Global challengies for libraries in an new era and IFLA positions in these

mattersSinikka Sipilä

IFLA President-electAnnual Conference, Swedish Library Association

Norrköping 7.5.2012

About IFLA

• IFLA is an independent, international, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization.

Our aims are to:• Promote high standards of provision and

delivery of library and information services• Encourage widespread understanding of the

value of good library & information services• Represent the interests of our members

throughout the world.

IFLA in a Nutshell

• A trusted global voice for libraries• All library sectors and activities covered• 1500 members in 150 countries• Founded 1927

Challengies for libraries

• Economical• Social• Technological• Political• Environmental• etc

IFLA Strategy 2010-2015

1. Empowering libraries to enable their user communities to have equitable access to information;

2. Building the strategic capacity of IFLA and that of its members;

3. Transforming the profile and standing of the profession;

4. Representing the interests of IFLA's members and their users throughout the world.

Key Initiatives 2011-2012

1. Digital Content Programme: Driving access to content, and digital resources, for library users

2. IFLA International Librarianship Leadership Development Programme: capacity building to raise the voice of the profession nationally, regionally and internationally

Key Initiatives 2011-2012

3. Outreach Programme for Advocacy and Advancement of the Profession: connecting, collaborating, representing strategically

4. Cultural Heritage Disaster Reconstruction Programme: Culture is a basic need, a culture thrives through its cultural heritage, it dies without it5. Multilingualism Programme: a multilingual IFLA website opens windows to the world

IFLA Presidential Themes 2003-2015

• Kay Raseroka: Lifelong literacy• Alex Byrne: Partnership and Indigenious

knowledge• Claudia Lux: Libraries on the Agenda (advocacy)• Ellen Tise: Libraries Driving Access to Knowledge

(open access)• Ingrid Parent: Libraries - a Force for Change!• Sinikka Sipilä: Strong Libraries = Strong Societies

Strong Libraries = Strong Societies : democratizing access to

knowledge through libraries

• Libraries enable, promote and enhance democracy by enabling access to knowledge

• Subthemes: • Access (free access to information and knowledge)• Inclusion (library services for all) • Profession (professional and association

development)

Photo: IFLA WLIC San Juan 2011 -Welcome to IFLA WLIC Helsinki 2012!