Newsroom

RSCVD changes its name

Started in 2020 as Resource Sharing during COVID-19 and beyond (RSCVD), the initiative is now known as Resource Sharing Collaborative and Voluntary Document Delivery (RSCVD).

Call for Co-opted members: IFLA Professional Units

The Professional Council of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) invites expressions of interest from those seeking to serve as co-opted members on a Professional Unit Committee (Section or Special Interest Group) for the term 2023-2027.

WLIC 2023 Braindate, IFLA Networks, and Accessibility Metadata

What do the three have in common? At WLIC in Rotterdam, during an impromptu meeting facilitated by Braindate, a group of WLIC attendees came together to discuss their shared interest in accessibility metadata. Accessibility metadata is information recorded about the accessibility features and hazards that are important for users with disabilities or special needs. This metadata allows a user to know how accessible a resource is before they borrow, download, or buy a resource. 

Call for papers: IFLA Journal Special Issue on Research Trends

IFLA Journal and the IFLA Academic and Research Libraries Section are pleased to announce a call for papers for a special issue focusing on current trends in academic and research libraries. The issue will cover research trends ranging from scholarly communication initiatives to artificial intelligence to research impact and many others. Submission Deadline: 30 December 2023

CPDWL Podcasts: Learn, Connect and Explore the World of Librarianship

The IFLA Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning (CPDWL) Section proudly features a unique initiative by Dr. Ray Pun,  recent CPDWL Standing Committee member and current supporter of CPDWL, that has been connecting with librarians globally since 2019 - the CPDWL Podcast series.

Libraries' Role in Advancing Digital Equity in Africa: Collaborative Efforts at ITU Regional Development Forum for Africa 2023

IFLA was represented at the 2023 International Telecommunications Union Regional Development Forum for Africa, engaging with regulators, businesses, academics and civil society partners to make the case for libraries to be integrated into wider digital inclusion plans, and so realise their potential to become community innovation and co-creation hubs.

IFLA and Libraries Featured in COP28 Action for Climate Empowerment Activity Report

The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) will be hosted by the United Arab Emirates in Dubai this December. During the conference, the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will meet to discuss progress towards implementing the Convention and the Paris Agreement.

Call for newsletter articles – Highlights from WLIC 2023 and Multicultural Library Services worldwide

For our next newsletter, the IFLA Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section invites the library community to contribute articles within the scope of multicultural library services as well as highlights from participants’ experiences at WLIC 2023. 

Evolutions in public access - zero draft of the Dynamic Coalition on Public Access in Libraries report

As part of our engagement at the UN Internet Governance Forum, we are happy to release a zero draft of the report of the Dynamic Coalition on Public Access in Libraries' report for 2023. 20 years on from the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Plan of Action, which highlighted the role of public access at the global level, it looks at how this has evolved over time. 

The Future of Openness: IFLA at the Creative Commons Global Summit and what it means for libraries

FLA was excited to attend and contribute to Creative Commons’s conversation on the future of openness. The open movement provides opportunities for libraries to engage with and serve their users, as well as reach new users. Read on for some key take-aways from the programme, and what they may mean for library advocacy going forward.

IFLA ARL Section's "Inclusiveness through Openness" conference proceedings now available!

All videos and presentation slides from the IFLA Academic & Research Libraries Section (ARL) Satellite conference during IFLA WLIC 2023 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands are now available.

Highlights from the IFLA Governing Board meeting, 5 October 2023

IFLA’s new Governing Board 2023-25 met for the first time the day after the closing of the World Library and Information Congress, on 25 August 2023, at the Rotterdam Ahoy Conference Centre, The Netherlands.

Rio named as World Book Capital 2025

IFLA is happy to congratulate Rio de Janeiro on being awarded the title of World Book Capital City 2025, following a decision of the Director General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay. We look forward to working with Brazilian colleagues in order to ensure this highlights and strengthens libraries.

Digital governance for inclusion: libraries at ICEGOV 2023

While digital technologies offer huge possibilities to support sustainable development, realising this potential requires action at all levels, from government to the grassroots. Libraries have a key role to play in this digital governance framework, as was underlined at the ICEGOV 2023 conference in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Regional library fields: what does the data say?

IFLA has released a data-based analysis of library fields at the regional level around the world. Based on the data submitted to the Library Map of the World, this offers initial high-level insights in order to start conversations. Above all, it represents a call for ongoing work to increase and improve available data.

Just published: New edition of UNIMARC/B format manual

A new edition of the UNIMARC/B format is published.

REMINDER: IFLA ARL Webinar: “Open science policies and best practices”, 11 October 2023

The IFLA Academic & Research Libraries (ARL) Section is proud to remind that our next Webinar Series iteration, will take place on 11 October and is titled Open science policies and best practices in academic and research libraries.

DDRS Open Session at WLIC 2023: CDL 360: Controlled Digital Lending from Varying Perspectives

In the spirit of Erasmus, who looked to the past as an inspiration for the future, the IFLA Document Delivery and Resource Sharing Section (DDRS) hosted a lively and informative Open Session about Controlled Digital Lending (or CDL).

Invitation to host IFLA WLIC 2024 in Dubai withdrawn

IFLA has been informed of the decision to withdraw the invitation to hold the 2024 World Library and Information Congress in Dubai.

IFLA GenLoc Recording Available: 2023 Satellite Meeting, Leuven, Belgium