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Getting Ready for Human Rights Day 2021

Now Available: IFLA Asia and Oceania Regional Quarterly News – November 2021 Issue

We are proud to present the latest IFLA Asia & Oceania Regional Newsletter (Nov 2021).

UNESCO Agrees Open Science Recommendation – Implications for Libraries

During its General Conference, held on 9-24 November, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) agreed a new Recommendation on Open Science. IFLA has welcomed this work, and encourages librarians, libraries and associations to draw on this in their own practice and advocacy.

Australian Library Peak Bodies Launch Stretch Targets for Sustainability

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) International Relations Advisory Committee (IRAC) has published 10 stretch targets for the library and information sector in Australia, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Who Reads Malay Manuscripts? The Impact of the Bollinger Digitisation Project at the British Library

Through the generous support of William and Judith Bollinger, over a two-year period from 2013 to 2015, the British Library was able to digitise its complete collection of Malay manuscripts in a collaborative project with the National Library Board of Singapore.

Iran Libraries Book Courier Service: A Front Door Book Delivery Service

With the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), restrictions have been imposed on the operation of public libraries in Iran, although other new forms of service have emerged.

New Zealand Law Librarians Association Virtual Conference 2021: Stronger Together

This year, the New Zealand Law Librarians Association conference went digital. In a time of uncertainty and cancelled events, the conference committee at the outset decided on hosting a virtual conference.

The Director General of the National Library of Malaysia

It is a great honour to have the opportunity to introduce myself in this newsletter.

Message from the Regional Office

Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Mr Winston Roberts as the newly elected Chair of the IFLA Regional Division Committee for Asia and Oceania as well as the 19 Members of the Committee.

Message from Chair of IFLA Regional Division Committee for Asia and Oceania

Our region of Asia-Oceania has a stronger mandate and a new Committee. The Pacific (North and South) is more strongly represented than before. The Regional Council and all the Regional Division Committees are actively preparing their Action Plans which will fit in with IFLA’s overall Action Plan. You will hear more from us in the coming months and years!

The UNESCO General Conference: recognising libraries as partners in culture, education, and access to information

UNESCO’s 41st General Conference has ended. This biennial meeting brings together representatives of the Member States, alongside observers from non-Member States, intergovernmental organisations, and non-governmental organisations, to determine the policies and the main lines of work of UNESCO.

Exploratory meeting : formation of an IFLA Special Interest Group on Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence applications are increasingly a part of the library space: in chatbots, embedded in library systems, used for automated indexing and classification, and integral to robots.  The IT Section in the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions is sponsoring the formation of a Special Interest Group in AI (AI SIG).

Public Libraries: Responding in Times of Crisis

Earlier this month more than 100 delegates joined Dr Sadie-Jane Nunis (Singapore Institute of Management), Vickery Bowles (Toronto Public Library) and Prof R. David Lankes (University of Texas at Austin’s School of Information) for a webinar facilitated by Erik Boekesteijn (National Library of the Netherlands)

Bringing the Voice of Libraries to COP26

IFLA was proud to join the Climate Heritage Network in a series of events that brought the voices of cultural heritage and cultural institutions to the table – highlighting the sector’s critical role in powering climate action.

Report IFLA-IPU Conference Parliamentary library & research services: towards an agenda for the next decade

ARL Webinar on Disaster in Libraries: Speakers' Bio (October 2021)

Upcoming webinar: "Accessibility Helps You Share More, Share Better", November 23rd

The IFLA Audiovisual and Multimedia Section (AVMS) invites you to a 60-minute webinar on how to make born digital content more accessible.

Library Voices in the Internet Governance Forum 2021: A Look Ahead

The upcoming 2021 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) offers libraries an opportunity to engage with internet governance policy dialogues, and to shape their role in helping achieve these ambitious goals.

The Role of Libraries in National Broadband Plans and Policies

A 2-part report by IFLA and EIFL (Electronic Information for Libraries) explores the roles libraries play in different national broadband policies and plans, and how such policy measures were implemented in practice.

We’re back! WLIC to be in Dublin, Ireland in 2022

IFLA is excited to announce its plan to hold the 87th IFLA World Library and Information Congress in person, in Dublin, Ireland. Mark the dates in your diary now – 26-29 July 2022 – and look out for more updates!