It was with a heavy heart that IFLA heard the news of the fire that has damaged the Jagger Library at the University of Cape Town, along with other areas of the University and city, this past Sunday.

Our thoughts and best wishes are with the library’s staff and patrons, as well as the entire UCT community and the whole of the South African library and information profession, during what is surely an incredibly distressing time.

Although the loss of the library’s Reading Room and damage to collections is devastating, it was a relief to hear that more widespread damage to the library’s facilities and collections was prevented. We commend the University of Cape Town Libraries’ disaster preparedness measures and the safety features that were in place which halted the fire’s spread.

The international library field is a global network, and as such, we support one another through challenging times. IFLA stands by the University of Cape Town Libraries as they begin to look towards healing and recovery.

Gerald Leitner
Secretary General
The Hague, Netherlands
20 April 2021

‘National policy and support actions for research data skills - impact and experiences’ is a joint FAIRsFAIR and OpenAIRE workshop that will bring together representatives from different national platforms, projects and organizations active in skills development and policy for Research Data Management (RDM) and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) data.

Join this LIBSENSE community call, hosted by EIFL, and discuss lessons learnt from designing and conducting virtual open access and Open Science training and community building events in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Digital Curation Centre in collaboration with Jisc and UKRI will host the 17th Research Data Alliance (RDA) Plenary Meeting, ‘Opening data for global challenges’. Themes include global challenges, global mechanisms for data reuse, and global cooperation to achieve sustainable solutions with benefits for all. 

The plenary will highlight several research use cases around global collaboration to address grand challenges: 

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Closely aligned to IFLA Key Initiative 2.4 “Provide tools and infrastructure that support the work of libraries", IFLA's Library Publishing Special Interest Group (IFLA LibPub SIG) is focused on an identified trend which has emerged over the past decade: libraries taking on a visible role along the publishing continuum. This concerns not only scholarly materials by academic libraries (articles, reports, books, data), but also community content (stories, local histories, self-publishing support).

The IFLA LibPub SIG, sponsored by the IFLA Standing Committee on Acquisition and Collection Development, formally came into being in 2018. In the 2-year period 2019-2021, IFLA LibPub has already launched a number of ambitious programmes and activities, creating a lively and comprehensive community of IFLA participants engaged in the library publishing landscape.

 

 

  Global Library Publishing Map: lib-pub.org

The first main action involved documenting library publishing activities among IFLA's global membership.

In taking on this task, LibPub was inspired by the leadership of the US-based Library Publishing Coalition (LPC), which had begun documenting the library publishing activities of its core, heavily US-based, members and since 2014 has developed a robust process and structure for producing its annual Directory (print and electronic).

Ann Okerson, IFLA LibPub member and Senior Advisor on Electronic Strategies for the Center for Research Libraries, talked to us about the launch of the Global Library Publishing map:

We are excited to launch the Global Library Publishing Map. This simple search tool is the first-of-its-kind online database to accommodate the submitted and edited entries, mainly drawn from the annual Directory of LPC. Users can search by name and filter per type of library, and also access an ongoing list of useful resources. This database with a strong visual component is a work in progress. It will continue to grow and evolve as digital work in perpetuity!

If anyone is interested in being indexed in the Directory of the IFLA Global Library Publishing Map, please contact me.

 

  2021 Library Publishing Directory: librarypublishing.org/lp-directory

The US-based Library Publishing Coalition (LPC) illustrates the many ways in which libraries are actively transforming and advancing scholarly communications in partnership with scholars, students, university presses, and others.

The 2021 Directory reflects a pilot partnership with IFLA LibPub SIG and includes international entries, translated by its members. LPC generously offered to collaborate with the SIG in the groups' common goal of identifying libraries involved in publishing around the world. LPC has also joined IFLA as an institutional member.

Collaboration between the two groups began in January 2020, with IFLA LibPub members, Ann Okerson and Grace Liu participating in the Library Publishing Subcommittee and in LPC’s monthly planning meetings for the 8th edition of the LPC Directory.

Grace Liu, LibPub member and Head of the Systems Department at the University of Windsor Leddy Library in Ontario, Canada introduced the work:

We are very happy to present the 8th edition of the Library Publishing Directory. This work would not have been possible without the incredible LPC effort and collegiality. IFLA LibPub’s monthly meetings with the LPC team produced valuable and practical outcomes. For example, LibPub added a streamlined template version to the LPC's long-form directory template, to make it more manageable for global libraries to complete. Also, discussions were held on how to accommodate library submissions in a language other than English, since IFLA has seven official languages.

The LPC and IFLA teams have agreed to collaborate for the 9th edition. During the coming year, in addition to continuing with the Directory project, the SIG also aims to progress with another LPC collaboration: to develop a basic curriculum for the aspiring international library publishers.

  2021 virtual Library Publishing Forum: librarypublishing.org/forum

The Library Publishing Forum is an annual conference bringing together representatives from libraries engaged in (or considering) publishing initiatives to define and address major questions and challenges; to identify and document collaborative opportunities; and to strengthen and promote this community of practice.

The 2021 Library Publishing Forum will be a virtual conference. The Forum includes representatives from a broad, international spectrum of academic library backgrounds, as well as groups that collaborate with libraries to publish scholarly works, including publishing vendors, university presses, and scholars.

The programme of the 2021 Library Publishing Forum has been announced and registration is open! Take a wee look here.

 

  More about the IFLA LibPub SIG: ifla.org/library-publishing

• Check out IFLA LibPub's main webpage
• Follow IFLA LibPub on Twitter
• Check out the IFLA LibPub's Open Programme (October 2020)
• Check out the full video proceedings of IFLA LibPub's Midterm meeting (2020 - Oslo, Norway)
• Check out the full video proceedings of IFLA LibPub's Midterm meeting (2019 - Dublin, Ireland)

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Read more about the IFLA Strategy 2019-2024

How is your library or library association engaging with the IFLA Strategy? Let us know! Post on your social media, using the hashtag #IFLAStrategy and #WeAreIFLA or send an email to Despina Gerasimidou, IFLA’s Strategic Development Officer at despina.gerasimidou@ifla.org.

      

UEFISCDI, host of the Romanian Open Science Knowledge Hub and the Romanian Programme Operator for the Research Programme under EEA and Norway Grants, with the support of Scientific Knowledge Services, will host the online international workshop 'Building Consistency for Open Science in Europe – rhetorics and practices' on 19-20 April. 

The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) under the 'Turkey in Horizon 2020 Phase II' Technical Assistance Project will host a Focus Group Training on the new Horizon Europe Open Science initiatives and the management of research data.

More than 1000 participants from over 40 countries registered for the Reflecting back & Looking Forward mid-term webinar program jointed offered by the Literacy and Reading and Public Libraries Sections 12-15 April with feedback commenting on the knowlegeable and engaging speakers.

The series started with an 'in conversation' with some of the world's children's laureates and ambssadors. Australian Laureate, Ursula Dubosarsky later commented on how inspiring and energising she had found being part of the panel. Other sessions included a discussion about the future of libraries in a post COVID world and examples of best practice by public libraries, particularly in the areas of lietracy and reading during COVID.

A parrallel program in Portuguese was also available for some components.

The videos of all sessions are now available online. 

Teresa Hackett, EIFL Copyright and Libraries Programme Manager, and Iryna Kuchma, EIFL Open Access Programme Manager, will attend ‘Towards a Global Consensus on Open Science - Online Expert Meeting on Open Science and Intellectual Property Rights’ organized by UNESCO.

UNESCO is leading the development of an international standard-setting instrument on Open Science in the form of a UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science.

The Italian Presidency of the 2021 G20 has prioritised a focus on fostering common action to promote and protect culture and cultural heritage for sustainable development.

For only the second time, the Presidency will invite Ministers of Culture (and their equivalents) of G20 countries to discuss this theme during a meeting in Rome in July 2021. 

In preparation for this Cultural Ministerial, the Presidency organised a series of webinars to bring together key stakeholders to discuss the three main focuses for this meeting:

 

1. Protection of Cultural Heritage and Fighting Illicit trafficking of cultural property;
2. Addressing the Climate crisis through culture;
3. Building capacity through training and education.

Each of these topics are essential to IFLA’s work, and we were excited to have representatives and partners of the library field participate as attendees or speakers in each.

Fighting Illicit trafficking of cultural property

The expected outcome of this focus area is encouragement to ministers to further cooperate and respond to threats to cultural heritage, as well as improve coordination in effectively fighting illicit trade of cultural goods.

IFLA is deeply concerned with the trafficking of documentary cultural heritage. The director of the Preservation and Conservation (PAC) Centre hosted at Qatar National Library was invited to attend this webinar to explore possible opportunities to connect international cultural property protection work to the work of the PAC Centre Qatar.

Culture and Climate Action

In a ground-breaking move, the Italian presidency of the G20 featured a focus on 'addressing the climate crisis through culture.' As founding members of the Climate Heritage Network, IFLA was excited to see the cultural dimension of climate action being discussed at this level.

Members of the Climate Heritage Network spoke in this webinar on efforts to promote enhanced representation of culture and cultural heritage in climate change discourse and policy. Read more about this webinar on the website of the Climate Heritage Network.

Building capacity through training and education

This priority focuses on promoting the development of specialised skills and improving knowledge management and knowledge transfer in the cultural heritage sector, especially in the digital environment. As essential providers of lifelong learning and digital access, this topic is especially relevant to the global library field.

IFLA President Christine Mackenzie participated in the panel discussion: building capacity for culture-led social and economic regeneration. In her intervention, IFLA’s President highlighted the deep divisions in our societies arising from unequal access to resources, to tools, and to information, which causes those already facing disadvantage fall further behind.

She further stressed that the ability and encouragement for all to participate in culture is necessary for building an inclusive and sustainable economy and society. This is where libraries come in, providing a pre-existing infrastructure for supporting a culture-led recovery.

Libraries are gateways to opportunity, providers of access to materials and ideas, spaces for developing new skills, and places for people of all ages and all backgrounds to enjoy, create and benefit from culture.

IFLA’s President ended her intervention with a call to participants in the G20 Culture Ministerial to fully support institutions that provide all people with the opportunity to develop the skills and capital needed to realise their potential.

You are welcome to watch the recordings of each webinar online here.

A new IFLA briefing offers an overview of the Cities Coalition for Digital Rights, and highlights areas where its targets and goals overlap with the work of the library field, creating scope for engagement, collaboration and advocacy for libraries.

Digital rights in 2021

The promise of ICT for innovation and development exists side by side with critical risks and challenges to people’s rights: internet shutdowns, online censorship, mass surveillance, algorithmic bias, and others.

Libraries are grappling with such challenges in their everyday work – such as, for example, third-party vendor privacy issues, or launching initaitives to help fight online misinformation. On the global scale, some of the recent sources that help keep track of digital rights issues and challenges include Mozilla’s latest Internet Health Report and the annual look at internet shutdowns worldwide by Access Now and the KeepItOnCoalition.

Championing digital rights at a city level? Libraries can help!

Cities are among the key actors in the ongoing digital transition. On the one hand, they are facing some of the most critical challenges, for example the pressing privacy issues around facial recognition and mass biometric surveillance. On the other hand, cities are well-positioned to act on digital rights challenges – for example, to collect data on, diagnose and implement initiatives to tackle the digital divides; empower communities to engage with local Open Data initiatives; or make tech procurement choices that protect and promote communities’ rights.

This lies at the heart of the work of the Cities Coalition for Digital Rights (CC4DR) – an initiative which facilitates good policies and practices around the use of ICT in city contexts.

Several goals of the Coalition overlap with the work and key values of libraries – from universal internet access and digital skills-building to privacy, ethical digital service standards, or facilitating transparency and access to information on tech systems that impact people’s lives.

Considering the many ties libraries often have with local stakeholders (where they are not already under their responsibility) – for example city halls, local media, schools and universities – there is a lot of scope for further collaboration in these areas of common interest.

A new IFLA briefing explores the shared priorities between the work of libraries and CC4DR. The brief outlines:

• The key goals of the Coalition, and areas where CC4DR is active;
• Overlaps between the driving principles set out in the Declaration of Cities Coalition for Digital Rights and the work and interests of libraries;
• Examples of how libraries help cities deliver on their CC4DR goals and commitments;
• Ways for libraries to get involved with these fields of work.

See IFLA's brief on the Cities Coalition for Digital Rights.

Five public librarians who took part in EIFL’s Initiative for Young African Library Innovators (IYALI) will take part in the 4th AfLIA Conference & 6th African Library Summit.

The event, which takes place virtually this year, brings together library leadership and librarians, government officials and information stakeholders from across the African continent. The summit theme is ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution, sustainable development and African libraries’.

IFLA has addressed a letter to the Colombian government, welcoming progress on passing laws to enable access to information with people with disabilities, and urging the inclusion of libraries in the implementation process.

Over 100 countries are already covered by the Marrakesh Treaty, agreed in 2013, which works to remove unnecessary barriers to making and sharing copies of books and other materials in formats that are accessible for people with print disabilities.

Colombia is set to join them, with progress on national legislation which will make the Treaty’s provisions a reality in national law.

As attention turns to implementation, it will be essential – as in every country – to make the most of libraries as ‘authorised entities’ – institutions enabled to make and share accessible format copies of works on behalf of people with disabilities, known as beneficiaries.

It is for this reason that IFLA has sent a letter welcoming progress so far, but urging the Colombian government to ensure that libraries are classed as authorised entities, in line with the Treaty itself. This will make it possible to offer support to beneficiaries locally, as well as complying with obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to offer equal services.  

Furthermore, in the letter, IFLA underlines the importance of introducing a broad definition of beneficiaries (as many other countries have done), taking robust steps to protect the privacy of people with disabilities, and drawing on the capacity of the national library to manage a information about accessible format works.

We look forward to seeing an effective implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty in Colombia, helping to deliver on the right of all to access to information.

Download the letter from IFLA President Christine Mackenzie as a pdf.

IFLA has addressed a letter to the Colombian government, welcoming progress on passing laws to enable access to information with people with disabilities, and urging the inclusion of libraries in the implementation process.

Over 100 countries are already covered by the Marrakesh Treaty, agreed in 2013, which works to remove unnecessary barriers to making and sharing copies of books and other materials in formats that are accessible for people with print disabilities.

Colombia is set to join them, with progress on national legislation which will make the Treaty’s provisions a reality in national law.

As attention turns to implementation, it will be essential – as in every country – to make the most of libraries as ‘authorised entities’ – institutions enabled to make and share accessible format copies of works on behalf of people with disabilities, known as beneficiaries.

It is for this reason that IFLA has sent a letter welcoming progress so far, but urging the Colombian government to ensure that libraries are classed as authorised entities, in line with the Treaty itself. This will make it possible to offer support to beneficiaries locally, as well as complying with obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to offer equal services.  

Furthermore, in the letter, IFLA underlines the importance of introducing a broad definition of beneficiaries (as many other countries have done), taking robust steps to protect the privacy of people with disabilities, and drawing on the capacity of the national library to manage a information about accessible format works.

We look forward to seeing an effective implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty in Colombia, helping to deliver on the right of all to access to information.

Download the letter from IFLA President Christine Mackenzie as a pdf.

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For the 2021 World Library and Information Congress, IFLA is embarking on a journey to somewhere fascinating and entirely different. Designed to be more accessible and inclusive than ever, broadening IFLA's reach to bring our profession together, this year’s WLIC is not just another virtual conference but one that truly reflects the global diversity of the library field.

IFLA WLIC 2021 is conceived as a 3-day programme (17-19 August) aligned to IFLA's new regional structure and provides coverage across three time zones: Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa; Asia and Oceania; and North America and Latin America and the Caribbean. Structured over two time zones per day, each day’s programming will begin in a different time zone and progress across the globe to provide equal opportunity and access to WLIC sessions and events. Whether you are an early riser, a daytime worker or a night owl, there will be multiple opportunities to engage and connect with colleagues and content.

The WLIC 2021 virtual venue offers thousands of librarians and information specialists the possibility to explore content scheduled on three different tracks. We aim to create an effective and easy to navigate path for WLIC participants along with the possibility to participate and engage in discussions, sessions and forums for up to nine hours per day. Access to on-demand content will also be available during the congress and for one year following the end of the event.

Registration open in May – signup for the WLIC newsletter to stay informed!

Kind regards,

Gerald Leitner
Secretary General
The Hague, Netherlands
14 April 2021

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For the 2021 World Library and Information Congress, IFLA is embarking on a journey to somewhere fascinating and entirely different. Designed to be more accessible and inclusive than ever, broadening IFLA's reach to bring our profession together, this year’s WLIC is not just another virtual conference but one that truly reflects the global diversity of the library field.

IFLA WLIC 2021 is conceived as a 3-day programme (17-19 August) aligned to IFLA's new regional structure and provides coverage across three time zones: Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa; Asia and Oceania; and North America and Latin America and the Caribbean. Structured over two time zones per day, each day’s programming will begin in a different time zone and progress across the globe to provide equal opportunity and access to WLIC sessions and events. Whether you are an early riser, a daytime worker or a night owl, there will be multiple opportunities to engage and connect with colleagues and content.

The WLIC 2021 virtual venue offers thousands of librarians and information specialists the possibility to explore content scheduled on three different tracks. We aim to create an effective and easy to navigate path for WLIC participants along with the possibility to participate and engage in discussions, sessions and forums for up to nine hours per day. Access to on-demand content will also be available during the congress and for one year following the end of the event.

Registration open in May – signup for the WLIC newsletter to stay informed!

Kind regards,

Gerald Leitner
Secretary General
The Hague, Netherlands
14 April 2021

IFLA has contributed to consultations on reforms to copyright laws in Canada and Singapore, making recommendations designed to give the best possible opportunities for libraries and their users to access and use information.

In addition to its work at the World Intellectual Property Organization, IFLA has a strong focus on supporting copyright reforms at the national level that libraries to fulfil their missions.

Through sharing good practices from other countries, we aim to increase the possibilities for libraries to carry out key activities in support of preservation, research, education and cultural participation.

Mitigating the Impacts of Term Extension: Canada

In the Canada-Mexico-United States trade agreement, Canada committed to extend the term of copyright protection from 50 years to 70 years after the death of the author.

In general, IFLA tends to oppose extending the term of copyright protection because this action delays access to copyrighted works, and intensifies challenges around orphan works or those which are out of commerce. However, where extension is inevitable, there are possibilities to minimise the harm that it can do.

 

In a contribution echoing that of the Canadian Federation of Library Associations and the Canadian Association of Research Libraries, IFLA therefore encouraged the development of options to enable the use of use of orphan and out-of-commerce works, as well as an exception for the use of works 100 years after their creation.

To the same end, IFLA strongly encouraged the establishment of a registration system if rightholders wish to exercise their rights for the final 20 years of protection, enabling unregistered works to enter the public domain. 

IFLA also supported other library contributions underlining the importance of flexibility around Canada’s fair dealing exception, the limitation of liability of library staff when working with orphan and out-of-commerce works, and the need to be clear that there should not be the  possibility to waive exceptions in the terms of contracts. 

Read IFLA’s complete response to the Canadian consultation as a pdf.

On the Road to a Model Reform: Singapore

Over the past five years, Singapore has been working towards a significant reform of its copyright laws, designed to simplify them and ensure that they remain relevant in the digital age.

Key proposals include providing clear permission for text and data mining and the use of digital materials in education, and making the implementation of Singapore’s Fair Use provisions simpler. There are also important steps to ensure that the activities of libraries cannot be taken away by the terms of contracts.

In its response, IFLA strongly welcomed the Singaporean government’s emphasis on reforms informed by evidence and focused on establishing the right balance in copyright laws for the digital age.

It called, in particular, for greater clarity around enabling text-and-data mining of library collections remotely, ensuring that libraries do not face unnecessary administrative burdens in checking on the commercial availability of works, and broadening provisions implementing the Marrakesh Treaty to guarantee that people with print disabilities can benefit for a wider range of purposes.

Read IFLA’s complete submission as a pdf.

IFLA has contributed to consultations on reforms to copyright laws in Canada and Singapore, making recommendations designed to give the best possible opportunities for libraries and their users to access and use information.

In addition to its work at the World Intellectual Property Organization, IFLA has a strong focus on supporting copyright reforms at the national level that libraries to fulfil their missions.

Through sharing good practices from other countries, we aim to increase the possibilities for libraries to carry out key activities in support of preservation, research, education and cultural participation.

Mitigating the Impacts of Term Extension: Canada

In the Canada-Mexico-United States trade agreement, Canada committed to extend the term of copyright protection from 50 years to 70 years after the death of the author.

In general, IFLA tends to oppose extending the term of copyright protection because this action delays access to copyrighted works, and intensifies challenges around orphan works or those which are out of commerce. However, where extension is inevitable, there are possibilities to minimise the harm that it can do.

 

In a contribution echoing that of the Canadian Federation of Library Associations and the Canadian Association of Research Libraries, IFLA therefore encouraged the development of options to enable the use of use of orphan and out-of-commerce works, as well as an exception for the use of works 100 years after their creation.

To the same end, IFLA strongly encouraged the establishment of a registration system if rightholders wish to exercise their rights for the final 20 years of protection, enabling unregistered works to enter the public domain. 

IFLA also supported other library contributions underlining the importance of flexibility around Canada’s fair dealing exception, the limitation of liability of library staff when working with orphan and out-of-commerce works, and the need to be clear that there should not be the  possibility to waive exceptions in the terms of contracts. 

Read IFLA’s complete response to the Canadian consultation as a pdf.

On the Road to a Model Reform: Singapore

Over the past five years, Singapore has been working towards a significant reform of its copyright laws, designed to simplify them and ensure that they remain relevant in the digital age.

Key proposals include providing clear permission for text and data mining and the use of digital materials in education, and making the implementation of Singapore’s Fair Use provisions simpler. There are also important steps to ensure that the activities of libraries cannot be taken away by the terms of contracts.

In its response, IFLA strongly welcomed the Singaporean government’s emphasis on reforms informed by evidence and focused on establishing the right balance in copyright laws for the digital age.

It called, in particular, for greater clarity around enabling text-and-data mining of library collections remotely, ensuring that libraries do not face unnecessary administrative burdens in checking on the commercial availability of works, and broadening provisions implementing the Marrakesh Treaty to guarantee that people with print disabilities can benefit for a wider range of purposes.

Read IFLA’s complete submission as a pdf.

At 12pm CEST today, the six-week period for nominations for IFLA’s elections and appointments process 2021 came to an end.

Around the world, IFLA Members, Affiliates and volunteers have worked to identify great candidates for the over 800 positions available.

In doing so, they have shown not only their commitment to a positive future for the global library field, but also given nominees the opportunity to contribute to, and benefit from, the most international library network in the world.

In turn, nominees, in setting out their readiness to serve, have underlined the wealth of experience and energy on which IFLA can draw in advancing its work.

We therefore want to say thank you to all those who have given their time and effort so far in this process – you have made IFLA stronger.

On 26 April, voting will open for almost all posts across IFLA, with the exception of elections for the Professional Council Chair and Professional Division Committee Chairs, which will open on 3 May. All those eligible to vote will receive relevant information in time to be able to make your choices, with wider information available through IFLA’s website and social media.

We are looking forward to this key next step towards bringing IFLA’s new governance structures, designed hand-in-hand with our members and volunteers, to life.

We are IFLA! 

Kind regards,

Gerald Leitner
Secretary General
The Hague, Netherlands
13 April 2021

The National Open Research Forum (NORF, Ireland) is presenting a webinar focused on skills, incentives and rewards for Open Research. NORF has been developing a National Open Research Landscape Report to summarise progress and challenges in each of the strategic areas of Ireland’s National Framework on the Transition to an Open Research Environment. Against this background, speakers will discuss the skills and competencies required for Open Research and incentives and rewards for Open Research practices.