July 2023 — Vol. 3, No. 7
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THE SUSTAINABILITY ISSUE |
Welcome to the July 2023 edition of the IFLA Newsletter!
This editorial comes to you from the team of librarians representing the field at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in New York.
This is the biggest event in the annual Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) calendar, with thousands of people from governments, UN agencies, civil society and beyond meeting in person and online, to assess progress towards the SDGs.
It is clear - there is a strong sense of concern about whether the world can achieve the SDGs in the seven years remaining. But there is also hope that if we both intensify efforts, and do things in a more evidence-based, coherent and purposeful way, it is still possible to succeed. |
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A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SNAPSHOT – LATEST IFLA WORK |
With a focus on the 2023 High Level Political Forum, IFLA has developed a range of materials that, we hope, will not only offer useful insights to colleagues around the world but also tools that can help you in your advocacy. |
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WLIC 2023 UPDATE |
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Join us in the WLIC Carbon Footprint Challenge! |
Get ready for a game-changing web app exclusively designed to calculate the carbon footprint of your journey from home to the Rotterdam Ahoy Convention Centre to attend WLIC 2023.
Everybody is invited to join the challenge! The top achievers who showcase their commitment to sustainability with the lowest carbon footprints will receive a prize.
If you are eager to learn more and join the race towards a greener future, mark your calendars for 24 July, when additional information will be made available on our website. Stay tuned! |
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Attending WLIC 2023 virtually? Here's what to expect! |
With our hybrid, accessible, and tailored approach, from Rotterdam to the rest of the world, our virtual participants at WLIC 2023 can look forward to an enhanced interactive experience.
This will include live broadcasts and access to sessions, region-based virtual meetings, real-time online chat, and posters voting! |
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iPlanner: your guide through the conference |
As we get closer to the conference, you're probably considering which sessions you want to attend, who you want to meet up with and how to fit in time to browse the exhibition.
The iPlanner is an application that allows you to create an account and keep track of the sessions and meetings you wish to attend. You can work through the programme, day by day, and select certain sessions as your favourites.
Now available on the website, and soon as an app! |
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Book tips for those who want to understand Dutch people and Rotterdammers |
Next month, it's finally time for IFLA WLIC 2023 to welcome library and information professionals from all over the world in Rotterdam. In other words, it's high time to prepare for your visit to the Netherlands! And what better way for a library person like yourself to do so than by reading a book (or several books)?
Read on for a few book tips! |
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Sightseeing & jogging across Rotterdam's most iconic bridges |
Eager to enjoy Rotterdam's exhilarating skyline, and get your congress day off to an active start at the same time?
Then join the early morning run on Tuesday 22 August. We will gather at the Centrale Bibliotheek branch of Bibliotheek Rotterdam at 07.30 (address: Hoogstraat 110). Read on and register at the counter in the Rotterdam Ahoy Convention Centre! |
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👉 Follow the WLIC social media accounts below to ensure you don't miss any updates! |
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IN THE FIELD |
IFLA's President Barbara Lison joined the American Library Association Annual Congress in Chicago on 22-27 June to exchange with members and colleagues, as well as talking to IFLA's publishing partner, de Gruyter, with conversations about libraries and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Alongside IFLA's Secretary General Sharon Memis, she also visited the location of our 2023 World Library and Information Congress, as part of our preparations for next month!
IFLA's President-elect, Vicki McDonald, spoke at the International Conference on Library and Information Science, organised by the Sri Lankan Library Association on 27 June, engaging with Members there to understand their needs and priorities.
Meanwhile, IFLA's Secretary General, in addition to many bilateral calls with Members, spoke at the CILIP Conference in Birmingham, UK, on 12-13 July. |
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POLICY AND ADVOCACY |
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Calling all libraries and library associations: How do you power climate communication and education? |
Climate communication and education are important aspects of Action for Climate Empowerment. Building climate literacy and helping others understand the climate crisis can help all members of society become more resilient and feel empowered to take action where they can.
Partnering with the Monitoring and Evaluating Climate Communication and Education (MECCE) Project, we are launching an initiative to help measure how libraries are making an impact on a global scale.
We need your input to make it happen! |
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Call for nominations: UNESCO Memory of the World 2024-2025 |
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Documentary heritage transmits an understanding of social, political, collective, and personal history. It offers more than a glimpse into the past – it transmits memory, knowledge, perspective, stories, and testimonies that are relevant to our world today.
Libraries around the world hold items in their collections that could be good additions to the international register. IFLA encourages our members to get involved with UNESCO Memory of the World by submitting a nomination for the upcoming cycle. |
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Supporting, integrating and delivering: Library associations and the SDGs |
A survey of library associations around the world has shown high levels of awareness and activity around the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. Associations in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Middle East and North Africa are particular engaged. |
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Record year for library references in Voluntary National Reviews of SDG implementation |
For the first time, over half of the official reviews of national efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as presented at the United Nations, refer to the contributions of libraries.
This is a welcome recognition of the work of our field. IFLA has prepared a report which explores and analyses these references, providing an advocacy tool for others in pushing for stronger recognition of and support for libraries in SDG delivery. |
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PROFESSIONAL AND DEVELOPMENT |
A worldwide conference with a flavour of sustainability: the IASL 2023 |
Luisa Marquardt, 2021-2023 Secretary and 2023-2025 Chair of the IFLA School Libraries Section, highlights the ways that school librarians can develop a culture of sustainability in their workplace and at their professional gatherings. Read more about the sustainability measures being taken at the 2023 AISL (Association of Independent School Librarians) Conference this week in Rome, Italy. |
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REGIONAL FOCUS |
Recording available! Middle East and North Africa Regional Division Committee: Launching of the Iraqi Portal of knowledge |
IFLA's Middle East and North Africa Regional Division Committee (IFLA MENA RDC) organised a webinar "Launching of the Iraqi Portal of Knowledge", with the Indexing and Information Systems Center of the Abbasid Shrine Library. |
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IFLA expresses concern for Sudan, urges an end to library destruction and looting |
The people of Sudan face an increasingly perilous situation following the outbreak of civil armed conflict in April 2023. Our primary concerns are humanitarian, and we call for solidarity with the people of Sudan, including its library and information workers – those still in the country and those who have been forced to flee. |
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OPEN CALLS |
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Call for trainers: Measurement, evaluation, and demonstrating impact of library services |
IFLA Headquarters is looking for librarians or library advocates to become trainers in order to build a pool of facilitators who can facilitate and teach a course on measurement, evaluation, and demonstrating the impact of library services. Two trainers per IFLA region will be selected. |
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IFLA joins the #ImALifelongLearner campaign |
IFLA is happy to participate in the #ImALifelongLearner campaign launched by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, to mark the anniversary of the Marrakesh Framework for Action. We encourage you to get involved also – find out more about how! |
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NEW MEMBERS |
Welcome to all our new members over the past month!
IFLA gratefully acknowledges the generosity of the King Abdulaziz Public Library, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, who have sponsored the 2023 membership fees for 15 libraries in the country. In addition, they held a workshop with these libraries to spread awareness of IFLA, its activities and the resources available to them. We look forward to their involvement and connection with other IFLA members. |
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The Central Library at Al Baha University - Saudi Arabia |
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From other locations across the world we welcome: |
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We look forward to your engagement and involvement! |
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SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT
Want to get featured here? Don't forget to use the #IFLA hashtag! |
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