IFLA: An Introduction The trusted global voice of the library and

information profession

• The leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users

• Independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation with over 1400 members in nearly 150 countries

IFLA is

Freedom Equity Inclusion

Global Arena

President’s Programme Strategy

IFLA Professional Structure

Key InitiativesAdvocacy Partners

Policy

Library community

• Guided by our Strategic Plan 2010-2015 and Key Initiatives, we work to improve access to information and cultural heritage for the global community

• Our key initiatives include:– Access to digital content

– International leadership

– Outreach

– Cultural heritage

Strategy and Key Initiatives

• IFLA’s Strategic Programmes further our advocacy and development goals:

• Copyright and Other Legal Matters (CLM)– Access to digital content, copyright limitations and

exceptions

• Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE)

• Action for Development through Libraries (ALP)– Capacity building for library and association development

• Preservation and conservation (PAC)

• Bibliographic standards (UNIMARC)

Core Activity Strategic Programmes

• IFLA’s status as the global organisation for library and information services ensures that our voice is represented through relations with UNESCO, ECOSOC, WIPO and ISO

• We offer consultative status to NGOs in related fields including the International Publishers Association (IPA)

• We are members of the International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS), which co-ordinates action in situations when cultural property is at risk

Cooperation

• Advocate:

– Within the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) for an endorsed instrument that provides legal certainty for exceptions and limitations for libraries and archives in all countries

– For libraries and information services at the Internet Governance Forum, and through the World Summit on the Information Society processes

• Promote adoption of:

– IFLA Principles on eLending

– IFLA’s Statement on Open Access

– Standards and guidelines for professional practice

• Promote and embed:– IFLA Trend Report on issues affecting access to information

Access to digital content Initiative

What is it?

Riding the Waves or Caught in the Tide? Insights from the IFLA Trend Report

http://trends.ifla.org/summary-report

“It’s at these points of impact between trends that there are

profound questions for libraries operating in the new information

environment”

• Capacity building to raise the voice of the profession nationally, regionally and internationally

• Activities:– Building Strong Library Associations programme

• Building the capacity of national and regional library associations to unite around a common platform for advocacy and development of the profession

– IFLA International Leaders Programme• Developing leaders who can effectively represent the

wider library sector in the international arena, and within IFLA

International leadership Initiative

• Strategic advocacy at major events and meetings

• Utilise local expertise and networks

• Capitalise on the changing dynamics of Civil Society

• Engage through ECOSOC with the UN Post-2015 Development Framework to ensure ‘access to information’ and ‘culture’ are included in the global Sustainable Development Goals – and engage with our sector by..

Outreach for advocacy and development of the profession Initiative

• IFLA encourages all library associations and institutions to:– Sign on to the Lyon Declaration on Access to

Information and Development (2014)

– Demonstrate the contribution that access to information and libraries make to achieving development as outlined in the IFLA Statement on Libraries and Development (2013) 

– Advocate for, and deliver, library and information services relevant to a library’s local environment that help people to be educated, informed and included

Libraries and development

• “Culture is a basic need, a community thrives through its cultural heritage, it dies without it”

• Work with Strategic Partners to develop a Risk Register for cultural heritage collections and information resources in areas at risk from natural disasters or conflict; and priorities for preservation.

Cultural heritage disaster reconstruction programme Initiative