IFLA National Libraries Section organises webinar on Legal Deposit: A Strategic Tool for Building Tomorrow’s Heritage

On 20 November 2024, the National Library Singapore proudly hosted the online webinar, “Legal Deposit: A Strategic Tool for Building Tomorrow’s Heritage”, as one of the organising members on behalf of the IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) National Libraries Section. The event attracted 265 participants out of 400 over registrants from around the world, including Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Oceania, and Asia, who gathered for insightful discussions on the future of Legal Deposit collections in an increasingly digital age.

The webinar was hosted by Alicia Yeo, Director of the National Library Singapore, and opened with a keynote address from Leslie Weir, President-elect of IFLA and Librarian and Archivist of Canada. The first segment, “Inclusive Legal Deposit & Engagement,” featured six speakers from Australia, Latvia, Sarawak (Malaysia), Scotland (UK), and New Zealand. They shared innovative approaches to public education about Legal Deposit, principles for collecting in today’s dynamic publishing landscape, and efforts to include underrepresented voices.

The second segment, “The (Long) Road to e-Legal Deposit,” explored the challenges and successes of collecting digital publications across diverse formats. Presenters from the National Libraries of Estonia, the Czech Republic, Germany, and the British Library (UK) provided valuable insights into their experiences with getting e-Legal Deposit legislated in their governments and cybersecurity for legal deposit repositories.

In addition to the informative presentations, two interactive discussion rounds allowed participants to delve deeper into the topics and exchange ideas. The event also sought feedback on the upcoming revision of the IFLA Legal Deposit Legislation Guidelines to better address the needs of digital formats.

The 2.5-hour session was both engaging and thought-provoking, receiving positive feedback for its organization and the depth of information shared. Participants left with new perspectives on the evolving role of Legal Deposit in preserving the world’s digital heritage. For those who missed it, the webinar presentation materials are below.

Part 1: Inclusive Legal Deposit and Engagement