To mark Human Rights Day 2020, IFLA has opened a survey seeking views on intellectual freedom developments in recent years, their impact on libraries, and potential revisions to IFLA’s Statement on the subject.

IFLA’s Statement on Libraries and Intellectual Freedom turned 21 this year.

Over more than two decades, it has provided a core reference point for much of IFLA’s work around freedom of access to information and freedom of expression.

More importantly still, it has provided a reference point for work in libraries and library associations around the world, having been translated into 33 languages, from Albanian to Vietnamese.

Its two decades of existence have of course seen significant changes in the world around us, affecting the very basics of the way we create, share, receive and use information.

This has obliged libraries and others committed to supporting intellectual freedom to be creative and adaptive, finding appropriate ways to apply constant principles in a changing situation. These decisions are often difficult, requiring library staff to take different interests and rights into account.

In the light of this, it is important to ensure that the Statement – and IFLA’s work in general – provides the best possible support to members of the global library field.

To do this, IFLA’s Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression is welcoming input from libraries, library associations and library workers globally.

A survey seeks to collect views on awareness and use of the Statement, key developments around intellectual freedom over recent years (both for wider society and libraries), actions taken, and suggestions for amendments.

The results will support discussion in the committee around next steps, both as concerns a potential update of the Statement, and other tools that can support libraries in their work.

The survey is open until 15 January 2021, and can be accessed here.

See also our list of intellecutal freedom statements from different countries and our Intellectual Freedom Checklist.

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Closely aligned to the IFLA Key Initiative 3.1 “Provide excellent opportunities for networking and learning” the IFLA Section on Education and Training (IFLA SET) sets an excellent example for working “outside of silos”, by focusing on collaboration and developing collective actions across sectors.

SET’s ultimate goal is to advance the profession through understanding best practices in LIS education. Here are some of their amazing products, resulting from their collective and hard work:

1. Building Strong LIS Education (BSLISE): https://bslise.org

In collaboration with the LIS Education in Developing Countries Special Interest Group and the Library Theory and Research Section, the SET launched the BSLISE Working Group in 2016. Since then, the BSLISE working group was strengthened to involve 35 members from all 5 IFLA regions, representing 19 countries and 18 languages.

The working group is devoted to strengthening the international quality of LIS education, and consequently, the excellence of LIS professional practice. Here are some recent highlights:

• Building Strong LIS Education: A Call to Global and Local Action – An IFLA BSLISE Working Group White Paper (2018)

Based on key findings from an LIS professional practice survey, BSLISE members coordinated with SET and LTR to advance work on three of recommended White Paper action areas: an LIS schools/programs survey and mapping project, identification of eight Foundational Knowledge Areas (FKAs), and development of LIS education guidelines to update IFLA's Guidelines for Professional Library/Information Educational Programs - 2012.

 

 

• Student spotlight project

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This project profiles experiences and views of LIS students from around the world. It emerged out of an internship program with by student members of the iLab, a hands-on learning laboratory at the University of North Carolina (Greensboro, USA).

A more detailed description of the project can be found in an article in the 2020 issue of the IFLA SET Bulletin, 21 (2), pp. 22-28, written by Amanda Thompson.

 

• LIS Student Library Voices: Global Peer to Peer Dialogue

This joint project was introduced by Albina Krymskaya and her student, Alena Katina, both of the St. Petersburg university of culture (Russia), with BSLISE Intern Alice Herring, an LIS student at the university of North Carolina at Greensboro (USA).

This initiative aims to develop a global student network of LIS students where they can meet each other, learn about each other’s programs, and share their perspectives. The development of this initiative has been opened to the members of the BSLISE Working Group.

2. Webinars

SET launched a Webinar Series for LIS specialists in terms of acquiring professional competences, scheduled monthly.

So far, a 2-day webinar has been held in November 2020 with the theme “Putting Emerging LIS Competencies into Education and Practice: Challenges and Opportunities.” This webinar focused on projects utilizing innovative LIS competencies in education and practice. There were six presentations from 8 countries (Kuwait, Taiwan, France, Peru, USA, China, Italy and Canada). The programme, slides and other materials on this webinar can be found here.

Webinar "Putting emerging LIS competencies into education and practice: challenges and opportunities" Day 1

Webinar "Putting emerging LIS competencies into education and practice: challenges and opportunities" Day 2  

The next one is being held today: https://www.ifla.org/node/93487 

Register to book your seat! https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_I47xEHslQ6-2zJrhiQC86Q

There are more upcoming projects for LIS professionals and students in 2021. Stay tuned! 

 

 

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.

 

      

Dear Friends,

We present to you the November 2020 issue of our IFLA Asia and Oceania Regional Quarterly Newsletters.

Hope all of you will stay safe and enjoy the reading. 

Take care.

~Please open the PDF newsletter to access the links.~

Thank you.

With warmest regards,

Soh Lin Li
Regional Manager
IFLA Regional Office for Asia and Oceania

EIFL is delighted to be  invited to speak at this informal early evening social gathering via Zoom organized by the International Library and Information Group (ILIG) and the UK eInformation Group of the UK library and information association, CILIP.

EIFL is delighted to be  invited to speak at this informal early evening social gathering via Zoom organized by the International Library and Information Group (ILIG) and the UK eInformation Group of the UK library and information association, CILIP.

EIFL is delighted to be  invited to speak at this informal early evening social gathering via Zoom organized by the International Library and Information Group (ILIG) and the UK eInformation Group of the UK library and information association, CILIP.

Join us for a presentation and discussion about the open access policy development process in India, with Dr Arul George Scaria, Associate Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Centre for Innovation, Intellectual Property and Competition (CIIPC), National Law University, Delhi.

Join us for a presentation and discussion about the open access policy development process in India, with Dr Arul George Scaria, Associate Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Centre for Innovation, Intellectual Property and Competition (CIIPC), National Law University, Delhi.

Join us for a presentation and discussion about the open access policy development process in India, with Dr Arul George Scaria, Associate Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Centre for Innovation, Intellectual Property and Competition (CIIPC), National Law University, Delhi.

IFLA's new research into digital skills strategies highlights examples of where governments have recognised the role of libraries in helping people become more competent, confident internet users. It provides examples to use in advocacy for library inclusion in such policy documents.

While giving everyone the possibility to get online is essential for meaningful digital inclusion, it is increasingly clear that it may not be enough.

Faced with the wealth of information and opportunities that the internet and digital tools provide, the skills and confidence to use them effectively are essential.

IFLA, alongside other library organisations, has long argued that libraries can play a powerful role in delivering connectivity and skills, as well as content.

In a new paper published today, IFLA looks across strategies and other policy documents prepared by governments, in order to identify how and where this potential is recognised.

The paper highlights how, in developed and developing countries alike, libraries are seen as part of the digital skills infrastructure, providing or supporting a wide range of training.

The paper is designed to be used by libraries and library associations in your own advocacy.

You can draw on it to underline how other governments have already integrated libraries into their work, and make the case for your government to do the same.

Access the publication on our publications page.

The Global Sustainability Coalition for Open Science Services (SCOSS) has helped raise funds for six open access and open science infrastructures, generating 2,781,525 Euros in just three years. Iryna Kuchma, EIFL Open Access Programme Manager, who is on the SCOSS Board, updates us on SCOSS’ efforts to sustain open infrastructures. 

The Global Sustainability Coalition for Open Science Services (SCOSS) has helped raise funds for six open access and open science infrastructures, generating 2,781,525 Euros in just three years. Iryna Kuchma, EIFL Open Access Programme Manager, who is on the SCOSS Board, updates us on SCOSS’ efforts to sustain open infrastructures. 

The Global Sustainability Coalition for Open Science Services (SCOSS) has helped raise funds for six open access and open science infrastructures, generating 2,781,525 Euros in just three years. Iryna Kuchma, EIFL Open Access Programme Manager, who is on the SCOSS Board, updates us on SCOSS’ efforts to sustain open infrastructures. 

Rima Kupryte, EIFL Director, and Romy Beard, EIFL Licensing Progamme Manager, have been invited by the Open Access (OA) 2020 Initiative and the Max Planck Society to attend the OA2020 Summit of Chief Negotiators. 

The first part of the meeting, documenting the progress of OA2020 stakeholders, will be recorded and published on the OA2020 website; the second part of the meeting, highlighting benchmarks in key areas of transformative negotiation strategies, will be reserved for OA2020 partners participating live.

Rima Kupryte, EIFL Director, and Romy Beard, EIFL Licensing Progamme Manager, have been invited by the Open Access (OA) 2020 Initiative and the Max Planck Society to attend the OA2020 Summit of Chief Negotiators. 

The first part of the meeting, documenting the progress of OA2020 stakeholders, will be recorded and published on the OA2020 website; the second part of the meeting, highlighting benchmarks in key areas of transformative negotiation strategies, will be reserved for OA2020 partners participating live.

Rima Kupryte, EIFL Director, and Romy Beard, EIFL Licensing Progamme Manager, have been invited by the Open Access (OA) 2020 Initiative and the Max Planck Society to attend the OA2020 Summit of Chief Negotiators. 

The first part of the meeting, documenting the progress of OA2020 stakeholders, will be recorded and published on the OA2020 website; the second part of the meeting, highlighting benchmarks in key areas of transformative negotiation strategies, will be reserved for OA2020 partners participating live.

Rima Kupryte, EIFL Director, and Romy Beard, EIFL Licensing Progamme Manager, have been invited by the Open Access (OA) 2020 Initiative and the Max Planck Society to attend the OA2020 Summit of Chief Negotiators. 

The first part of the meeting, documenting the progress of OA2020 stakeholders, will be recorded and published on the OA2020 website; the second part of the meeting, highlighting benchmarks in key areas of transformative negotiation strategies, will be reserved for OA2020 partners participating live.

EIFL has signed a new read & publish agreement with the European Respiratory Society. The agreement, which lasts until December 2023, covers free and discounted read & publish prices for access to and publishing in its flagship journal, the European Respiratory Journal, for libraries and authors from 37 EIFL partner countries.

EIFL has signed a new read & publish agreement with the European Respiratory Society. The agreement, which lasts until December 2023, covers free and discounted read & publish prices for access to and publishing in its flagship journal, the European Respiratory Journal, for libraries and authors from 37 EIFL partner countries.

EIFL has signed a new read & publish agreement with the European Respiratory Society. The agreement, which lasts until December 2023, covers free and discounted read & publish prices for access to and publishing in its flagship journal, the European Respiratory Journal, for libraries and authors from 37 EIFL partner countries.