and impartiality of librarians has been seriously questioned. The pressure on librarians has been so strong that some have been forced to change their jobs.

IFLA strongly supports the UNESCO Public Library Manifesto which states that:

IFLA views these developments in the French municipalities with grave concern, as a serious infringement of the manifesto, and urges:

• that all municipalities in France firmly support the principles of the UNESCO Public Library Manifesto

• that the French government takes urgent measures to guarantee the ability of public libraries and librarians to act in accordance with the Manifesto

• that the deputies and Senators of the French parliament enact legislation that will confirm the right of public librarians to provide collections and services free of ideological, political and religious censorship and which will support the impartiality of librarians.

IFLA General Conference expresses its strong support for the right of librarians to develop services which provide free and unfettered access to information and knowledge and which reflect the plurality and diversity of society and will continue to work actively on their behalf.