From a Picture to a Dream Come True: My Journey to IFLA 2025

This post was contributed by one of the IFLA/ARL 2025 grant awardees, Masoumeh Pasbani, a Knowledge Management Specialist at Dana Knowledge Management Consulting Group who is also pursuing a Masters degree in Information Science and Knowledge Studies, at the University of Tabriz, Iran
Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masoumeh-pasbani-0a54a22a4

Sometimes, all it takes is a single picture to spark a dream.
A few years ago, I came across a photo of Dr. Parisa Pasyar attending the IFLA Congress in Malaysia. I didn’t know much about IFLA at the time, but something about that image stayed with me — a glimpse of inspiration, of global connection, of librarians and knowledge professionals from around the world coming together. That simple moment planted a seed in my mind — a dream that, years later, would take me all the way to Astana, Kazakhstan, to attend IFLA WLIC 2025 in person.

During my undergraduate studies, the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. Students were no longer allowed to complete their internships in person. However, with the guidance of my professor, Dr. Zardari, I was able to complete my first internship at the Library of the Faculty of Psychology, University of Tabriz, which later turned into a student assistant position. For my second internship, I joined a specialized organizational library, where I had the chance to learn from experienced librarians and gain real-world insights into the profession.
When I began my master’s program at Tarbiat Modares University, I started working at the Faculty of Management and Economics Library. Studying under Dr. Hassan-Zadeh and Dr. Navidi, both of whom specialize in knowledge management, opened a new path for me — one that connected my background in library science with the dynamic and evolving world of knowledge management. All of these experiences profoundly influenced my professional interests and motivated me to engage with global experts in this field.

Just a month before the Congress, unexpected events in my country made it uncertain whether I would be able to travel. For a moment, I feared that my long-awaited dream might not come true. But with determination and support, I finally made it to Kazakhstan — where that dream from years ago became reality.
I am deeply grateful and overjoyed to have been selected as one of the six recipients of the IFLA Academic and Research Libraries (ARL) Attendance Grant 2025, generously sponsored by SAGE. I submitted my application on the very last day of the deadline, and weeks later, a congratulatory message from a friend revealed that I had been chosen. This grant allowed me to attend my very first IFLA World Library and Information Congress, and I sincerely thank the ARL Section, its Chair, Mimi Calter, and all committee members for supporting early-career professionals like myself.

Attending IFLA WLIC 2025 was an inspiring and unforgettable experience. I took part in several engaging sessions, including Connecting African Libraries: Challenges and Opportunities, Global Pathways: Stories of Change in Academic and Research Libraries, and Knowledge Management for the Future. The latter session was particularly meaningful to me, as it closely aligned with my area of interest. It was there that I met Ms. Datova, whose insights on the future of knowledge management in libraries were especially inspiring.

I also attended several Knowledge Café sessions, where I had the chance to connect with librarians from around the world — from national libraries in Arab countries to academic libraries across various regions. Their innovative and creative initiatives to attract users to libraries deeply impressed me and expanded my view of what library engagement can look like in practice.

One of the most memorable encounters was meeting Eva Semertzaki by chance. We discussed our work in knowledge management and agreed to meet again at a Knowledge Café. That meeting allowed me to connect with several members of the Knowledge Management Section, including Maggie Farrell, Helen Chan, Albina Krymskaya, and Susmita Chakraborty.

Beyond the sessions, one of the most memorable aspects of the Congress was meeting remarkable people — including Mimi Calter, Jayshree Mamtora, and my fellow ARL grantees. Talking with passionate librarians and researchers from different countries reminded me of how collaboration and shared experiences can truly shape our professional growth.
Looking back, it’s incredible to see how everything began with a simple picture — and how every step along the way led me here. Attending IFLA 2025 was not just a professional milestone; it was the realization of a long-held dream that grew from curiosity, persistence, and hope.
I am deeply grateful to the IFLA Academic and Research Libraries Section and its generous sponsor SAGE for this opportunity. I sincerely hope that, in the future, more grants like this will be available so that early-career librarians and knowledge professionals can experience the joy and inspiration of attending the IFLA Congress in person.