An IFLA dynamic Professional Unit has the greatest impact on IFLA’s global work – engaging members, developing strong leadership and identity, delivering high-quality services with measurable impact, and communicating activities within IFLA and beyond. The Professional Council launched the Dynamic Unit and Impact Awards to recognise those Professional structure committees who have excelled in putting Dynamic Unit goals into practice.

Four IFLA Professional Units were awarded this year:

  • The Dynamic Unit and Impact Award for Membership Engagement & Leadership Development
  • The Dynamic Unit and Impact Award for Quality & Impact of Work
  • The Dynamic Unit and Impact Award for Effective Communication
  • The Dynamic Unit and Impact Award for Overall Achievement – excellence in all categories

From Te Paea Paringatai, IFLA 2023-2025 Professional Council Chair

Warmest congratulations to the recipients of the 2025 Dynamic Unit and Impact Awards. Your achievements reflect the very best of IFLA – leadership, collaboration, and a shared commitment to equity, access, and the transformative power of libraries.

To our winners and nominees alike – thank you for inspiring us all and showing what’s possible when passion meets purpose.

The 2025 Dynamic Unit and Impact Award for Overall Achievement – excellence in all categories – is awarded this year to the Equitable & Accessible Library Services Section (EALS).

The Dynamic Unit and Impact Award for Overall Achievement was presented to EALS, whose outstanding work has set a new benchmark in inclusive library services. This past year, the Unit led a thoughtful and impactful name change—demonstrating the importance of language, identity, and removing barriers to access. The updated Terms of Reference followed, reflecting their renewed mission.

The committee published three highly anticipated IFLA Guidelines, covering services to prisoners (2023), displaced persons (2024), and accessibility for people with disabilities (2025). Their contributions to the UN DESA 2024 Disability and Development Report further highlight their global influence.

Through regular virtual meetings, a strong communication strategy, and the formation of solid and engaged working groups, members took on leadership roles in publishing, outreach, and expert content development. Their consistent presence at conferences, webinars, and in journals has raised awareness and strengthened the field.

This award recognizes their collaborative spirit, dedication, and meaningful impact across the library world.

From Ann Okerson, IFLA Professional Division D Committee Chair:

On behalf of all of Division D colleagues, I’m sending congratulations to EALS for earning this significant Professional award.  In keeping with their new name, this committee has elevated the concepts of equitability and accessibility through engaging all its members in publishing three exceptional sets of relevant guidelines.  They collaborated with many other IFLA committees and also external IFLA partners to enrich content and then to create a vigorous agenda for promulgating the guidelines in numerous venues.  The EALS overall communications strategy has been wide-ranging and inclusive, encompassing its section members, the IFLA website, newsletters, and social media.  We cheer our colleagues on as they go from strength to strength.

The Dynamic Unit and Impact Award for Membership Engagement & Leadership Development is awarded to: Library and Research Services for Parliaments Section (IFLA PARL).

The Dynamic Unit and Impact Award Membership Engagement & Leadership Development has been presented to IFLA PARL in recognition of its impactful implementation and engagement in collaborative work. Between August 2024 and May 2025, the Section led major initiatives, including a successful Annual Conference in Madrid, contributions to global conversations on AI, and the launch of a Memorial Webinar Series. IFLA PARL strengthened international collaboration, supported key projects in Malaysia and Australia, and advanced its communications strategy. With active leadership, inclusive representation, and effective coordination, IFLA PARL continues to be a driving force in the parliamentary library and research community.

From Lisa Hinchliffe, IFLA Professional Division B Committee Chair:

The Library and Research Services for Parliaments Section is a quintessential model of engaging members and developing leadership. The impact of its systematic and inclusive approach to establishing working groups for each of its Action Plan items is evident in the section’s successful achievements of an ambitious set of activities and in its active membership representing almost all regions of the world: North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. IFLA PARL members also stepped into leadership roles within Division B, including organizing the Division’s program at WLIC 2025.  From the current foundations and best practices, IFLA PARL is poised to continue to strengthen its impact in the field and in IFLA itself. 

The Dynamic Unit and Impact Award for Quality & Impact of Work is awarded to the New Professionals Special Interest Group (NPSIG).

The Dynamic Unit and Impact Award – Quality & Impact of the Work, has been awarded to NPSIG, championing new professionals in the library field. This past year, they submitted a successful proposal to the IFLA Governing Board for a new award honoring outstanding emerging professionals—recognizing excellence and inspiring future leaders. Their vibrant flashmobs and IFLA Camps at WLIC have celebrated reading and gathering as global connectors.  The committee also hosted collaborative webinars with ALA, ASIS&T, and student groups, providing early-career professionals with essential skills and global visibility. Their commitment to inclusion, mentorship, and empowerment embodies the DUIA spirit.

From Karin Byström , IFLA Professional Division C Committee Chair:

NPSIG continues to deliver a wide range of engaging activities with new professionals. Their numerous physical and online activities are easily accessible and invite global involvement and participation. It is fantastic to see how NPSIG creates real impact when it comes to supporting early-career professionals and how they act as a first contact in engaging more volunteers with IFLA. NPSIG volunteers also collaborate broadly within IFLA, supporting other units’ activities to reach a wider audience of library and information professionals.

The Dynamic Unit and Impact Award for Effective Communication is awarded to the Environment, Sustainability & Libraries Section (ENSULIB).

The Dynamic Unit and Impact Award has been presented to ENSULIB for its outstanding contributions to advancing green and sustainable library practices. In the past year, ENSULIB managed its 2025 Green Library Award, submitted a draft for the first global Guidelines for Green Libraries, and initiated a book project on Education for Sustainable Development. Their active communications team, regular webinars, and biannual newsletter have strengthened global engagement. Through collaborations, translations, and global representation at conferences, ENSULIB continues to inspire the library field to act on climate, equity, and sustainability.

From Edmund Balnaves, Professional IFLA Division G Committee Chair:

ENSULIB has consistently demonstrated exemplary collaborative communication, setting a high standard for international cooperation within the library and information science community.   Through clear coordination, collaboration with other units and  inclusive engagement, ENSULIB continues to build a dynamic and productive communication strategy that empowers its members and amplifies their collective impact in advancing shared goals around sustainability and environmental responsibility.