IFLA: looking to the future
| Published date | 01 January 2006 |
| Pages | 38-47 |
| Date | 01 January 2006 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120610647938 |
| Author | Peter Johan Lor |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
IFLA: looking to the future
Peter Johan Lor
Department of Information Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria,
South Africa
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to describe the current status of the International Federation
of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and outline the challenges it faces in the current
environment.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper is descriptive, based on published literature, internal
sources and participant observation.
Findings – IFLA, an international non-governmental organisation founded in 1927, has a history of
steady growth, which repeatedly necessitated structural adjustments and innovations. The pace of
change accelerated in the 1970s, when IFLA reached out to the developing countries to become a truly
international organisation. As IFLA entered the new millennium the rapid changes taking place in the
environment of libraries gave rise to much rethinking of its structures, procedures and practices,
including its membership, aims and values, governance and structure, core programmes, annual
conference and advocacy. A re-conceptualisation of IFLA based on three pillars – society, profession,
and members – is proving useful in rethinking IFLA’s future.
Originality/value – An up-to-date account of IFLA, of potential value to IFLA members and
institutions considering membership.
Keywords Librarians, International organizations
Paper type Case study
Introduction
Librarians have a long history of idealistic internationalism (see Harrison, 1989) and
practical international co-operation (Havard-Williams, 1972). For almost 80 years, the
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has served
the library profession as a forum for exchanging ideas, promoting best practice and
furthering international professional co-operation. As the information or knowledge
society dawns, there are new demands on IFLA. Rapid developments in information
and communications technologies are bringing about tectonic shifts in the economics
of information and in the relationships between the players in the information value
chain. Freed by worldwide connectivity and the internet from the constraints of
physical carriers and linear flow, information has become ubiquitous, indispensable,
dematerialised and yet inaccessible to many. The enclosing of the information
commons (Bollier, 2003) and disintermediation threaten to undercut the very basis of
the library as an institution. Librarians sharing the global village have ever more in
common, and ever more urgent reasons to join forces. But questions arise about the
future role of IFLA. Can IFLA continue to serve the library profession in these
changing circumstances? If so, how? What changes or adaptations are required of
IFLA?
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
The interpretations presented here do not necessarily represent the official position of IFLA.
LM
27,1/2
38
Received 19 October 2005
Accepted 4 November 2005
Library Management
Vol. 27 No. 1/2, 2006
pp. 38-47
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/01435120610647938
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