IFLA/FAIFE

IFLA/FAIFE World Report 2007
now available online

Media release Saturday 17 May 2008

Volume 7 of the IFLA/FAIFE World Report Series – Access to libraries and information: Towards a fairer world – provides a world perspective on several issues regarding freedom of expression and freedom of access to information.

The IFLA/FAIFE World Report Series is unique. It is the only source that provides an overview of how libraries around the world are tackling barriers to freedom of access to information and freedom of expression. Its systematic data collection process expands upon previous reports and enables comparison over time. The 2007 edition contains 116 country reports, based on questionnaires and additional research carried out by the Department of Information Science at the University of Pretoria, which provide current details on library statistics; Internet access in libraries and the digital divide; filtering and blocking of online information; user privacy and anti-terror legislation; violations of intellectual freedom; access to HIV/AIDS information; women and freedom of access to information; library codes of ethics, the IFLA Internet Manifesto and the Glasgow Declaration.

The 2007 World Report shows that the digital divide is still a serious reality that needs to be tackled by library communities worldwide in the years to come. Significant inequalities in Internet access exist across the international library community which are often exacerbated by the increasing use of filtering software to protect children and safeguard public morality and religious values. The 2007 World Report shows that in many of IFLA’s member countries, intellectual freedom is still very much under pressure, leaving library users unable to fully express their rights to freedom of access to information.

In addition to the global survey, the report contains the following articles:

  • Archie L. Dick, From censorship to freedom of access to information and freedom of expression in South Africa
  • Irina Trushina, Corruption and transparency in Russia: the anticorruption role of libraries
  • Barbara M. Jones, The USA patriot act: an example of the impact of national security legislation on libraries
  • Kamel Labidi, Censorship in Arab countries
  • Jane Duncan, On libraries and intellectual self-defense
  • Ethel Kriger, The interrelated roles of archival and right of access to information legislation to promote democratic government in South Africa

The IFLA/FAIFE World Report 2007 is an extensive 480-page document that updates previous World Reports from 2001, 2003 and 2005. Taken together with summary reports in 2002, 2004 and 2006, it is the seventh volume in the IFLA/FAIFE World Report Series.

Volume 7 of the IFLA/FAIFE World Report Series, Access to libraries and information: Towards a fairer world, is now available in PDF format for free on the IFLA website.

The Report is also available in a limited print run at a price of 25 Euro for IFLA members and 30 Euro for non-IFLA members. To order a hard copy, please contact: publications@ifla.org.

Theo JD Bothma (Ed). Access to libraries and information: Towards a fairer world. IFLA/FAIFE World Report 2007- World Report Series VII
    The IFLA World Report Series is developed thanks to assistance provided by the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (Sida)

Order information

The IFLA/FAIFE World Report 2007 is available from IFLA Headquarters.

IFLA Headquarters contact information:
Email: IFLA@ifla.org
Tel: +31 70 3140884
Fax: +31 70 3834827

Price (incl. handling and postage):
€ 30, for non-IFLA members
€ 25, special price for IFLA members

North Americans can order a paper copy on demand – please contact stuart.hamilton@ifla.org for more details
ISBN: 978-0-620-41005-2