Official Invitiation

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Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the National Committee for IFLA WLIC 2012 Helsinki and the entire Finnish library community, we are honoured and happy to welcome you to IFLA`s 78th Congress. We are enthusiastic and proud that Finland is serving as the host country for the annual Congress.

Our goal is to provide a fertile environment for new ideas and enlightened conversation. We aim to create an atmosphere in which the programme organised by different IFLA sections will flourish and have added value. We hope that our theme "Libraries now - inspiring, surprising and empowering" encourages you as much as we feel that libraries inspire their users.

In Finland, libraries are an essential part of society and its public infrastructure. Libraries are heavily used and held in high value. The main challenge for us librarians is to develop innovative services that inspire, surprise and empower new generations of library users. The Congress is strongly supported by all the Finnish library associations, Helsinki City Council, The Ministry of Education and Culture and all libraries in Finland.

During your visits to various libraries, you can evaluate the level of Finnish libraries and how well we have succeeded so far. Together with the congress bureau and the convention centre, our goal is to host the Congress in the spirit of sustainable development, using new technologies in innovative ways. Enthusiastic volunteers will provide the local personal touch and ensure that you find your way around and that your questions receive informative answers.

Helsinki is a pocket-sized metropolis where it is easy to move around even on foot. However, we will make it even easier for you by offering a free pass to use the metropolitan area's public transportation network (buses, metro, trains and trams).

You perhaps know Nokia, Marimekko, Moomins and Sibelius. Nevertheless, Finland is much more. It is also about egalitarian values, love of nature, and a pragmatic attitude. We invite and encourage you to scratch the surface and learn about the surprises and mysteries that Finland and the Finns can offer.

And if your appetite to see more is still strong, then Helsinki offers you the possibility to reach St Petersburg by train and Tallinn by boat - both in under four hours.

You are warmly welcomed to Helsinki - to the city which has been ranked by The Economist as one of the best cities in the world to live in!

On behalf of the 2012 WLIC National Committee:

Maija Berndtson	Sinikka Sipilä	Kimmo Tuominen
Chair	Co-Chair	Co-Chair