IFLA President Barbara Lison receives the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany

On 21 February 2022, Dr. Andreas Bovenschulte, Prime Minister of the German state of Bremen and city mayor, awarded IFLA President Barbara Lison the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland). Also known as the “Federal Cross of Merit”, it is Germany’s highest state recognition.

Director of the Stadtbibliothek Bremen since 1992, Lison was honoured with the award for her many years of commitment to libraries at both the national and international level.

Mayor Bovenschulte remarked:

“Barbara Lison not only shapes the development of public libraries in the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, but also far beyond the borders. She is actively involved in international and national library associations. Even during the corona pandemic, she is committed to social cohesion, networking and exchange within the library world, but also to ensure that these are reopened to the people of Bremen. She is currently President of the World Association of Libraries [i.e., International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions] and is therefore considered the most important lobbyist for libraries worldwide.”

IFLA congratulates President Lison on receiving this high honour.

Read more: Die Pressestelle des Senats Bremen (in German)