IFLA Latin American and the Caribbean Section: 40 years!

The foundations for the IFLA Latin American and the Caribbean Section (IFLA LAC) began in November 1974, at a pre-seminar for librarians from Spanish speaking countries called "Library Planning for the Spanish Speaking", organized by IFLA and sponsored by UNESCO. During this session before the 40th General Council meeting of IFLA in Washington—with 21 Spanish-speaking librarians from 13 Latin American and Caribbean countries—the IFLA Working Group for Latin America and the Caribbean was formally established.

In 1976, to encourage library associations in developing countries, IFLA established the Division of Regions, placing IFLA LAC together with the regional groups of Africa and Asia. At this time, the first Standing Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean was established.

By 1979, the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean was set up and the Section published its first newsletter; professional communications became one of the pillars of their work.

From the beginning, IFLA LAC Section has contributed to regional IFLA activities and has been involved in various IFLA Activities and Groups, and especially with the ALP, PAC and FAIFE Strategic Programmes.

IFLA has always encouraged the participation of libraries and librarians from Latin America and the Caribbean in the regional and international activities creating strong cooperation and interaction among the countries of the region.

The IFLA conferences held in the Latin American and the Caribbean region—Havana 1994, Buenos Aires 2004 and Puerto Rico 2011—along with the organization of several seminars, workshops and meetings, has raised awareness among the international community about the experiences and actions carried out by the different countries of the region.  These activities have established an IFLA presence among thousands of Latin American and Caribbean professionals.

At this moment IFLA LAC continues to work on projects of regional interest and promotes activities related to information and knowledge access according to IFLA's Key Initiatives.

Happy 40 years IFLA LAC!