For the position of Governing Board Member 2015-2017

Victoria OwenIt has been my privilege to be an active member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) for over 15 years.  As a member of the IFLA Governing Board, I will work tirelessly with government agencies, libraries and other interested parties worldwide, to promote and inspire a better understanding of the significance of library and information services and professionals in both the private and public sectors and to advocate for best practices for accessibility to, and protection and preservation of, the world’s cultural heritage.  I will build on my established international network of relationships to raise the profile of libraries worldwide, and contribute to policy forums that align with IFLA strategic goals.

As an advocate at the national and international level, I am known for promoting reasonable and balanced policies as they relate to the accessibility and preservation of library and archival materials. I am certain that my advocacy efforts in copyright and information policy, my background in library administration serving academic, special and public libraries, along with my graduate degrees in law and library science, will allow me to make valuable contributions to further IFLA’s position as the international voice of the library and information community. 

I have long been involved with and am passionate about information policy issues.  I am currently Chair of IFLA’s Copyright and Other Legal Matters Committee, a position I have held since 2011. In addition, I am a member of the copyright committees of the Canadian Library Association (CLA) and the Ontario Library Association, and a former elected Councilor for CLA.

I look forward to the opportunity to further advance the role of libraries in global information practices by serving on the IFLA Governing Board

Victoria Owen
Head Librarian
University of Toronto Scarborough
Toronto
Ontario, Canada