Stay up to date with our latest developments, initiatives, and new resources!
We're happy to share a high-level overview of key meetings, events and observances that provide opportunities for libraries to make our voices heard by governments and wider stakeholder groups. Take a look through, and think where you want and could be able to get involved!
In two events last week at the national and parliamentary libraries, IFLA was able to meet with a wide range of people in the Indonesian library community, both talking about the need to advocate for our profession and institutions, and hearing about great local experiences.
Librarians and archivists bring a unique set of skills and values which have a major positive impact on the organisations in which they work. However, we need to mobilise to ensure that those taking decisions understand this, as has been the case recently in Australia.
In the first of an occasional series focused on successful advocacy initiatives by libraries around the world, we look to Argentina, where a recent decision saw a commitment to funding community libraries for 50 years. To find out more about what was achieved, and how, we interviewed the Chair of IFLA's Regional Division Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean, Alejandro Santa.
The 2022 High Level Political Forum (HLPF) – the highlight of the annual calendar on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – takes place this year on 5-18 July, and libraries will be well-represented.
At the heart of the work of IFLA and the library field as a whole around the SDGs is the fact that libraries are partners for development, across the policy agenda. As a result, it makes sense that libraries should also be involved in wider initiatives that look to deliver on development goals, at the national and international levels. We interviewed Merve Yavuzdemir from Turkey, who is running library projects with the United Nations Development Programme, to find out more, and to underline the possibilities for libraries everywhere to be proactive in taking a place at the table!
Open Data Day is celebrated on 5 March each year and provides an opportunity for open data advocates and practitioners to mark successes and explore key questions. We talked to the Library Map of the World contributors about importance of publicly accessible, up-to-date and high-quality data about libraries.
Every February, Safer Internet Day brings together diverse stakeholders to empower young internet users, raise awareness and support skills-building to ensure their safety online. This is a unique opportunity to highlight and build on the crucial work libraries are doing to support digital literacy, safety and wellbeing of children and youth online.
The United Nations 2030 Agenda is not just a document for governments, rather it sets out responsibilities for everyone, including libraries! However, it is not always easy to make the connection between high-level policy documents and day-to-day library operations. We interviewed Natalice Cardoso, to find out about her work in engaging libraries in questions around the Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals
IFLA's new Statement on Open Library Data calls on governments to ensure, either directly or through supporting others, the collection and open publication of data about libraries and their use.
IFLA is happy to share the 2021 Update of its Trend Report, based on the ideas submitted by emerging library leaders ahead of our World Library and Information Congress. We invite you to look through, and think how these trends will interact and impact upon our institutions, our profession and our communities.
IFLA’s Regional Division Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean has been active in supporting the Ecuadorian librarians’ association in fighting back against a proposal to close down library degree programmes in the country.
A new briefing provides insights on a key UN document on sustainability which provides a potential framework for securing greater recognition and new partnerships for libraries and library and information professionals.
These webinars around the theme “Lessons from the Library Advocacy Priorities Study” provide a starting point to think where and how we advocate for libraries. Recording and slides are now available.
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.
To mark World Cities Day 2021, IFLA has released a short report looking at the experience of libraries as UNESCO Cities of Literature, and the impact that this designation has.
This new study from IFLA sheds light on where libraries around the world are focused in their advocacy, and how they are working to achieve their goals. It is designed to be the catalyst for conversations about how we can strengthen the voice of libraries, globally, regionally and nationally.
The following statement was issued by Secretary General Gerald Leitner, on behalf of IFLA on 25 August 2021.
A new IFLA survey gathers insights on the state of libraries in the digital ecosystem in 2021.
The 2021 European Dialogue on Internet Governance took place last week, bringing together stakeholders to discuss, collaborate and facilitate good practices around the policies and processes which shape the digital ecosystem today. IFLA summarises some key messages and takeaway lessons for libraries worldwide.