IFLA President Glòria Pérez-Salmerón

IFLA President Glòria Pérez-Salmerón helped lead the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the National Library and Archives of Iran on 26 February. At the invitation of the Director, Dr Ashraf Boroujerdi, this was the first visit to the institution by an IFLA President.

The ceremony saw participation by representatives of nearly forty countries, and a range of actions to mark the moment, including efforts to give the public easier access to reference works. The library itself brings together a number of older collections, and plays a leading role in supporting cataloguing and preservation of Persian works.

In her words to the audience gathered, she encouraged Iranian librarians and international professionals to engage in IFLA’s Global Vision. Globalisation was a reality, and libraries could be motors of change within societies by providing access to information to all. Librarians and information professionals were the gears of the motors, with a critical role in making sure this happens.

Ms Pérez-Salmerón’s visit also provided the opportunity to visit Al-Zahra University, where 10000 women are studying, to meet the staff of the National Library and 200 members of the Iranian Library Association, and to visit the Hosseiniyed Ershard public library that provides dedicated services to people with special needs.

With Dato' Nafisah Binti Ahmad, Director General of the Malaysian National Library and chair of the Malaysian National Committee for WLIC2018 in attendance, it was also a great chance to look forward to WLIC 2018.