You will hear the following presentations:

OR, open licensing, and the role of librarians as the vanguard of the open movement

(Neil Butcher, OER Africa, OER Strategist. South Africa)

Drawing on work that OER Africa has been doing with the African Library and Information Association (AfLIA), this presentation will explore the concepts of OER and open access and their relevance to librarians in the context of the knowledge economy, including discussion on how this has become even more important given the effects of the coronavirus pandemic globally. The presentation will explore how open licensing is changing the role of librarians, while making their function more important than ever before. We will also explore what we have learned about the key skills and knowledge that librarians need to take on these new roles and strategies we have deployed to help to develop those skills amongst AfLIA members – and outline what lessons this might hold for libraries globally.

The burgeoning field of open education librarianship

(Nicole Allen, SPARC, Director of Open Education. United States)

Over the last decade, academic libraries have emerged as drivers of OER policy, practice, and publishing of OER in the U.S. and Canada. Prompted by student concerns over the rapidly rising price of postsecondary textbooks, libraries have launched programs to support the use, creation, and pedagogy associated with OER, cultivating a new and growing field of open education librarianship. This presentation will explore the past, present, and future of why open education matters to libraries, focusing on a North American context.

Supporting educational resource discovery through distributed faceted discovery of open access resources across multiple systems

(Edmund Balnaves, Prosentient Systems Pty Ltd. Australia)

Digital services supporting educational delivery increasingly need to draw on disparate data sources to bring together the research assets supporting content delivery.
This presentation discusses our experiments with very large discovery frameworks and to consolidate asset discovery across multiple sources in an opensource framework supported by analytics feeding into Artificial Intelligence for smart discovery of content in a very large asset store.
The use of this in the context of asset discovery for University of New England, Australia will be discussed.

Tuesday 17 August, 0730 GMT

Our session follows the Opening Ceremony and includes the following presentations on:

Innovative Mechanisms for Evidence-Based Policy : Understanding how intellectual hubs support complex collaboration and new technologies by David Stokes

Planning for Uncertainty: Government Libraries as a Strategic Foresight Resource by Matt Finch

The Statistics Canada Library: A case study of supporting evidence-based policy by Elizabeth Nash

Followed by a live Q&A session. Remember if yhou can't attend live the session recording is available for a year.

COVID-19 presents the library profession with a huge opportunity. Never before has everyone been so aware of the need for reliable healthcare information, and yet so vulnerable to misinformation. Misinformation is a growing threat to global health. The only way to deal with it is to promote universal access to reliable healthcare information, and to empower people to tell the difference between reliable information and misinformation.

To make this happen, library and information professionals need to take the lead.  

JOIN US on the first day of the IFLA Congress 17 August 2021
  Provocation: 8:30 am - 9:15 am BST [See the time where you are]
  Q&A session: 9:15 am - 9:45 am BST [See the time where you are]

See our event page for more information

The Library and Research Services for Parliaments Section will host a panel on DAY 2 at the WLIC 2021

Libraries and Research Services Enable: evidence-based practice in parliamentary library and research services

 A panel discussion session moderated by Sonia Bebbington of Canada and Ido Avgar of the Knesset Research and Information Center

Library of Congress, Chile: experience in evidence-informed policy advice

Contribution of the Knesset Research & Information Center to Evidence-Based Parliamentary Work

The role of Parliamentary Research Services in evidence-based policy in Kenya

PLEASE JOIN US!!!

With the translation into Thai and Spanish of the Guidelines, they are now available in 26 languages,

Our session at WLIC 2021 - Safe and open: post-recovery library design -  takes place on day 1 (17th August). Libraries will continue to deliver rich and engaging services and spaces for users in the post-recovery world but will increasingly be called upon to balance core design objectives with the need to protect the health and wellbeing of our users and staff.  For example, there may be a tension between creating collaborative and flexible environments for our users to explore, creating rich learning environments and creating flexible staff workspaces for collaboration while also acknowledging the need for more flexible staff work arrangements. This provocation session will look at possible changes when libraries fully reopen after a substantial event (pandemic or fire, for example) and what may remain the same. Some questions will include "What does 'different ways of working' really mean?" "How will users different behaviours and needs in a post-recovery world influence/impact library space?" "How will aesthetics and atmosphere influence wellbeing and safety for staff and users?" "What design opportunities are available to meet these challenges?"  There will be three speakers and a moderator; one of the speakers will be an architect. For more information see our Facebook Group and follow us on Twitter @ifla_lbes .

 

 

 

 

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In just a few days now, the global library field will be together again, back for the 86th World Library and Information Congress.

Organised virtually, with a view to maximising possibilities for participation by colleagues everywhere, it is an unparalleled opportunity for you to see and experience the energy, inspiration and diversity of the global library field.

With the IFLA Strategy providing a reference point, we will look to the future, to the actions that we can take to address the key challenges and questions we face.

We will discover, discuss, present, provoke and solve. Crucially, we will do this together, as a strong and united field.

So in our final newsletter before WLIC 2021, find out about what awaits those who register. And if you haven’t yet, don’t forget that the deadline is at 17:00 CEST on Monday 16 August!

Crucially, get ready for an extraordinary the most international, the most exhilarating opportunity around to build your personal and professional connections. Be part of our global field!

See you on 17 August!

Read on in the WLIC Newsletter, Issue 7, 11 August 2021.

Kind regards,

Gerald Leitner
Secretary General
The Hague, Netherlands
11 August 2021

En este contexto el Comité de América Latina y el Caribe-IFLA LAC ha desarrollado un proyecto que contempla acciones claras y contundentes frente a este tema:

PRIMERO reforzar la presencia de la region en el mapa mundial de bibliotecas de IFLA, para lo cual hemos realizado talleres virtuales de sensibilizacion en toda region mediante las asociaciones hemos capacitado a “talleristas” para que repliquen estos talleres en sus comunidades locales, y asi incrementar las historias de ODS de IFLA en el Mapa Mundial.

De igual forma en el contexto de la Reunion de Medio Ano hemos organizado el Seminario Internacional Virtual por el Ano Iberoamericano de las Bibliotecas para poner la discusion entorno a nuestras bibliotecas y su rol de futuro, convocando a los distintos tipos de bibliotecas existentes a lo largo de toda la region, tales como las bibliotecas publicas, comunitarias, patrimoniales, universitarias, especializadas, escolares, entre otras. Contamos con cuatro mesas y charlista magistrales excepcionales.

• MESA 1 Bibliotecas Publicas y Populares. Desafios y oportunidades.
• MESA 2 Bibliotecas Escolares y CRA. Los ODS y su vinculacion con las bibliotecas escolares: educacion de calidad y acceso significativo la informacion en tiempos de pandemia.
• MESA 3 Las Bibliotecas Académica y la Cuarta Revolucion Industrial. Bibliotecas para la transformacion, el trabajo interdisciplinar y el empoderamiento ciudadano
• MESA 4 Bibliotecas Especializadas. Ciencias al servicio de la sociedad.

Este encuentro de alcance internacional, permitio abonar al slogan “Bibliotecas que crean futuro”, permitira generar un espacio de reflexion alrededor de la diversidad de bibliotecas, donde se discutio y converso sobre el rol de las bibliotecas y su vigencia como un espacio democratico y de acceso libre a la informacion, el conocimiento y la cultura para todos y todas los ciudadanos.

Junto con ello desarrollamos un set de material audio visual (videos) sobre las bibliotecas de la region, que cuentan ademas con capsulas breves de promocion, todo este material esta disponible de acceso libre y gratuito para que ustedes utilicen en sus actividades, promociones y presentaciones.

Estas estaran con locucion en espanol subtituladas en espanol, portugués e ingles en las redes sociales de IFLA LAC. Estamos presentes trabajando activamente en el comité del Ano iberoamericano de las bibliotecas junto con IBERBIBLIOTECAS, ABINIA, CERLALC, Secretaria General Iberoamericana y otros actores relevantes de la region.

Creemos firmemente que las bibliotecas son los espacios democratizadores del acceso a la informacion y el conocimiento por antonomasia y garantes de aquello, espacios mas alla de los libros donde la sociedad y las comunidades pueden desarrollarse, compartir, participar, construir y sonar con un futuro mejor. Con igualdad y equidad, con justicia social y oportunidades. 

DIRECTIVA ESTRATÉGICA 1 REFORZAR LA VOZ GLOBAL DE LAS BIBLIOTECAS

Escuchamos y comprendemos las prioridades de todo el sector, y divulgamos el mensaje a través de la defensa de las bibliotecas y sus valores a nivel global y regional. Hablamos con conocimiento, confianza y autoridad sobre las politicas relevantes, garantizando el reconocimiento y apoyo a las bibliotecas como activos fundamentales de la comunidad, esenciales para la implementacion de las agendas de desarrollo. Nuestra fuerte presencia en las organizaciones y reuniones internacionales nos empodera como un socio valioso.

INICIATIVAS CLAVE 1.4 Influir en la opinion publica y en el debate sobre el acceso publico y los valores de las bibliotecas, incluida la libertad intelectual y los derechos humanos Brindaremos un liderazgo intelectual y practico para respaldar el acceso publico a la informacion y valores mas amplios para nuestro sector. Deseamos facilitar la comprension del rol de las bibliotecas como adalides de la libertad intelectual, fomentar la reflexion, coordinar la accion y promover las bibliotecas a nivel externo.

DIRECTIVA ESTRATÉGICA 3 CONECTAR Y EMPODERAR EL SECTOR Somos un centro de dialogo y accion. Somos el motor para un sector bibliotecario conectado y alineado, caracterizado por un verdadero espiritu de colaboracion, en el que no se excluye a ningun bibliotecario. Unimos pasiones, proveemos plataformas y permitimos la innovacion, el aprendizaje, y el desarrollo profesional en todos los niveles. De este modo, respondemos a los actuales desafios y oportunidades, y empoderamos al sector bibliotecario a prestar servicios de alta calidad que respondan a las necesidades de la comunidad, y promovemos la alfabetizacion, la innovacion, la preservacion del patrimonio y el acceso a la informacion para todos los usuarios.

INICIATIVAS CLAVE 3.2 Respaldar el trabajo en red y las conexiones virtuales Desarrollaremos un espiritu de colaboracion continua en el sector bibliotecario a través de herramientas virtuales de trabajo en red para permitir que cada bibliotecario participe y se comprometa con la conversacion global.

3.3 Empoderar al sector a nivel nacional y regional Incrementaremos la capacidad del sector bibliotecario para desarrollar acciones orientadas a las caracteristicas y requisitos regionales y nacionales, fortaleciendo a las asociaciones de bibliotecarios, las instituciones y las redes a todo nivel.

3.4 Brindar aprendizaje y desarrollo profesional especificos Proporcionaremos una variedad de oportunidades de aprendizaje que actualicen las practicas vigentes. Crearemos la capacidad de promover el compromiso y la evaluacion de la comunidad y hacer de cada bibliotecario un defensor de la profesion y desarrollaremos los lideres del futuro y los conectaremos entre si.

TALLERES DE MAPA MUNDIAL DE BIBLIOTECAS

1. PRIMERA SESIÓN DEL DÍA
2. SEGUNDA SESIÓN DEL DÍA 

SEMINARIO INTERNACIONAL VIRTUAL POR EL AÑO IBEROAMERICANO DE LAS BIBLIOTECAS

• DÍA 1
• DÍA 2

CÁPSULAS INFORMATIVAS EN EL AÑO IBEROAMERICANO DE BIBLIOTECAS

YOUTUBE VÍDEO GENERAL https://youtu.be/1ra4DMyJttk

• SPA
• ENG
• CORTO

BIBLIOTECAS PÚBLICAS https://youtu.be/t-4GHr8F2C0

• SPA 
• ENG 
• PORTUGUES 

BIBLIOTECAS UNIVERSITARIAS Y ACADÉMICAS https://youtu.be/2tSowlBd8Y4

• SPA 
• ENG 
• PORTUGUES 

BIBLIOTECAS ESCOLARES https://youtu.be/cTbGZ5moJpg

• SPA 
• ENG 
• PORTUGUES 

BIBLIOTECAS NACIONALES https://youtu.be/tp8c4VJEFM4

• SPA 
• ENG 
• PORTUGUES

BIBLIOTECAS ESPECIALIZADAS https://youtu.be/SfcY6q7dBW8

• SPA
• ENG
• PORTUGUES

19 August will we have our session at Zoom.

The theme is "Preserving our recorded sound and visual heritage for the future...and beyond!"

https://www.ifla-wlic2021.com/events/sessions/preserving-our-recorded-sound-and-visual-heritage-for-the-future-and-beyond

Please join!

WLIC 2021: An Open Forum on LTR research projects: Beyond Helicopter Research: Unpacking International Studies on LIS Education and Research Methods:

When:  August 18, 2:15-3 pm Chicago (CDT) / 3:15-4 pm New York (EDT) / 9:15-10 pm The Hague (CEST) / August 19, 3:15-4 am Beijing (CST) / 5:15-6 am Melbourne (AEST)

Where: (Libraries Inspire - Zoom Discussion Room 1) WLIC registration required.

This open forum sets the stage for a dialogue on conducting international LIS research that is sensitive to diverse communities, multiple ways of knowing, and local participation. The session will present two cases, describing what worked, how hurdles were overcome and critical concerns, to provide context for the conversation to follow.

The first, conducted by the IFLA Building LIS Education (BSLISE) Working Group, is an international survey, directory and map of LIS education programs https://bslise.org/lis-education-map/ developed as a response to one of the recommendations of the IFLA Building Strong LIS Education White Paper (2018). The second, conducted by the IFLA Library Theory and Research (LTR) Section, in collaboration with the Education and Training Section, focuses on teaching research methods in LIS programs. The goals of the study are to examine what approaches to teaching research methods are currently being applied in LIS programs worldwide and to compare international educational models for preparing library practitioners to conduct research and evaluation studies. The designing of effective international LIS research calls for robust discussion and critical reflection, involving a wide range of perspectives, which moves the endeavor closer to truly international research.

Speakers:

Nuria Bautista-Puig (Spain) – Moderating the Design of Effective International LIS Research

Fatih Oguz (United States) – International Survey, Directory and Map of LIS Education Programmes

Krystyna Matusiak (United States) and Egbert Sanchez (Mexico) – An International Survey on Teaching Research Methods in LIS Programmes

WLIC 2021: A Solutions Room on Implementing the "IFLA Guidelines for Professional LIS Education Programmes": Stakeholder Perspectives and Buy-in Locally and Globally, with IFLA President Christine Mackenzie, President-Elect Barbara Lison and others:

When:  August 18, 9-10 pm Chicago (CDT) / 10-11pm New York (EDT) / August 19, 4-5 am The Hague (CEST) / 10-11 am Beijing (CST) / 12-1 pm Melbourne (AEST)

Where:  (Libraries Enable - Zoom Discussion Room 1) WLIC registration required.

The session will bring leaders and stakeholders together for robust engagement and creative approaches to adopting, supporting and promoting the IFLA Guidelines to develop LIS education programs, appropriate to a diverse community and relevant to its local contexts in a globalised economy. The IFLA Building Strong LIS Education (BSLISE) Working Group will explore how the IFLA leadership, staff, and units, as well as other appropriate LIS entities, can move the Guidelines forward. Moreover, the deliberations will inform the implementation of the Guidelines, and its alignment with opportunity #10 in IFLA’s Global Vision: We must give young professionals effective opportunities to learn, develop and lead. The Section on Education and Training, the Library Theory and Research Section, and LIS Education in Developing Countries SIG will consider the input and perspectives shared in the Guidelines implementation process.

Speakers:

Christine Mackenzie (Australia) – Welcome to Solutions Session on “IFLA Guidelines for Professional LIS Education Programmes”

Jaya Raju (South Africa) – Setting the Stage for the “IFLA Guidelines for Professional LIS Education Programmes”

Clara M. Chu (United States) – Global North Stakeholder Perspectives and Buy-in

Diljit Singh (Malaysia) – Global South Stakeholder Perspectives and Buy-In

Barbara Lison (Germany) – IFLA’s role in the implementation of new “IFLA Guidelines for Professional LIS Education Programmes”

MLAS has created videos in different languages featuring interviews to library leaders from different regions of the world about "Advocacy: The Power of Networking."

The videos are available on the MLAS YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtUG5WEHueFM1T_faMhyS-ivjRFYnrEjW

The Session of Local History and Genealogy Section on the IFLA WLIC 2021   12:00 pm - 12:45 pm - 19 August 2021 Sustaining our identity and heritage through collections, documentation, and genealogy Libraries Sustain - Stream 1 Please click the link to find the meeting time in your time zone.  https://www.ifla-wlic2021.com/events/sessions/sustaining-our-identity-and-heritage-through-collections-documentation-and-genealogy   1. 19 August 2021 12:00 pm Experiential Learning in Web Archives and Digitization Services. Elizabeth MacLeod Senior Manager of Satellite Digitization Services - Internet Archive   2. 19 August 2021 12:15 pm "The making of" Kamal Joumblatt Digital Library" the challenges of selection, digitization and allowing access to the papers photos and publications of one of the major political personalities in Lebanon. Fatme Charafeddine Associate University Librarian for Research and Academic Collaboration Services - American University of Beirut   3. 19 August 2021 12:30 pm Seeking records about our selves and sustaining our heritage   Elizabeth Diaz Rechebei   The live Q&A discussion of Local History and Genealogy Section's Sesson  12:45 pm - 13:15 pm 19 August 2021 For further information about the live Q&A discussion,  https://www.ifla-wlic2021.com/events/sessions/136   Session Description Local History and Genealogy Section Session Chairs, Cecilia Salvatore, Professor - Dominican University, Chicago, Illinois Session Moderator, Laila Hussein Moustafa, Associate Professor - University of Illinois, University of Illinois Session Moderator, Cherie Bush, Account Manager - FamilySearch International, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Session Moderator, Takashi Nagatsuka, Professor Emeritus, Tsurumi University, Yokohama, Japan

IFLA WLIC 2021: Multicultural library services worldwide: 15 years of the IFLA/UNESCO Multicultural Library Manifesto

When:  August 18, 10-10:45 am Chicago (CDT) / 11-11:45am New York (EDT) /  5-5:45 pm The Hague (CEST) / 11-11:45 pm Beijing (CST) / August 19, 1-1:45 am Melbourne (AEST)

Where:  (Libraries Include - Stream 2) WLIC registration required.

Fifteen years ago, the IFLA Multicultural Library Manifesto was approved by the IFLA Governing Board at the 2006 World Library and Information Congress in Seoul, and endorsed by UNESCO in 2009. The primary goal of the Manifesto was to assist libraries in developing and advocating for multicultural services.

The creation of the Manifesto has paved the way for other initiatives, including the Manifesto Toolkit, which was launched at the 2014 World Library and Information Congress in Lyon, revised in 2018, and so far translated into Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Spanish.

This virtual conference setting provides the unique opportunity to put together a discussion panel featuring section leaders who were actively involved in the development of the Manifesto and Toolkit: Mijin Kim (Chair 2007-2011), Tess Tobin (Chair 2011-2015), Lan Gao (Chair 2019-2021) and Adjoa K. Boateng (Chair 2017-2019) who will facilitate the discussion.

This 45-minute pre-recorded session will be an opportunity to look back fifteen years, returning to the origins and vision for the Manifesto - the circumstances around the decision to create this document, and the kinds of change that were envisioned in the sector as a result. Panelists will share their recollections of the challenges in developing the manifesto - firstly as an official IFLA document, and then endorsed by UNESCO.

The panel will also discuss the importance of also creating an accompanying toolkit, to provide practical guidance in applying the Manifesto in libraries, and the work undertaken in developing this toolkit.

Finally, the session will be an opportunity to discuss the value of library manifestos, as demonstrated by the IFLA/UNESCO Multicultural Library Manifesto, and the lessons learnt that other IFLA sections can take on when developing plans for creating their own manifestos.

This panel discussion will be followed by a live Q&A session with the panelists in Zoom Discussion Room 2.

 

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

​

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.

 

   

 

Register and join the IFLA WLIC 2021 'Let's work together for the future', 17-19 August 2021. 

LIS research that is sensitive to diverse communities, multiple ways of knowing, and local participation

IFLA WLIC 2021: An Open Forum on LTR research projects: Beyond Helicopter Research: Unpacking International Studies on LIS Education and Research Methods:

When:  August 18, 2:15-3 pm Chicago (CDT) / 3:15-4 pm New York (EDT) / 9:15-10 pm The Hague (CEST) / August 19, 3:15-4 am Beijing (CST) / 5:15-6 am Melbourne (AEST)

Where: (Libraries Inspire - Zoom Discussion Room 1) - WLIC registration required.

This open forum sets the stage for a dialogue on conducting international LIS research that is sensitive to diverse communities, multiple ways of knowing, and local participation. The session will present two cases, describing what worked, how hurdles were overcome and critical concerns, to provide context for the conversation to follow.

The first, conducted by the IFLA Building LIS Education (BSLISE) Working Group, is an international survey, directory and map of LIS education programs https://bslise.org/lis-education-map/ developed as a response to one of the recommendations of the IFLA Building Strong LIS Education White Paper (2018). The second, conducted by the IFLA Library Theory and Research (LTR) Section, in collaboration with the Education and Training Section, focuses on teaching research methods in LIS programs. The goals of the study are to examine what approaches to teaching research methods are currently being applied in LIS programs worldwide and to compare international educational models for preparing library practitioners to conduct research and evaluation studies. The designing of effective international LIS research calls for robust discussion and critical reflection, involving a wide range of perspectives, which moves the endeavor closer to truly international research.

Speakers:

• Nuria Bautista-Puig (Spain) – Moderating the Design of Effective International LIS Research
• Fatih Oguz (United States) – International Survey, Directory and Map of LIS Education Programmes
• Krystyna Matusiak (United States) and Egbert Sanchez (Mexico) – An International Survey on Teaching Research Methods in LIS Programmes.

 

Register and join the IFLA WLIC 2021 'Let's work together for the future', 17-19 August 2021. 

 

Robust engagement and creative approaches to adopting, supporting and promoting the IFLA Guidelines

IFLA WLIC 2021: A Solutions Room on Implementing the "IFLA Guidelines for Professional LIS Education Programmes": Stakeholder Perspectives and Buy-in Locally and Globally, with IFLA President Christine Mackenzie, President-Elect Barbara Lison and others:

When:  August 18, 9-10 pm Chicago (CDT) / 10-11pm New York (EDT) / August 19, 4-5 am The Hague (CEST) / 10-11 am Beijing (CST) / 12-1 pm Melbourne (AEST)

Where:  (Libraries Enable - Zoom Discussion Room 1) - WLIC registration required.

The session will bring leaders and stakeholders together for robust engagement and creative approaches to adopting, supporting and promoting the IFLA Guidelines to develop LIS education programs, appropriate to a diverse community and relevant to its local contexts in a globalised economy. The IFLA Building Strong LIS Education (BSLISE) Working Group will explore how the IFLA leadership, staff, and units, as well as other appropriate LIS entities, can move the Guidelines forward. Moreover, the deliberations will inform the implementation of the Guidelines, and its alignment with opportunity #10 in IFLA’s Global Vision: We must give young professionals effective opportunities to learn, develop and lead. The Section on Education and Training, the Library Theory and Research Section, and LIS Education in Developing Countries SIG will consider the input and perspectives shared in the Guidelines implementation process.

Speakers:

• Christine Mackenzie (Australia) – Welcome to Solutions Session on “IFLA Guidelines for Professional LIS Education Programmes”
• Jaya Raju (South Africa) – Setting the Stage for the “IFLA Guidelines for Professional LIS Education Programmes”
• Clara M. Chu (United States) – Global North Stakeholder Perspectives and Buy-in
• Diljit Singh (Malaysia) – Global South Stakeholder Perspectives and Buy-In
• Barbara Lison (Germany) – IFLA’s role in the implementation of new “IFLA Guidelines for Professional LIS Education Programmes”

Register and join the IFLA WLIC 2021 'Let's work together for the future', 17-19 August 2021. 

 

Robust engagement and creative approaches to adopting, supporting and promoting the IFLA Guidelines

IFLA WLIC 2021: A Solutions Room on Implementing the "IFLA Guidelines for Professional LIS Education Programmes": Stakeholder Perspectives and Buy-in Locally and Globally, with IFLA President Christine Mackenzie, President-Elect Barbara Lison and others:

When:  August 18, 9-10 pm Chicago (CDT) / 10-11pm New York (EDT) / August 19, 4-5 am The Hague (CEST) / 10-11 am Beijing (CST) / 12-1 pm Melbourne (AEST)

Where:  (Libraries Enable - Zoom Discussion Room 1) - WLIC registration required.

The session will bring leaders and stakeholders together for robust engagement and creative approaches to adopting, supporting and promoting the IFLA Guidelines to develop LIS education programs, appropriate to a diverse community and relevant to its local contexts in a globalised economy. The IFLA Building Strong LIS Education (BSLISE) Working Group will explore how the IFLA leadership, staff, and units, as well as other appropriate LIS entities, can move the Guidelines forward. Moreover, the deliberations will inform the implementation of the Guidelines, and its alignment with opportunity #10 in IFLA’s Global Vision: We must give young professionals effective opportunities to learn, develop and lead. The Section on Education and Training, the Library Theory and Research Section, and LIS Education in Developing Countries SIG will consider the input and perspectives shared in the Guidelines implementation process.

Speakers:

• Christine Mackenzie (Australia) – Welcome to Solutions Session on “IFLA Guidelines for Professional LIS Education Programmes”
• Jaya Raju (South Africa) – Setting the Stage for the “IFLA Guidelines for Professional LIS Education Programmes”
• Clara M. Chu (United States) – Global North Stakeholder Perspectives and Buy-in
• Diljit Singh (Malaysia) – Global South Stakeholder Perspectives and Buy-In
• Barbara Lison (Germany) – IFLA’s role in the implementation of new “IFLA Guidelines for Professional LIS Education Programmes”

A new IFLA survey gathers insights on the state of libraries in the digital ecosystem in 2021.

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) is a global initiative that brings together stakeholders committed to leveraging ICT for development and bridging the digital divide. It was launched as a UN-sponsored summit in 2003 and 2005, where connecting libraries was identified as one of the WSIS Targets - an important step towards ensuring that everyone can benefit from the internet and ICTs.

A 2014 large-scale WSIS review and stock-taking report outlined the progress made in delivering on this target, and the key roles libraries play in the information society: their contributions to digital inclusion, skills-building, access to knowledge and information, and availability of cultural and local digital content.

Annual WSIS reporting: insights from the library field

Since then, annual reporting helps track the continued implementation of WSIS goals, targets and action lines. As part of this process, key stakeholders from various fields are invited to submit inputs every year. As IFLA has the opportunity to put forward insights from the library field’s perspective, we want to hear from you and to highlight the information society trends and practices which are most relevant for your libraries!

To help gather inputs from the global library field, we have launched a survey where you can share your insights and experiences with:
-    The state of library connectivity in your area;
-    ICT-based library services that help meet the needs of their constituencies (e.g. digital inclusion, digital skills training, access to cultural, educational or scientific digital materials);
-    External trends and developments that shape libraries’ ICT-based services;
-    Libraries’ web presence; and more.

Would you like to contribute to this year’s WSIS reporting around libraries? Take part in the survey by 30 September 2021!

Access the IFLA survey through Alchemer. You can also read WSIS report inputs from the global library field perspective from previous years – for example, 2019 and 2018.

Ministers from the G20 Nations met in Rome from 29-30 July for the first meeting devoted to Culture in the history of the G20.

The result of this meeting was the unanimous adoption of the “Rome Declaration of the G20 Culture Ministers” [link]. This document builds on momentum from culture-related meetings on the margins of the Saudi G20 Presidency, and reflects the aims of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 74/230 on Culture and sustainable development adopted by the General Assembly in 2019.

This Declaration inserts culture firmly in the G20 process, recognising it for its social and economic value, and stating a commitment to the protection of cultural heritage and expressions at risk.

Founding Principles (and what they mean for libraries)

The declaration centres on five guiding principles, all of which align with values of the library field and IFLA’s high-level advocacy work.

Culture and Creative Sectors as Drivers for Regeneration and Sustainable and Balanced Growth

This principle upholds culture as a foundation for relaunching prosperity, social cohesion and the well-being of people and communities, and especially as a force of resilience and regeneration in COVID-19 recovery and beyond.

It calls for policymakers to consider the needs of the culture sector in recovery efforts in order to fully realise the transformative power of culture for building back better.

For libraries:

This is very much in line with the #culture2030goal Statement on Culture and the Covid-19 Pandemic on which IFLA is signatory [more here].

Delivering on library values such as lifelong learning, promoting digital inclusion, media and information literacy, enabling access to information, and the preservation of and access to cultural heritage are essential for harnessing the power of culture for building back better.

For example, over the course of the 2021 International Year of the Creative Economy for Sustainable Development, we have been exploring how libraries can take action to support cultural and creative actors [more here].  

Protection of Cultural Heritage

The Ministers expressed their deep concern over threats to cultural heritage from natural and human-caused disasters, including through purposeful destruction of heritage during armed conflict, illicit trafficking of cultural property, and destruction associated with climate change. 

They highlight the importance of common and coordinated research and action to strengthen the safeguarding and promotion of cultural diversity and cultural heritage in all forms – this includes the documentary heritage collections held in the world’s libraries.

For Libraries:

This Declaration recognises the need for strengthening and developing effective, sustainable, inclusive and coordinated management models and tools for protecting cultural heritage at risk. Libraries and documentary cultural heritage experts can play a vital role in developing these models and tools, as well of course as benefitting from them.

For example, note this recent article updating on the Himaya project, and initiative from Qatar National Library, host of the IFLA Preservation and Conservation (PAC) Centre, focussing on combatting trafficking of cultural property in the MENA region.

IFLA’s professional units are further involved with additional initiatives to combat trafficking – see the Fighting the Illicit Trafficking of Documentary Cultural Heritage guide here.

IFLA coordinates with fellow cultural heritage organizations and the international community on safeguarding of cultural heritage through our position on the board of Blue Shield International. See how you can get involved here.

Addressing Climate Change through Culture

In a milestone statement, this declaration acknowledges that all forms of culture offer enormous potential to drive climate action and sustainable development and contribute to finding climate solutions.

The Declaration calls for international bodies to anchor culture within the UNFCCC and other global agreements on climate action and in national policies and plans.

For libraries:

As libraries are protectors of documentary heritage, providers of information, and hubs of communities, they are vital in building resilience and inspiring climate action.

Libraries are spaces to create community and construct new ideas, informed by the resources that libraries offer. They can enhance climate change education, training, public awareness, public participation and public access to information, as called for in Article 12 of the Paris Agreement [for more, see Libraries and the Paris Agreement].

IFLA participates in the Climate Heritage Network to further the role of libraries, and all cultural institutions and actors, in international climate action processes. Further discussion and the development of resources is being carried out in IFLAs Environment, Sustainability and Libraries Section.

Building Capacity through Training and Education

The Declaration underlines the need to enable cultural and creative professionals with training and education opportunities to build new capacities. This includes digital, technological, accessibility-related capacities.

It further recognises the value of connecting scientific, educational and professional systems, to promote synergies between cultural, social, environmental and economic decision-making and policies.

For libraries

The Cultural Ministers recognise the role of libraries, among other cultural actors and institutions, as key to developing these training and education opportunities.

As libraries champion lifelong learning and are at the crossroads of a variety of knowledge and resources, they can be key players in creating these cross-sectoral synergies, which allow multi-disciplinary, and multigenerational, transfer of knowledge.

Digital Transition and New Technologies for Culture

Especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Declaration recognises the importance of digital access, which includes measures to protect against risks posed by disinformation, misinformation, and fosters the creation and promotion of diverse linguistic and cultural content.

The Declaration further calls for action to overcome the digital divide, which has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic with the possibility to draw on public access facilities limited. They call for actors like libraries to work to enable access to culture through “digital tools supported by media and information literacy training, with consideration for the intellectual property rights of creators and performers of cultural content”.

For libraries:

IFLA highlighted the role of libraries in the protection and promotion of cultural expressions in the digital environment during the 3rd Civil Society Forum of the 2005 Convention this year.

Through these, IFLA upheld that equitable digital transformation means addressing a lack of digital skills and competencies, a lack of physical access to technology, lack of access to relevant content, a lack of internet access, and a lack of institutions and community spaces which provide these opportunities to their communities - both among creators, and the broader public. Libraries can address all these aspects of digital transformation.

Especially during the pandemic, IFLA has continued to call for balanced copyright laws that enable remote access to resources, and preservation of digital and digitised heritage.

Adequate Laws and Provisions for Preservation

In too many countries, libraries do not benefit from laws that facilitate their activities to preserve and safeguard heritage for the future. More still do not have provisions in copyright that make it clear that digitization can be carried out without needing to seek permissions or make payments.

This represents an unnecessary barrier to a key public interest mission of libraries, alongside archives and museums.

The Declaration therefore includes welcome recognition of the need for transnational cooperation in the field, and the development of policies that make it easier to carry out work to preserve, and allow for access, reuse and education

For libraries:

This is a welcome recognition at the highest level of the importance of progress towards international action on preservation and copyright, in order to ensure not only that libraries globally enjoy at least the same basic legal possibilities, but also that they can cooperate across borders.

IFLA will highlight this message in its engagement at the global level, and encourages Members to do the same in their own advocacy around better copyright laws for our institutions.

What’s Next

The Declaration urges governments to recognise the potential of culture and creativity as an integral part of wider policy agendas on issues such as social cohesion, employment, innovation, health and well-being, the environment, sustainable local development and human rights.

They call for work to promote and protect culture and cultural heritage to be carried out in cooperation with international organisations – a call IFLA wholeheartedly supports.

We hope that culture will continue being an integral part of the G20 workstream in the future, and that libraries around the world will be able to take the messages of the Declaration, and incorporate them into their advocacy.

At IFLA, we will continue advocating for the critical role of libraries in delivering on these founding principles. We are ready to work across our organisation to build the advocacy capacity of our members, and amplify their impact at the international level. 

The IFLA Document Delivery and Resource Sharing (DDRS) Standing Committee is pleased to announce the 17th Interlending and Document Supply (ILDS) Conference, hosted by Qatar National Library in Doha, Qatar from 8 to 10 March 2022.

Under the conference theme, “Sharing To Heal: Resource Sharing Through the Pandemic and Beyond,” the DDRS Standing Committee would like to challenge the interlending and document supply community to consider strategies and solutions that were created during the pandemic and how libraries across the world demonstrated resilience and used new tools and initiatives to share information.

If you have experiences to share, we are accepting proposals in English and Arabic related to the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Suggested topics may include but are not limited to:

• ILDS During COVID: Challenges and Initiatives
• ILDS After COVID: ILDS Redesigned
• Staffing
• Open Access and ILL: A Global Solution?
• Copyright
• Digital Access
• Assessment
• Collaboration
• Library Buildings

Key questions

Key questions we wish to examine in the conference include:

1. How the pandemic impacted the DDRS community, what challenges we faced as librarians and researchers, and what solutions we developed.
2. How the pandemic changed the face of DDRS and how the service was redesigned through new initiatives, new technologies, global solutions and collaborative projects such as HERMES.

Proposals

Proposals for papers should be sent to Peter D. Collins (collinsp@oclc.org) no later than 30 September 2021 and should include the following details:

1. Author(s) name, title, institution and contact information
2. Brief biographical sketch
3. Title of paper
4. Abstract (200 to 300 words)

For more information, visit the 17th IFLA ILDS Conference website.