A new IFLA survey gathers insights on the state of libraries in the digital ecosystem in 2021. Have you introduced new ICT-based services, or changed your web presence? Would you like to highlight changes to how well libraries in your area are connected to the interent, or new developments that shaped the needs of your users in a digital environment? Have you seen inspiring good practices of libraires supporting digital inclusion or access to digital content? Share your insights and help shape IFLA reporting to the World Summit on the Information Society!

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) is a global initiative that brings together stakeholders committed to leveraging ICT for development and bridging the digital divide. It was launched as a UN-sponsored summit in 2003 and 2005, where connecting libraries was identified as one of the WSIS Targets – an important step towards ensuring that everyone can benefit from the internet and ICTs.

A 2014 WSIS review and stock-taking report outlined the progress made in delivering on this target, and the key roles libraries play in the information society: their contributions to digital inclusion, skills-building, access to knowledge and information, and availability of cultural and local digital content.

Annual WSIS reporting: insights from the library field

Since then, annual reporting helps track the continued implementation of WSIS goals, targets and action lines. As part of this process, key stakeholders from various fields are invited to submit inputs every year. As IFLA has the opportunity to put forward insights from the library field’s perspective, we want to hear from you and to highlight the information society trends and practices which are most relevant for your libraries!

To help gather inputs from the global library field, we have launched a survey where you can share your insights and experiences with:
–    The state of library connectivity in your area;
–    ICT-based library services that help meet the needs of their constituencies (e.g. digital inclusion, digital skills training, access to cultural, educational or scientific digital materials);
–    External trends and developments that shape libraries’ ICT-based services;
–    Libraries’ web presence; and more.

The modular structure of the survey makes it easy for you to navigate the questions and focus on the sections which are of most interest for you. Would you like to contribute to this year’s WSIS reporting around libraries? Fill in the survey and share your insights – we would appreciate receiving your responses by 27 October.

You can access the IFLA survey through Alchemer. You can also read WSIS report inputs from the global library field perspective from previous years – for example, 2019 and 2018.