Newsroom

Open in order to... ensure universal and equitable access to information

Once again, IFLA wishes to join the celebration for open access week. This year, we have gathered materials of some of the presentations about open access that took place during the World Library and Information Congress in August 2017 in Wroclaw, Poland. By approaching the topic from many different angles, they are an example of how libraries support open access and provide input on how to continue doing so.

Thank you from the IFLA Secretary General

Want to know how many votes IFLA Global Vision received? Watch here!

IFLA Statement on UNESCO: Education, Science and Culture: Shared Objectives Need Shared Efforts

On 16 October 2017, following the announcement by the governments of the United States and Israel of their intention to leave UNESCO, IFLA released a statement calling for rapid progress towards a positive solution.

International Solutions for Safeguarding Documentary Heritage in Latin America

The importance of preserving cultural heritage is global. All cultures and groups create works that tell the story of their past and present in ways which can both inspire and inform future generations. By acting globally – bringing together experts from different countries and with different specialisations – IFLA can help national actors achieve their goals more effectively. A conference co-organised by IFLA's Rare Books and Special Collections Section contributed to make this happen.

World Mental Health Day 2017: Libraries Playing their Part

Mental health difficulties affect, or will affect, a major share of the population. While they may not be visible to the eye, their effects can be devastating. In order to promote well-being for all, societies need to support those suffering from mental health difficulties. Libraries can play a significant role in achieving this.

Reform Copyright, Drive Development: IFLA Speaks for Libraries in Geneva

IFLA attended the 49th General Assemblies of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), from 2-5 October 2017, taking the opportunity to underline the need for action to help libraries guarantee meaningful access to information for their users.

IFLA Award short films are available for library events

Getting It Right: At Second Marrakesh Assembly, IFLA Launches Guide to Implementing the Treaty in Europe

Following agreement in the European Union on legislation to implement the Marrakesh Treaty, Member States now have a year to comply. By 11 October 2018, all 28 countries need to give people who are blind, have visual impairments or other print disabilities, as well as the institutions that serve them, the possibility to make and share accessible format copies of books. A new Guide makes recommendations on how best to do this.

IASL / IFLA Joint Committee

IFLA celebrates its 90th birthday

It was a weekend of celebrations here at IFLA as we reached our 90th birthday!

IFLA represents libraries at the World Intellectual Property Organisation's Forty-Ninth General Assembly

From the 2nd to the 7th October, IFLA attends the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s (WIPO) Fifty-Seventh General Assembly at its headquarters, in Geneva. Libraries have been following the work at WIPO for many years, especially at the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related rights (SCCR), whose agenda currently focuses, among other topics, on exceptions and limitations for libraries and archives.

BREAKING NEWS! Global Vision online voting extended until 16 October

Have your say!

International Day for Universal Access to Information 2017: A Day to Celebrate the Essential Work of Libraries

Help Libraries Rebuild, Help Communities Recover

A statement by Gerald Leitner, IFLA Secretary General, on the recent disasters in the Caribbean region.

Milnerton Satellite Meeting Papers Now Published!

Services for People with Disabilities in Libraries: Survey

IFLA and the Section on Library Services to People with Special Needs (LSN) have been asked to participate in an important United Nations project on serving people with disabilities, in the context of delivering the Sustainable Development Goals. Libraries can help IFLA/LSN participate in this project by providing a response to the survey below, and so show the unique value of libraries.

Libraries Central to Global Efforts to Save Heritage from Destruction: IFLA Secretary General Speaks at Blue Shield General Assembly

The preservation of cultural heritage is a core public interest mission of libraries. Speaking at the General Assembly of the Blue Shield, Gerald Leitner, IFLA Secretary-General, underlined their contribution to saving the past for the sake of the future, and welcomed collaboration with governments and other cultural heritage actors in order to deliver this key objective.

Stronger, More Stable, More Inclusive: Libraries Around the World Help Build Peaceful Societies

While libraries may have a reputation as a place to come for peace and quiet, they can also be drivers of peace in the wider communities they serve. Around the world, they provide a welcoming space where all members of the community can come together, and offer services that build more equal, more participatory, and so stronger and more peaceful societies. On World Peace Day 2017, IFLA looks to highlight examples of how libraries contribute.

The Need for Libraries has Never Been Greater: IFLA Speaks at Major Information Literacy Conference

At a time of concern about the future of the Internet, there has never been a greater need both for information literacy, and for librarians as information literacy specialists. Speaking at the European Conference on Information Literacy, IFLA underlined the importance of what libraries are doing, and the need to ensure key decision-makers understand this.