In the coming months, we will be sharing a range of publications and tools focused on answering key questions for the sustainability of the library field. Find out more about this work, made possible by the financial support of Stichting IFLA Global Libraries, established by IFLA to manage the legacy grant awarded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to IFLA in 2016 when the BMFG Global Libraries programme ended 

IFLA is in a unique position to support the long-term sustainability of the library field. We provide a meeting place and structure where people, institutions and organisations can meet, share, and create together. We also have a key role as the voice for our profession in international spaces. And crucially, we are also able to take a global perspective on some of the key issues that will shape our work into the future.

Our ability to fulfil these missions is strengthened by the financial support of Stichting IFLA Global Libraries, complementing all that IFLA as an organisation can already bring. 

Support from SIGL is, notably, making possible a range of research projects, focused on key questions we have identified relating to the future sustainability of our field.  

Here is a selection of what you can expect to see between now and the end of the year: 

Understanding Library Fields: a first project is looking at how library fields as a whole are organised, and is being carried out by David Baker Consulting. This aims to provide a model of the structures in place, looking at levels of centralisation, possibilities for partnership, and the existence, powers and role of coordinating institutions. This work will lead to an open access report, and will help build understanding of how libraries can show their ability to act as partners for systemic change.   

Reviewing support for association effectiveness: a second project focuses on how IFLA can support associations to make change happen in their societies, including through partnerships. This builds on the experience of the Building Strong Library Associations programme that ran, with the support of the Gates Foundation, in the last decade, evaluating longer-term lessons from this, as well as exploring the needs of associations today. The work is being carried out by Quality Metrics, and will also produce an open access report sharing lessons and identified needs for the future.  

Exploring Leaders’ Programmes: with support for emerging leaders a key part of any sustainability strategy, this project looks at the types of scheme in place across the library field and beyond. It will help develop a typology of such programmes in terms of their format, goals and more, and share lessons about their impact where information is available. The work is being led by the Arab Federation of Libraries and Information, and will lead to an open access report that will not only help plan future international leaders’ programmes, but will help national and other organisations do the same.  

Updating the Library Map of the World: the Library Map of the World has already established itself as a key resource, collecting data about the field and offering a platform to highlight great examples of libraries’ contributions to development. It is now 7 years old, and it is time to look at how to enhance these impacts through a redesign. The call for applicants has just closed, and we’re looking forward to working with the successful one to ensure that the Map fulfils its potential to power library advocacy and planning globally. 

We’re looking forward to sharing the results of these projects with the field, and are grateful to SIGL for the financial support that makes them possible. Look out also for news about other funded projects!