An alliance for libraries, books and reading in Latin America and the Caribbean: memorandum of understanding signed with CERLALC

On the occasion of the mid-term meeting of IFLA’s Regional Division Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean, a memorandum of understanding was signed between IFLA and CERLALC, the Centre for the Promotion of Books and Reading in Latin America and the Caribbean. This provides a framework for deeper cooperation between our organisation, in support of shared goals.

Libraries across Latin America and the Caribbean, and of course around the world, have a crucial role to play in supporting literate, reading societies. This makes our institutions into powerful potential partners for other organisations sharing these goals.

One such example is the Centre for the Promotion of Books and Reading in Latin America and the Caribbean, CERLALC, a UNESCO-affiliated centre based in Bogotá, but working across the region.

CERLALC already carries out important work around supporting the development of literacy strategies, and was a key player in organising the Ibero-American Year of Libraries in 2021. They have also featured in past President’s Meetings and at our 2021 World Library and Information Congress.

The signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with CERLALC now provides a framework to take forwards IFLA’s work with the Centre, and in particular the action plan of our Regional Division Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean. Indeed, it was the mid-term meeting of the Committee that provided the opportunity to sign the MoU, with chair Alejandro Santa doing so on behalf of IFLA Interim CEO Halo Locher.

Key initial areas of collaboration include efforts to strengthen library systems in the region, and to explore how to promote literacy and reading most effectively.

We are looking forward to working with CERLALC, and exploring opportunities to build similar partnerships elsewhere in the world, in support of libraries, library and information professionals, and our goals.