Newsroom

The Right Rights for Libraries? Discover library laws on IFLA Library Map of the World 

Did you know that you can find information about different library policies and laws from around the world on IFLA's Library Map of the World?  

Libraries for Human Rights: an Interview with Ellen Tise, Chair, IFLA Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression

With the December edition of IFLA's newsletter focusing on rights, this month's interview brings together IFLA Secretary General with Ellen Tise, IFLA President 2009-2011, and currently chair of IFLA's Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression. He asked her about her perspective on how libraries fit in with wider work on human rights. 

Job opportunity: Knowledge Rights 21 – Brussels Representative

The Brussels Lead will make a vital contribution to the Programme’s success at the European level, developing the networks, contact and understanding necessary within the EU institutions to catalyse change. Closing date: 15 December 2021.

A stronger voice for libraries in the regions, a stronger voice for regions in IFLA

A key innovation in IFLA’s Governance Reform was the creation of our new Regional Division Committees and Council, supporting outreach and advocacy, and ensuring a strong voice for the regions in the Federation as a whole. Find out more about the work they are undertaking, and how you can follow their work.

Getting Ready for Human Rights Day 2021

10 December 2021 will mark international Human Rights Day – the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN General Assembly in 1948. This year’s theme has a strong focus on equality in advancing human rights, a topic closely aligned with libraries’ own mission to build opportunities for all.

Now Available: IFLA Asia and Oceania Regional Quarterly News – November 2021 Issue

We are proud to present the latest IFLA Asia & Oceania Regional Newsletter (Nov 2021).

UNESCO Agrees Open Science Recommendation – Implications for Libraries

During its General Conference, held on 9-24 November, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) agreed a new Recommendation on Open Science. IFLA has welcomed this work, and encourages librarians, libraries and associations to draw on this in their own practice and advocacy.

Australian Library Peak Bodies Launch Stretch Targets for Sustainability

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) International Relations Advisory Committee (IRAC) has published 10 stretch targets for the library and information sector in Australia, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Who Reads Malay Manuscripts? The Impact of the Bollinger Digitisation Project at the British Library

Through the generous support of William and Judith Bollinger, over a two-year period from 2013 to 2015, the British Library was able to digitise its complete collection of Malay manuscripts in a collaborative project with the National Library Board of Singapore.

Iran Libraries Book Courier Service: A Front Door Book Delivery Service

With the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), restrictions have been imposed on the operation of public libraries in Iran, although other new forms of service have emerged.

New Zealand Law Librarians Association Virtual Conference 2021: Stronger Together

This year, the New Zealand Law Librarians Association conference went digital. In a time of uncertainty and cancelled events, the conference committee at the outset decided on hosting a virtual conference.

The Director General of the National Library of Malaysia

It is a great honour to have the opportunity to introduce myself in this newsletter.

Message from the Regional Office

Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Mr Winston Roberts as the newly elected Chair of the IFLA Regional Division Committee for Asia and Oceania as well as the 19 Members of the Committee.

Message from Chair of IFLA Regional Division Committee for Asia and Oceania

Our region of Asia-Oceania has a stronger mandate and a new Committee. The Pacific (North and South) is more strongly represented than before. The Regional Council and all the Regional Division Committees are actively preparing their Action Plans which will fit in with IFLA’s overall Action Plan. You will hear more from us in the coming months and years!

The UNESCO General Conference: recognising libraries as partners in culture, education, and access to information

UNESCO’s 41st General Conference has ended. This biennial meeting brings together representatives of the Member States, alongside observers from non-Member States, intergovernmental organisations, and non-governmental organisations, to determine the policies and the main lines of work of UNESCO.

Exploratory meeting : formation of an IFLA Special Interest Group on Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence applications are increasingly a part of the library space: in chatbots, embedded in library systems, used for automated indexing and classification, and integral to robots.  The IT Section in the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions is sponsoring the formation of a Special Interest Group in AI (AI SIG).

Public Libraries: Responding in Times of Crisis

Earlier this month more than 100 delegates joined Dr Sadie-Jane Nunis (Singapore Institute of Management), Vickery Bowles (Toronto Public Library) and Prof R. David Lankes (University of Texas at Austin’s School of Information) for a webinar facilitated by Erik Boekesteijn (National Library of the Netherlands)

Bringing the Voice of Libraries to COP26

IFLA was proud to join the Climate Heritage Network in a series of events that brought the voices of cultural heritage and cultural institutions to the table – highlighting the sector’s critical role in powering climate action.

Report IFLA-IPU Conference Parliamentary library & research services: towards an agenda for the next decade

On 6-8 October, 2021, an exciting collaboration between the IFLA Library and Research Services for Parliaments Section and the Inter-Parliamentary Union led to a successful virtual event, addressing some key issues on the agenda of parliamentary library & research services in the next decade.

SOCRS November meeting