75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “The common standard of achievement for all people and all nations”

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This year on the 10 of December we commemorate the Human rights day that will also be accompanied by a High-Level hybrid event on the 11-12 of December. Please see below for more information on this event. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, a landmark document that established […]

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Library ICTs for seniors and healthy ageing

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This year’s World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, an annual event led by the International Telecommunications Union, focuses on the theme of ‘Digital technologies for older persons and healthy ageing’. This is a good occasion to reflect on some of the lessons and ways to maximise the impacts of library ICT-based services and initiatives aiming […]

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World Press Freedom Day 2022 – freedom of expression under (digital) siege

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Particularly in times of crisis, reliable and verified information is urgently needed – and is itself in need of safeguarding. World Press Freedom Day 2022 highlights the evolution and acceleration of challenges to media freedom, independence, pluralism, and safety of journalists in a digital world. How do these relate to libraries’ own experiences as information professionals – and what lessons can we learn from these, to work together towards a stronger and freer media landscape?

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World Day of Social Justice: Libraries for decent work and opportunities for all

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The pandemic has had a profound impact on work and employment worldwide. A 2021 Call to Action by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) outlines the vast scope of these impacts: “… increased unemployment, underemployment and inactivity; losses in labour and business income, especially in the most impacted sectors; enterprise closures and bankruptcies, particularly for micro, […]

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Data Privacy in 2022: Taking stock and moving forward

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At the beginning of 2022, we are looking back on a busy and tumultuous year in the data privacy landscape. A glance at the discussions that took place during the 2022 Privacy Day – as well as throughout 2021 – can offer helpful insights for libraries’ own work to champion and speak up for privacy […]

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Libraries and Human Rights in 2021: Evolving circumstances, constant commitment

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Every year, international Human Rights Day on 10 December commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN General Assembly in 1948. This year’s theme – Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights – is a strong call to action to deliver on equality and fundamental rights for all, particularly in times of […]

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Banned Books Week: Amnesty International calls attention to the plight of people who are persecuted because of what they write or publish – in print and online

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This guest blog comes from Ed McKennon, Library Faculty, Glendale Community College, as well as the Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) Working Group for Banned Books. Read more about work between AIUSA and the American Library Association at bottom. Each year in late summer I take time to review the cases that Amnesty International has chosen […]

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EuroDIG 2021: Takeaway messages for libraries

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The 2021 edition of the European Dialogue on Internet Governance offers an opportunity to take stock of recent developments in the policies and practices within the digital ecosystem which can be of interest and impact libraries in Europe – and around the world. 1)    Moving ahead to champion Open Science Open Science, particularly its […]

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International Archives Day: together for transparency, accountability and access to information

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9 June marks International Archives Day – falling in the middle of a week dedicated to celebrating and highlighting the work of the archive and record management sectors. We warmly congratulate our colleagues across many types of institutions – from national to community archives, and of course libraries carrying out archival activities. We stand in […]

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GDPR, three years on: five lessons on data privacy and libraries

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When the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force in 2018, it ushered in major changes in the policy dialogue and practice around data privacy – both inside the EU and globally. Three years on, libraries continue to work to uphold their ethical commitments to privacy in the evolving policy landscape.

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