Without intercultural dialogue, peace and sustainable development are not possible. The UN World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (21 May) calls for recognition of the essential role that cultural diversity plays in enabling dialogue, building mutual understanding, and supporting better outcomes for all people. IFLA has long championed the cross-cutting role of […]
Read moreThe second set of posts in our 10-Minute Digital Librarian series has focused on helping users to stay safe online, through adopting good digital hygiene, as well as good cybersecurity in libraries themselves. At the heart of cybersecurity in particular is the effort to avoid unauthorised access to – or use of – important information, […]
Read moreLast year, the German book industry organisation – the Boersenverein – published research commissioned from GfK on library eLending, including comparative analysis between physical and eBook buyers and borrowers as regards their age, situation, and habits. This has been promoted by the Boersenverein as evidence that library eLending harms publishing, and that there is no […]
Read moreCompetition law and policy are not always high up the agenda for libraries. As public services, we are interested in overall approaches to the public sector. As part of the research and education infrastructure, we care about policies in these areas. As institutions depending on copyright exceptions and limitations to do our jobs, we care […]
Read moreWhile it is not without its critics, the PISA test remains a key reference point for education policy-makers around the world. By looking to test what fifteen year-olds can do in reading, maths and science around the world, it looks to provide a basis for thinking about what works in education. Understandably, therefore, for anyone […]
Read moreThe 2019 Human Development Report focuses on inequalities in human capabilities – freedoms and abilities to choose “what to be and do”, from meeting basic needs in shelter and nutrition to accessing high-quality education. Libraries have an important role to play in aiding and accelerating development – particularly in supporting vulnerable and marginalised populations. That is why several messages and suggestions laid out in the 2019 report are relevant for the work libraries around the world are doing today.
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