Dear friends,

Welcome to the latest edition of the IFLA Asia and Oceania Regional Newsletter.

As we close out 2025, this final quarterly issue brings you an inspiring collection of achievements, innovations, and collaborative efforts that have shaped our regional library community over the past months.

We are thrilled to highlight the successful conclusion of Open Book: The NLB30 Keynotes by Singapore’s National Library and Archives Board (NLB), with the final session featuring IFLA President Leslie Weir and International Council on Archives President Josée Kirps discussing how artificial intelligence is transforming our field. Additionally, IFLA’s professional development efforts continue through workshops with the Thai Library Association and Librarians Association of Malaysia, strengthening our regional capacity to plan for impact through community engagement and demonstrate how libraries can transform communities.

This issue also captures the vibrant pulse of library developments across our region, featuring initiatives and updates from Bangladesh’s East West University, the National Library of Indonesia, the Nanyang Technological University, and the Thai Library Association, alongside valuable insights from the Pacific Rim Research Libraries Alliance (PRRLA). These diverse contributions showcase the innovation and collaborative spirit that continue to drive our region’s library community forward.

Additionally, we are delighted to feature the Regional Council’s session at the 2025 World Library Information Congress, “Advocacy and Collaboration in a Time of Global Upheaval,” which brought together international library professionals to share strategies for strengthening advocacy and collaboration during challenging times.

We would also like to take this opportunity to share the conclusions and resources from the “Stronger, Bolder, Together” webinar series, co-hosted by IFLA Presidents Vicki McDonald (2023-25) and Leslie Weir (2025-27). This collection includes key takeaways and conclusions from each session, making it easy for you to access the most important insights at a glance.

Finally, it gives us great pleasure to share that two colleagues from the Asia-Oceania region – Jayshree Mamtora and Jan Richards – have been honoured with the 2025 IFLA Scroll of Appreciation. Please join us in congratulating them on this well-deserved recognition!

As we conclude our fourth and final issue of 2025, we extend our warmest wishes for a happy holiday season and sincerely appreciate all our contributors who have made this year possible. We look forward to bringing you more updates and regional developments in upcoming issues and wish you a happy New Year and a wonderful 2026 ahead!

Contributed by Michelle Lau, Manager, IFLA Regional Office for Asia and Oceania.