Animated image of a person with their shadow wearing a cape. Text: IFLA newsletter

The message below accompanies the March 2025 edition of the IFLA Newsletter.

“Leadership is the capacity to translate a vision into reality.”
— Warren Bennis

Welcome to the March 2025 edition of the IFLA Newsletter!

Have you ever considered building a leadership program within your library or organisation? Developing such a programme can be a powerful way to foster a culture of empowerment and inclusive growth, helping all individuals build the skills to lead, manage, and collaborate. In doing so, libraries can actively support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5.5, which calls for full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership for everyone—especially women—across all levels of decision-making.

IFLA’s recently released report, Learning to Lead: A Scan of Global Library Field Practice, serves as an invaluable resource to guide you through this process.

Learning to Lead is a first-of-its-kind IFLA publication; it provides a comprehensive overview of leadership programs run by library associations, libraries, museums, archives, and similar organisations.

The report, based on a survey of over 60 programs worldwide, highlights their objectives, methods, impact, and common features, while also identifying key challenges faced by these programs and showcasing successful initiatives that have enhanced leadership skills within the library community. It aims to assist libraries and associations in decision-making regarding leadership programs and support the development of global leadership within the profession. The report was prepared by the Arab Federation of Libraries and Information (AFLI) team.

Complementing the Learning to Lead report, IFLA published So you want to organise a library leadership programme…, a practical guide that draws on the findings from the AFLI report. This guide offers a set of questions for those looking to establish their own leadership programs, helping them to create initiatives that foster empowerment, growth, and collaboration among staff.

IFLA plays a key role in promoting global leadership within librarianship, advocating for libraries, and inspiring librarians worldwide to innovate and mentor the profession towards a sustainable, inclusive future.

This month’s IFLA Newsletter centres on the theme of cultivating leadership, while also bringing you a wide range of updates from across IFLA. Inside, you’ll find key organisational news, including the latest on IFLA’s elections and preparations for WLIC 2025 in Astana. We also share highlights from our professional volunteers and regional activities, followed by a round-up of open calls and upcoming events—both virtual and in person. So I encourage you to take a moment to explore, get involved, and help shape the future of our global library field!

Happy reading! 🦸‍♀️

Heba Mohamed Ismail

Member, IFLA Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning (CPDWL) Section
Vice President, Arab Federation for Libraries and Information (AFLI)