For its next newsletter, the IFLA Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section will be sharing contributions from the global library community that reflect the Section’s programs at WLIC2025. To this end the Section invites articles and stories supporting the updating of the Multicultural Communities: Guidelines for Library Services (3rd Edition, 2009) or about how libraries support wellness for their library workers and their communities. The goals are 1) to ensure that these guidelines remain inclusive, sustainable, and aligned with contemporary best practices and 2) to share ideas for how libraries support physical and/or mental wellbeing.
Sample topics may include, but are not limited to:

  • Programs or activities combining library services for multicultural populations and active work with SDG’s and/or sustainability.
  • Examples of smart usage of language technology including AI to support multilingual users.
  • Examples of ethical considerations regarding minorities, indigenous or other marginalised groups when applying AI /digital services.
  • Activities supporting multicultural population’s aim to retake or re-connect to cultural heritage and heritage languages.
  • Social inclusion /social justice in the context of a multicultural population.
  • Examples of the process of creating Information Needs Analysis (INA)  (Multicultural library services shall be based on the needs of the target community by conducting analysis and assessment utilising any applicable tools and mechanisms.)
  • Library administrative approaches to encourage self-care of library workers.
  • Library infrastructure that supports the physical and/or mental health of library workers.
  • Personal narratives or stories regarding self-care, physical or mental health care.
  • Library programs and partnerships to support physical and/or mental health within their communities.
We welcome and encourage contributions in languages spoken or read by volunteers in our section (currently English, French, Swedish, Persian, Spanish, and Arabic). If your contribution is not in English, we request you provide a summary (no more than 100 words) in English or that you contact our newsletter editor directly for help with translation. We cannot guarantee the ability to publish articles in languages other than those mentioned since we are relying on volunteers.
The ideal length of stories should be 400-600 words with accompanying images (300dpi, JPEG format). By submitting articles and images, you understand they may be used internally and externally in print and digital media formats, including print publications, websites, and social media, under a CC-BY 4.0 license. You understand that images/articles on websites can be viewed worldwide, according to local legislation. By submitting articles and images, you also confirm you have secured permission to use any photos or other third-party content you may have included in your work.
Please send your submissions to our newsletter editor [email: [email protected]] by Tuesday, 2025-July-15, using the subject line “MCULTP Newsletter submission”.