Ibero-Amerikanisches Institut, Berlin, host of the GB Meetings. Photo: Agentakt, CC-BY-SA 4.0 https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ibero-Amerikanisches_Institut-1.jpg
Ibero-Amerikanisches Institut, Berlin, host of the GB Meetings. Photo: Agentakt, CC-BY-SA 4.0

IFLA’s Governing Board is meeting for the first time in person in 2025 next week, in Berlin. Four months from the end of its term, this is a chance to reflect on progress and successes, establish goals for the coming months and beyond, as well as fulfil its mission to manage the Federation effectively and in line with our missions and values.

Questions to be addressed in the meeting, to be chaired by IFLA President Vicki McDonald, include:

  • Discussing reports about progress over the first quarter of the year, including on IFLA’s finances for the year and any revised projections
  • A look ahead to the 2025 World Library and Information Congress in Astana, Kazakhstan, as well as an update on progress in implementing our World Library and Information Congress review.
  • A strategic discussion both about priorities between now and the end of the term, focused on the President’s six focus areas. It will also look further, exploring the role that IFLA can play in turbulent times in support of the field, drawing on the Trend Report and other resources.
  • Approving our draft Annual Report for 2024, which will be included in the papers for this year’s General Assembly
  • Reports on the work of our Professional and Regional Councils and Management of Library Associations Section. In addition, we will review reports from our five Advisory Committees, and hold live dialogues with the Chairs of the Committee on Standards and Open Science and Scholarship Advisory Committee
  • An update on work around our governance structure health check, as well as implementation of the Code of Conduct for volunteers. We will also discuss plans so far for IFLA100.

In addition to our formal discussions, meeting in Berlin provides an opportunity to engage with volunteers and other colleagues from Germany, as well as to take part in the first ever Night of Libraries.

Look out for a message from Vicki McDonald, sharing the results of the work, in the days following the meeting.