Past Presidents
IFLA’s President leads the Federation and represents IFLA and the world’s library and information profession internationally. The President chairs the Governing Board and presides over General Assembly meetings which are held at the annual IFLA Congress.
Since 2003, IFLA Presidents have served 2-year terms, following two years as President-elect.
Barbara Lison, 2021-2023
- Theme: Libraries building a sustainable future
- Acceptance Speech
![Barbara Lison](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/barbara-lison_200x250.jpg)
Christine Mackenzie, 2019-2021
- Theme: Let’s work together
- Acceptance Speech
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/christine-mackenzie.jpg)
Glòria Pérez-Salmerón, 2017-2019
- Theme: Libraries: Motors of change
- Acceptance Speech
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/gloria-perez-salmeron.jpg)
Donna Scheeder, 2015-2017
- Theme: Libraries: A Call to Action
- Acceptance Speech
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/donna-scheeder.jpg)
Sinikka Sipilä, (2013-2015)
- Theme: Strong Libraries, Strong Societies
- Acceptance Speech
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/sinikka-sipilla.jpg)
Ingrid Parent, 2011-2013
- Theme: Libraries: a force for change
- Acceptance Speech
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/ingrid-parent.jpg)
Ellen Tise, 2009-2011
- Theme: Libraries Driving Access to Knowledge (A2K)
- Acceptance Speech
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/ellen-tise.jpg)
Claudia Lux, 2007-2009
- Theme: Libraries on the Agenda
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/claudia-lux.jpg)
Alex Byrne, 2005-2007
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/alex-byrne.jpg)
Kay Raseroka, 2003-2005
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/kay-raseroka.png)
Christine Deschamps, 1997-2003
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/christine-deschamps.jpg)
Robert Wedgeworth, 1991-1997
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/wedgeworth.gif)
Hans-Peter Geh, 1985-1991
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/geh.gif)
Else Granheim, 1979-1985
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/granheim.gif)
Preben Kirkegaard, 1974-1979
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/kirkegaard.gif)
Herman Liebaers, 1969-1974
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/h-liebaers.jpg)
Sir Frank Francis, 1963-1969
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/francis.png)
Gustav Hofmann, 1958-1963
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/hofmann.png)
Pierre Bourgeois, 1951-1958
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/bourgeois.gif)
Wilhelm Munthe, 1947-1951
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/munthe.gif)
Marcel Godet, 1936-1947
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/godet.gif)
William Warner Bishop, 1931-1936
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/bishop.gif)
Isak G.A. Collijn, 1927-1931
![](https://cdn.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/collijn.gif)