For me, this was on full view during my international travels representing ALA last year. When other library workers and I attended the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions’ World Library and Information Congress (IFLA WLIC) in Dublin, Ireland, in July, we heard from Mary Robinson, the first female president of Ireland who now … Continue reading A Global Impact
Between August 17–19, the virtual conference drew thousands of attendees from around the world to more than 150 sessions with topics that ranged from digital controlled lending to new skill sets for school librarians to climate impact on libraries. Drawing inspiration from 2019–2021 IFLA President Christine Mackenzie’s theme “Let’s Work Together,” the 86th WLIC focused … Continue reading IFLA: Working Together for a Better Future
On August 18, the IFLA News Media Section presented “Libraries Enable News Literacy: Finding Solutions to Fake News.” Moderator Ana Krahmer, director of the Digital Newspaper Unit at University of North Texas Libraries, talked with panelists about how to support information literacy for the public. Presenters included data scientists Katharina Beckh and Vishwani Gupta from … Continue reading IFLA: Closing Virtually with a Call to Action
She was referring to social change, specifically the ability of libraries around the world to react to it and facilitate it. Mackenzie, along with Merve Yavuzdemir, foreign relations branch manager at the General Directorate of Libraries and Publications in Turkey, discussed world events that have led to social changes and affected library services. Mackenzie outlined … Continue reading Taking a Stand
Current IFLA President Glòria Pérez-Salmerón (2017-2019) gave her farewell address in which she expressed her belief in a shared mission and encouraged attendees to do more together. Libraries are equalizers and catalysts, she said, and should look for opportunities to do more and do better. IFLA and its librarians have worked toward the UN Sustainable … Continue reading IFLA: Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Antoine Torrens-Montebello, director of Compiègne City Libraries in France and outgoing chair of NPSIG, and Anya Feltreuter, director of Mjölby (Sweden) Public Library, comoderated the session, which opened with the library-set music video of Tears for Fears’ song “Head Over Heels.” Catharina Isberg, library director at Helsingborg (Sweden) City Library, emphasized the power of love … Continue reading IFLA: Global Library Love
This session, chaired by Ann Okerson, senior advisor on electronic resources at the Center for Research Libraries in Chicago, featured presentations by members of the Offline Internet Consortium: IFLA, Bibliothèques Sans Frontières (BSF), and Arizona State University (ASU). Presenters showcased initiatives and programs that bridge the digital divide by providing resources and access to networked … Continue reading IFLA: Providing Access without Connection
“How can libraries best serve populations during a global economic crisis or make sense of government data?” was the question posed by Jim Church, librarian for economics and international government information at UC Berkeley and chair of IFLA’s Government Information and Official Publications section, which sponsored this program. Thanos Giannakopolous, director of the United Nations … Continue reading IFLA: Libraries, Data, and the Global Financial Crisis
The session was sponsored by the Knowledge Management and Information Technology sections with the Big Data special interest group. Frank Cervone, director of information technology for the University of Illinois at Chicago’s School of Public Health, kicked off the program by asking, “Is AI real?” AI has been actively embedded in public and personal spaces, … Continue reading IFLA: Artificial Intelligence and Data Mining
According to the session’s moderator, May Chang, chief technology officer for University of Cincinnati (Ohio) Library, urbanization and population growth continue to put pressure on local and federal governments to ensure a sustainable living environment. Supported by technology and data, many cities are deploying smart and connected applications in transportation and mobility, public safety, public … Continue reading IFLA: Smart Cities and Blockchain Development
This year’s theme invites the international community to discuss changes in the library community through 250 sessions, 500 speakers, and 17 local library visits that will give delegates opportunities to learn and network. IFLA President Glòria Pérez-Salmerón and Secretary General Gerald Leitner welcomed colleagues and announced their plans to launch the new IFLA Strategy 2019–2024 during … Continue reading IFLA: Dialogue for Change
On April 23, Garcia-Febo spoke at the National Library of Russia in St. Petersburg, focusing on ALA flagship projects—including advocacy, diversity, Preservation Week, and international relations—within the framework of modern libraries. The next day, she spoke at the Russian State Library in Moscow about how ALA resources help shape the future of libraries. On April … Continue reading Reaching Out to Russian Libraries
