Newsroom

RELINDIAL reflects on its decade of work

As of August 2025, the RELINDIAL SIG concludes its twelve years of activity. Its work in promoting dialogue between religions via libraries has been valued by the IFLA community.

LISDEV moves forward within SET

The Library and Information Studies Education in Developing Countries Special Interest Group (LISDEV SIG) of IFLA will be closing, with its work and activities now taken on by the IFLA Section on Education and Training (SET). This change strengthens SET’s efforts around LIS education in developing countries and will enhance the impact of ongoing initiatives.

Interested in contributing to Metadata Standards? Join one of IFLA's Review Groups as a Co-opted Member

Now Available: IFLA Asia and Oceania Regional Newsletter – September 2025

The third issue of 2025 of the IFLA Asia and Oceania Regional Division Newsletter includes editorials from the Chair of the Asia-Oceania Regional Division Committee, the Manager of the Regional Office for Asia and Oceania, and news from IFLA, the region and beyond.

Webinar on Leadership and Engagement of African Librarians and Archivists

On September 10, 2025, the President of IFLA, along with two members of the IFLA Management of Library Associations Section, spoke at a webinar in French organized by associations from Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Benin, and Gabon. Here is a report from the event written by IFLA MLAS Information Coordinator, Adama Kone, who organized the event. As a global organization, IFLA supports multilingualism and the engagement of libraries and institutions from different regions of the world. Therefore, IFLA MLAS is very proud to support these types of efforts.

Call for ENSULIB Newsletter Articles (For the December 2025 Issue)

Report from MLAS Open Session @ WLIC 2025: Successful Strategies for Library Advocacy and Financial Sustainability

Building on the MLAS news item published on August 20 summarizing MLAS activities at the World Library and Information Congress 2025, here is a more detailed report graciously written by Helen Voldner, President of the Norwegian Library Association and a member of the IFLA MLAS. 

QNL Celebrates Qatar’s Contribution to the IFLA Library Map of the World

Qatar National Library (QNL) organised and hosted a workshop at its premises, celebrating Qatar’s successful contribution to the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Library Map of the World, with discussions centred on measuring and demonstrating the impact of library services. Read more.

Honoring 200 Years of the Java War: Preserving Prince Diponegoro’s Legacy in the Digital Age through the National Library of Indonesia’s Commitment to SDG 11

In 2025, the National Library of Indonesia commemorated 200 years of the Java War with Martabat, a month-long program honoring Prince Diponegoro through exhibitions, publications, performances, and digital initiatives, including a global virtual showcase on Google Arts & Culture. Anchored in SDG 11 (heritage preservation), these efforts ensure Diponegoro’s legacy of dignity and resilience continues to inspire present and future generations.

Legal Deposit and Its Contribution to The Sustainable Development Goals

The National Library of Indonesia’s legal deposit system safeguards cultural memory while directly supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 11 (heritage preservation) and SDG 4 (quality education). By preserving published works and promoting initiatives like the “Best Book Selection,” NLI strengthens civilisation, education, and research for present and future generations

Implementation of Legal Deposit at the National Library of Republic of Indonesia

The National Library of Indonesia safeguards the nation’s cultural memory through legal deposit, requiring publishers and producers to submit printed and recorded works for long-term preservation, access, and copyright protection. Despite challenges in awareness, NLI promotes compliance through outreach and annual awards, ensuring Indonesia’s intellectual and cultural heritage is preserved for future generations.

Discover How Libraries and Archives Can Ride the Great Wave of AI at the NLB30 Keynotes

To mark its 30th anniversary, the National Library Board, Singapore, is hosting Open Book: The NLB30 Keynotes, featuring Josée Kirps (ICA President) and Leslie Weir (IFLA President) in a conversation on the opportunities and challenges of Generative AI for libraries and archives. The free webinar, moderated by Julia Chee of the National Archives of Singapore, will take place on 3 October 2025, exploring how libraries and archives can navigate the “Great Wave of AI.”

Bringing Indonesia’s Manuscript Heritage to the Global Stage

The National Library of Indonesia (NLI) preserves the nation’s ancient manuscripts, including UNESCO-recognized treasures like the Sang Hyang Siksa Kandang Karesian and Hamzah Fansuri’s writings, safeguarding Nusantara’s cultural and intellectual heritage. Through registration, conservation, and digitisation programs in collaboration with communities, NLI ensures these manuscripts remain accessible and protected for future generations.

The Power of a Library: How Jhuwani’s Lifeline Transformed a Village Across Generations

The Jhuwani Community Library in Chitwan, Nepal, has transformed the village across generations. Born from tragedy over twenty years ago, it has become more than a library, serving as a hub for education, healthcare, women’s economic programs, and social connection. Serving over 500,000 people, it empowers children, supports elders, and fosters community leadership. Stories like Anil’s, a youth who grew up in the library and now leads its management, show how Jhuwani’s library bridges generations and builds a resilient, caring community.

Fostering Information Literacy and Lifelong Learning: The Role of Dr. S. R. Lasker Library at East West University

Dr. S. R. Lasker Library at East West University (EWU) has implemented an ongoing Information Literacy (IL) program since 2013, equipping students and faculty with critical skills to locate, evaluate, and effectively use information in both physical and digital formats. By fostering research capabilities, digital literacy, and lifelong learning, the library empowers its academic community to navigate information overload, assess sources critically, and make informed decisions, establishing itself as a hub for academic growth and scholarly excellence.

Symposium on “Libraries Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Communities through Digital Literacy”

The IILM University Library symposium on “Libraries Bridging the Digital Divide” (11 July 2025) brought together librarians, educators, policymakers, and community leaders to explore digital literacy, inclusion, and the transformative role of libraries as community hubs. Discussions highlighted sustainable digital literacy initiatives, multilingual access, AI-driven tools, and ethical technology use, emphasizing libraries’ critical role in bridging educational and digital gaps while fostering accessibility, empowerment, and lifelong learning.

Learning Beyond Borders: Reflections from Nepal’s Participation in ICLIS25 in Sri Lanka

Nepal’s participation in ICLIS25 in Sri Lanka offered library professionals and policymakers an invaluable opportunity to learn from Sri Lanka’s integrated and well-resourced library ecosystem, which emphasizes equitable access, digitization, heritage preservation, and social investment in literacy. The experience highlighted models for sustainable funding, professional development, and regional collaboration, inspiring Nepal to strengthen its libraries, expand digital connectivity, and promote equitable access to information as a foundation for a knowledge-based society.

The Chula-Global Library Visiting Fellowship Program: A Contribution to AI Literacy in Southeast Asia

The Chula-Global Library Visiting Fellowship at Chulalongkorn University (June–July 2025) enabled the author to explore AI literacy in Southeast Asian academic libraries by designing and delivering workshops informed by surveys and interviews with students, lecturers, researchers, and library staff. Beyond promoting technical skills, the fellowship offered deep personal and professional insights into iterative project development, culturally responsive teaching, relationship-building, and the challenges of language and adaptation, highlighting ways such programs can be enhanced for future collaborative and locally relevant initiatives.

Southeast Asia’s Library Community Unites at CONSAL XIX in Kuala Lumpur

CONSAL XIX, held in Kuala Lumpur from 16–19 June 2025, brought together around 1,200 librarians from Southeast Asia for the first in-person gathering in seven years, focusing on the theme Inclusive Knowledge: Bridging Divides, Empowering All through workshops, presentations, and networking activities. The Congress highlighted libraries’ roles in democracy, social inclusion, and regional collaboration, celebrated professional achievements, and strengthened Southeast Asia’s collective alignment with IFLA’s global vision, while officially passing the hosting of CONSAL XX to Singapore in 2028.

Reflections on the World Library and Information Congress by First-Time Attendee

The author reflects on her first-time attendance at the 2025 World Library and Information Congress in Astana, Kazakhstan, made possible by the IFLA Emerging Leader Grant, highlighting experiences such as IFLA Camp, Regional Committee meetings, and presenting on Māori-informed leadership. Emphasis is on the Congress’s focus on collaboration, inclusivity, and global knowledge exchange, noting how it strengthened her professional skills, networks, and commitment to community-centered library practice.