Libraries and the digital environment in 2021: IFLA input to WSIS reporting

As early as 2003, the World Summit on the Information Society set out a target to connect libraries with ICTs – as part of the push to overcome the digital divide and leverage the internet and ICTs for development. Annual reporting helps keep track of the implementation of this and other key WSIS targets and action lines, from e-government to local content creation.

IFLA’s input to the 2021 WSIS reporting helps take stock of progress made and current trends for libraries in the digital environment.

From the start of the pandemic, libraries have found many different ways to adjust their work to support digital inclusion and meaningful access to digital information – from access to public computers by appointment to virtual digital skills support. At the end of 2021, more evidence is available around the extent and impacts of such initiatives, and what user groups tend to benefit from these efforts the most. Libraries continue to leverage ICTs to meet the evolving needs of their communities, from employment and learning to social inclusion and beyond.

The report also highlights the range of current and planned initiatives to equip more libraries with ICTs and internet connectivity, and other initiatives from the global library field which foster innovation and knowledge exchange.

You can access the IFLA submission below – and read more about library inputs to the World Summit on the Information Society processes over the past years.