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The World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) is at the heart of IFLA. Everyone has an opinion about the Congress, and the WLIC Review Steering Committee would like to thank all those that contributed their ideas and feedback through the pulse surveys and other opportunities to provide input over the past year.  

The IFLA community overwhelmingly sees the value in the Congress. WLIC holds a unique position as an international and comprehensive event for the library and information field. Where once the Congress was a time to listen and learn, a higher value is now placed by the IFLA community on learning through discussion, meetings and networking, or sessions including training and professional development.

At its December 2024 meeting, the Governing Board approved the WLIC Review Final Committee Report and its recommendations. A plan for the implementation of the revamped WLIC model, is being prepared by a working group that includes Leslie Weir, President-Elect; Stuart Hamilton, Interim Treasurer; Marian Morgan-Bindon, Chair Division A representing the Professional Council; Helen Mandl and Alain Zayan, IFLA HQ. This plan will be reviewed by the GB at its April 2025 meeting. The first order of business is for the Implementation Plan Working Group to support IFLA HQ in issuing the calls of interest for hosting upcoming WLICs, starting with those for 2026 and 2027

The report recommends that as of 2026 that WLIC will once again be an in-person annual event, held in August of every year with a highly curated innovative programme focusing on the key issues and trends in libraries and information. In alternate years business meetings will take place at the Congress to coincide with the election year. The Congress will be held in the different regions of the world and will operate with a sustainable financial model.

One of the most important questions was that of frequency. With 49.1% of respondents to the pulse survey preferring every year, 50% preferring every two years and 0.9% every three years, there is no clear choice. Interestingly, of those who preferred every two years, their preference was for regional meetings or a virtual congress in the alternate year – in essence wanting an IFLA global gathering every year. While August has its benefits and detractors, input confirmed that the best month for the congress is normally August.

The Congress programme will take place over 3 to 4 days with a maximum of 4 concurrent sessions. There will be with a conscious effort to provide the highly curated approach desired by members and volunteers and to make WLIC financially sustainable for attendees, the national planning committees and IFLA.

Open sessions, lightning talks, posters and other creative programming, along with satellite meetings, caucus meetings and library tours will all be features of the annual WLIC. Social events will be separately ticketed to help keep the registration costs affordable for all. In planning each WLIC, the possibility of reduced registration fees in host countries/regions will be considered, depending upon the circumstances – including social, economic, and political aspects—with the goal of enabling and encouraging local participation.

More to come in April 2025.

Leslie Weir
IFLA President-elect 2023-2025