March 2026 issue of IFLA Journal

IFLA Journal is an international journal publishing peer reviewed articles on library and information services and the social, political and economic issues that impact access to information through libraries.

The Journal publishes research, case studies and essays that reflect the broad spectrum of the profession internationally.

IFLA Journal Volume 52, No.1 (March 2026)

This special issue of IFLA Journal is dedicated to Indigenous Knowledge, foregrounding Indigenous authority, voice, and agency in libraries, archives, and museums. Emerging from the 2024 symposium in Mexico City, “Stewarding Indigenous Knowledge through ethics, law and the archive,” co-sponsored by IFLA’s Indigenous Matters Section and partners, the issue centers Indigenous expertise in reshaping professional practice. The contributions examine legal developments affecting traditional cultural expressions, collaborations between Indigenous communities and heritage institutions, Indigenous data governance, language revitalization, climate adaptation, and community-based library models. Together, they advance ethical stewardship grounded in consultation, co-curation, and respect for sovereignty. Guest editors: Jade Alburo, Sara R. Benson, Raj Kumar Bhardwaj, Collence Takaingenhamo Chisita, Mohit Garg, Melissa G. Ocepek, Melissa M. VandeBurgt, and Damien Webb bring deep expertise in Indigenous librarianship, copyright, cultural heritage law, and community-engaged scholarship, modeling the collaborative and cross-cultural leadership that defines this issue.

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IFLA Journal. March 2026 [Special Issue: Indigenous Knowledge]

This special issue of IFLA Journal is dedicated to Indigenous Knowledge, foregrounding Indigenous authority, voice, and agency in libraries, archives, and museums. Emerging from the 2024 symposium in Mexico City, “Stewarding Indigenous Knowledge through ethics, law and the archive,” co-sponsored...

Contents:

Editorial

Introduction: Stewarding Indigenous knowledge through ethics, law and the archive

Essay

(Re)connecting with Indigenous cultural expression(s): Emerging frameworks for empowering Indigenous voices, agency, and authority 5
Nancy E. Weiss

Articles

Protecting traditional cultural expressions: Law, Indigenous protocols, library practices 16
Ulia Gosart, Valmaine Toki and Susan Townzen

The silences and absences in Botswana’s archives: Cross-examining colonial legacy 30
Tshepho Mosweu

Influence of Indigenous data governance principles on Indigenous knowledge management: Lessons from the Southern African Intangible Cultural Heritage Project 38
Josiline Chigwada, Jacob Mapara, Patrick Ngulube and Tavhiringwa Chabvutagondo

Stewarding Indigenous language data: Case studies in CARE 48
Sandra Littletree, Nestor Guerrero and Miranda Belarde-Lewis

Exploring control of access to the Japadhola indigenous information 59
Gilbert Okello, Joyce Bukirwa and Elisam Magara

Sowing the future: The vision of community libraries at Amawtay Wasi University, Ecuador 73
Adriana Guandinango

Affective encounters with digital knowledge collections: Towards supporting Indigenous wellbeing 78
Ailsa Lipscombe and Chern Li Liew

Beyond acknowledgement: Indigenous-centered projects on reclamation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 88
Bethany G. Anderson, Krystiana L. Krupa, Elizabeth A. Sutton and Oliver G Tapaha

Bibliometric analysis of Indigenous knowledge systems and climate change adaptation literature, 1993–2023 102
Reniko Gondo

Indigenous knowledge for climate change adaptation among Tanzanian smallholder farmers: A systematic review 116
Martinus E. Sospeter, Wulystan Pius Mtega and Andrew Malekani

Abstracts 126

IFLA Journal is an international journal publishing peer reviewed articles on library and information services and the social, political and economic issues that impact access to information through libraries. The Journal publishes research, case studies and essays that reflect the broad spectrum of the profession internationally. IFLA Journal is a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

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