Newsroom

Libraries for a Fair Digital Environment: trends, plans and engagement opportunities in 2022

Looking Ahead on Health

The Pandemic has clearly focused minds on health, and how essential it is that we do not take it for granted. The right to health – and with it, the right to health information – have rapidly moved up the political agenda. Find out about the plans of our Health and Biosciences Section (HBS) and Evidence for Global and Disaster Health Special Interest Group (E4GDH), and in particular about the 2022 International Congress of Medical Librarianship.

Health information by right: making the case for ensuring access to reliable information

In the early months of 2020, WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus underlined that in addition to fighting a pandemic, the world also needed to reckon with an 'infodemic'. As argued by the speakers at the WLIC 2021 session on Access to health information as a human right: A global call to action and practical steps, there is an urgent need for action to ensure that every person should have access to  reliable health information and should be protected from misinformation.

Internet Governance in 2021: takeaways and insights for libraries

Libraries and Access to Reproductive Health Information in Times of Crisis

Impacts of public access to the internet and ICT in libraries: reviewing recent evidence

Getting Ready for Human Rights Day 2021

10 December 2021 will mark international Human Rights Day – the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN General Assembly in 1948. This year’s theme has a strong focus on equality in advancing human rights, a topic closely aligned with libraries’ own mission to build opportunities for all.

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.

Libraries Inspire: Transcript of the Session with Professor Karima Bennoune

Among the different types of human rights set out in international law, cultural rights have a particular relevance for libraries. Our institutions are key actors in guaranteeing the right of everyone to participate in cultural life, from creativity, to access, to the preservation of heritage. Professor Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights 2015-2021, focused on this topic in her keynote intervention at WLIC 2021.

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

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

Balancing Inclusion and Freedom of Expression

A new IFLA background paper explores questions and practices around moderation of third-party content in libraries.

Digital literacy for online trust and well-being: library perspectives from the Asia-Pacific

An IFLA workshop at the 2021 Asia-Pacific regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF) explored the way libraries help support digital literacy-building in their communities - to help safeguard their online wellbeing, safety and trust.

Building a strong library voice in Internet Governance: interview with Bibliosuisse

From digital inclusion to media literacy, libraries have long worked to help build a more equitable digital ecosystem that everyone could access and benefit from. Libraries’ expertise can offer valuable insights to today’s internet governance and policy discussions – and more and more informational professionals are joining these dialogues and platforms.

Library voices in Internet Governance: upcoming engagement opportunities

Digital rights and inclusion, media literacy, the ethics of algorithms, and many other pressing goals and questions continue to be at the heart of internet governance dialogues.

Libraries in the broadband ecosystem: gearing up for IFLA WLIC 2021

The past 20 months have required libraries around the world to not only find ways to deliver their services remotely when possible – but also to reflect on their broader roles in the digital ecosystem.

The Public Library Manifesto – 25 years of Advocacy, and many more to come!

The IFLA/UNESCO Public Library Manifesto proclaims UNESCO's belief in the public library as a living force for education, culture and information, and as an essential agent for the fostering of peace and welfare through the minds of all people.

UNESCO endorses the IFLA Manifesto for Digital Libraries

Bridging the digital divide

Digital Library Futures Conference – and the future of digital libraries within IFLA

Summary and follow up