Conferences

METLIB (and INTAMEL) annual conferences

• 2025, Toronto:  From Isolation to Social Connection:  Libraries & Wellbeing
• 2024, Barcelona Democracy and Public Libraries October ’24 – IFLA . Documentation Download
• 2023, Buenos Aires:  Participatory, inclusive and sustainable libraires for the future.
• 2022, Oslo:  Fostering Resilient Cities: How can public libraries support communities through challenging times and crises?
• 2021, Regina (Canada):  Your staff team – evolving to welcome 2030
• 2019, Helsinki: Reshaping lives and libraries (May 8-10)
• 2018, Belgrade: Public libraries and community building (May 13-18)
• 2017, Montréal: Partnerships: creating a new vision for libraries (April 30 – May 5)
• 2016, Doha: Pearls in the desert: unleashing potential (April 23-28)
• 2015, Zurich: Reaching Limits – Crossing Borders (May 3-8) [programme and presentations ; brochure]
• 2014, Auckland: Intrepid Journeys – Libraries at the edge of discovery (May 11-16) Twitter: @MetLib14
• 2013, Amsterdam: Without Borders: The Integrated Library (May 5-10) [programme and presentations]
• 2012, Barcelona: The never-ending story: adapting public libraries in an ever-changing society   (May 20-25) [report and evaluation survey]
• 2011, New York City: The Metropolitan Library: A Diverse Community
• 2010, Zagreb: Enduring Values and Excellence (May 16-21) [report and photo gallery]
• 2009, Brisbane: Embracing the Future (May 10-15)
• 2008, Prague: Libraries for everybody seeking to understand the world and themselves (June 1-6)
• 2007, Seattle: The Changing Face of Metropolitan Libraries: Inventing the future, but anchored in the past (May 6-11)
• 2006, Paris: The Added Value of Public Libraries in the World of Information
• 2005, Riga: Libraries and Lifelong Learning: Inspiring Users and Staff (September 11-16)
• 2004, Singapore: Library as a Fusion Space – Possibilities and Opportunities (September 26 – October 1) [programme]
• 2003, Rotterdam: Reinventing Metropolitan Libraries (September 21-26) [programme and presentations; report by Aline Girard-Billon]
• 2002, Stockholm: Changing & Learning (September 1-8) [presentations; report by Aline Girard-Billon]
• 2000, St. Louis: Public Libraries in a Global Society (September 17-22) [report; report by Aline Girard-Billon]
• 1999, Zurich: Global Issues – Local Solutions (September 19-24)
• 1998, Budapest: Relationship of Eastern Central Europe to INTAMEL / The Impact of Socio-economic Changes in Eastern Central Europe on Librarianship [report]
• 1997, Perth: Library, Culture and Technology
• 1996, Copenhagen: City Libraries in a Social Context
• 1995, The Hague: A Library as a distinguished department store for everyone [report]
• 1994, Glasgow/Newcastle upon Tyne: Partnership and Co-operation
• 1993, Las Vegas/Los Angeles: Library Architecture
• 1992, Toronto: Planning our Information Future: Public Libraries in the 1990s
• 1991, Toulouse: Social Role of Libraries in an Urban Context (ageing population, high unemployment rate, lots of immigrants)
• 1990, Hannover/Hamburg
• 1989, London/Birmingham
• 1988, New York/Philadelphia
• 1987, Paris: L’image à Paris
• 1986, Rotterdam: Automation and Public Libraries: Developments and Future
• 1985, Cleveland
• 1984, Gothenburg: Library Service to special groups
• 1983, Berlin (July)
• 1982, Mexico City
• 1981, Budapest (August 24-29)
• 1980, Glasgow/Edinburgh
• 1979, Vienna
• 1978, Toronto
• 1977, The Hague
• 1976, Paris
• 1975, Lagos
• 1974, Hamburg
• 1973, Delhi/Kolkata
• 1972, Milan/Florence/Rome (May)
• 1971, Baltimore
• 1970, Tokyo 
• 1969, Gothenburg (April)
• 1968, Liverpool (study tour March 23 – April 4)

​For a history of INTAMEL/METLIB conferences, read A Personal View on 25 Years of INTAMEL History, presented by Christian Relly at the 2008 MetLib Conference in Prague

IFLA WLIC Programmes

• 2019, Athens Enter the third dimension: measuring impact in metropolitan libraries
• 2018, Kuala Lumpur: Sanctuaries in the city: the public library as a safe space
• 2017, Wrocław:
  • Public libraries as place makers in today’s cities: urban development, resiliency and social equity
  • Check me out! Human libraries and unique circulating collections, from art to technology petting zoos (with Acquisition and Collection Development and Public Libraries)
• 2016, Columbus:
  • Academic, metropolitan and school libraries: cooperation and sharing (with Academic and Research Libraries and School Libraries)
  • Regenerating the public library? Rebranding, retail and Dewey-less versus traditional models

• 2015, Cape Town: “No-one left behind”. Reading, information, digital, media literacies and curation for inclusion in large urban areas
• 2014, Lyon: Disrupting and colliding: New trends for access, privacy, learning, empowerment and technology
• 2013, Singapore: Exploring an e-book future (e-book lending models, copyright and other issues). World café
• 2012, Helsinki: Twinning physical learning spaces and new media initiatives – new ways to reach library customers
• 2011, San Juan:
  • How broadband makes cities and libraries intelligent [presentation by Barbara Clubb] 
  • Rethinking the role of public libraries (with Public Libraries)

• 2010, Gothenburg: Learning libraries, connected community. Powering an informed and involved community through user-driven library innovation (with Public Libraries)
• 2009, Milan: Framing the future for a new agenda for public libraries (with Public Libraries)
• 2008, Québec:
  • Renovating and renewing libraries: the wow factor (with Library Buildings and Equipment)
  • Advocacy in the political arena in support of public libraries and their services and programs (with Public Libraries)

• 2007, Durban: Libraries – crucial institutions in a complex society (with Management and Marketing)
• 2006, Seoul: Metropolitan libraries: Pools of innovation
• 2005, Oslo: Managing Metropolitan Library Networks
• 2004, Buenos Aires: Metropolitan libraries: engines for learning?
• 2003, Berlin: New futures: papers by directors of metropolitan library services
• 1994, Havana: Public Metropolitan Libraries and the Free Flow of Information: A Panel Discussion by Librarians
• 1993, Barcelona: The International Role of Metropolitan Public Libraries