By providing access to information, libraries play a key role in supporting citizenship. They help expose people to ideas and information, encourage curiosity about the world, and provide space for civic activities, such as meetings and debates.
Read moreWhen COVID-19 began sweeping the world in the early months of 2020, public life made a collective retreat indoors. Schools closed, museums shuttered, and many libraries had no choice but to halt in-person services for their communities. On our COVID-19 and the Global Library Field page, IFLA has made an effort to aggregate methods by […]
Read moreFor library and information workers around the world, the main challenge faced is how to continue providing usual services in extraordinary times. In order to minimise disruption to education, research and access to culture, great efforts are being made to address legal, financial, technical and practical challenges. Yet for some in the library field, these […]
Read moreA core function of libraries is the support they provide for literacy. Traditionally, this has been through providing access to materials. Many librarians have brought their passion for books to their jobs, and encourage others to do the same. In some cases, libraries are involved in more formal efforts to build literacy, in particular among […]
Read moreAccess to information and culture is crucial to all human beings, especially often-marginalised groups such as women and girls. Libraries around the globe empower women, bridge the education gap and improve women’s health, welfare and position in society. 8 March is International Women’s Day – a celebration of womanhood but also a reminder of the […]
Read moreIn IFLA’s advocacy work, two recurring phenomena point to a key challenge that we need to overcome.
Read moreA particularly welcome trend in the past year at the United Nations has been evidence of growing recognition of the importance of knowledge and information in the achievement of wider policy goals.
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