Stay up to date with our latest developments, initiatives, and new resources!
A coalition of organisations representing libraries and technologists has called on governments and decision-makers to ensure that every community is connected, and, through libraries, has access to the content and skills needed to enjoy the benefits that the internet can bring.
IFLA is proud to sign up to two documents addressing a key issue of our time – the digital divide. The first calls on governments to act to support investment in wider connectivity and the libraries that help users make the most of it. The second represents a pledge to do all in our power to promote digital inclusion, and is open to wider signatures.
The 2020 Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum took place between 27 and 30 of September. This platform offers unique opportunities for dialogue and collaboration among the different stakeholders interested and engaged in the way the Internet works and is governed in a region that includes the majority of the world’s population. An IFLA-led workshop explored the policy and practice perspectives on meaningful digital inclusion and access to information, drawing on the work and experiences of libraries in the region.
Information technology continues to have a fundamental impact on the library sector; and libraries’, library users’ and policy-makers’ expectations of library services are evolving alongside technological developments and changing community needs. To make sure libraries are able to deliver on these tasks, suitable and fit-for-purpose library ICT infrastructure equipment and skills are crucial. The new IFLA briefing offers an overview of common recurring themes in relevant literature and key considerations for assessing library ‘tech readiness’.
Libraries were among the winners of this year's World Summit on the Information Society Prizes, celebrating projects which show how digital technologies can contribute to development. We interviewed Heba Ismail, Director of the winning INELI-MENA programme, to find out more.
IFLA is proud to announce a new partnership with the Goethe Institut – Emerging International Voices – bringing together active, engaged and connected emerging leaders from around the world.
E-government – the use of ICT to deliver public services and conduct government operations – aims not only to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the public sector, but also to promote the values of openness, transparency, accountability and public access to information. These principles are of course relevant to the work and values of the library field; and libraries can offer support to digital government initiatives and strategies. The 2020 UN E-Government Survey Report offers some insights on the way libraries can help build inclusive and effective e-governments.
This week, as part of the ongoing EU Media Literacy project in which IFLA is a partner, several European libraries followed an online course on hosting dedicated events that can help their communities become savvier digital citizens.
The 2020 European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG) took place online on June 11-12. IFLA joined the conference to get more insights on what recent trends in European internet policy and governance could be relevant and interesting for the library field.
IFLA is working on a Media Literacy project within the framework of the EU 'Preparatory Action on Media Literacy for All'. The goal is to help deliver on libraries’ potential to be agents of change and champions of media literacy, who continue to help build informed and engaged communities.
The long-standing mission of libraries to promote equitable access to information often leads them to get involved in digital inclusion efforts. We talked to Catharina Isberg, IFLA Governing Board Member and Library Director, Helsingborg City Libraries and Eva Hveem, Librarian, to find out about their experience of working with a European Union programme on the subject.
One of the key parts of the response to COVID-19 has been the fight against the ‘infodemic’ – the volume of misleading information spreading around the world. With their long-standing role in promoting media and information literacy, libraries have a key potential role to play.
Ensuring equitable access to information and knowledge lies at the heart of the library mission. As part of this goal, many libraries offer public internet access and workstations. And yet, there are still areas where many people do not have an opportunity to get online. Community networks - local community-led initiatives to build and maintain a telecommunications infrastructure – are emerging as an alternative model to help connect the unconnected. How do such Community Network projects relate to libraries’ mission, what can libraries do to support these initiatives?
Recent privacy laws have reinforced the idea of a right to delete personal data held by others. This is broadly welcome but should not lead to situations where libraries and archives are obliged to destroy works in their collections. The new IFLA-ICA statement sets out principles and alternatives.
Libraries work to protect the online safety and wellbeing of their patrons and communities by promoting digital literacy and offering inclusive ICT skills training and assistance. On Safer Internet Day 2020, libraries in many countries are joining the campaign to raise awareness and help children and young people develop the skills for safe and responsible Internet use.
Today is the start of the biannual 1Lib1Ref event! From 15th January to 5th February 2020, librarians around the world will contribute to the 5th campaign taking place on Wikipedia. The objectives of this effort are to improve the quality and reliability of articles on the website with librarians and by inviting the public to contribute to Wikipedia by exploiting the sources available in libraries.
Today is Human Rights Day, the anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. To help libraries and others reflect on the state of fundamental rights where they are, IFLA has released its Intellectual Freedom Checklist.
In 2020, the Wikimedia Foundation is launching the fifth edition of One Librarian One Reference (#1Lib1Ref) which will be held from 15th of January to the 5th of February 2020!
Between 25 and 29 November 2019, IFLA participated in the 14th annual Internet Governance Forum meeting in Berlin. The key messages IFLA emphasised were the importance of policy support for public access in libraries, the role of libraries in enabling meaningful connectivity, and in generating meaningful internet content through digitisation efforts.
Today we are celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the current edition of the Public Library Manifesto. This document, agreed by IFLA and the Member States of UNESCO, places public libraries at the heart of efforts to promote education, democracy and participation in culture.