Setting goals, taking action: IFLA Study explores library advocacy priorities and activities globally
28 October 2021
A 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.
A key consequence of IFLA’s governance review has been the strengthening of our structures for advocacy and the development of action plans at the regional level. These tasks are at the heart of the mandate for the new IFLA Regional Council and Regional Divisions.
What
To launch this work, we wanted to get a first idea of where current advocacy efforts focus around the world. Through a survey, we therefore looked to build an understanding of the following:
- Levels of focus on financial support for different types of library
- Levels of focus on different policy issues relevant for libraries
- Level of engagement in different types of activity associated with advocacy
Results
The results, published today, offer a summary of the data received from more than 500 respondents in all IFLA world regions.
It also offers breakdowns of data according to the type of respondent (association, institution or individual), size, and region as far as possible with the data received.
This allows us to get an idea of differences not only between regions, but between associations (which tend to have a stronger focus on advocacy anyway) and institutions, and between larger and smaller players.
Future
Blogs in the coming weeks will explore the data in more depth, but with this publication today, we hope that the field will find a useful tool for starting conversations about where libraries focus their advocacy efforts, and the sorts of activities carried out in this context.
We encourage associations and others to draw on the results in thinking through their own advocacy planning, reflecting on what priorities would apply in their context.
We hope it will inspire further reflection and action to respond to the field’s advocacy needs.
Happy reading!
Click on the picture below to read the Regional Advocacy Priorities Study Results.
IFLA Regional Advocacy Priorities Study
This 2021 study from IFLA explores library advocacy priorities and activities globally. It 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 t...