Libraries Driving Access to Knowledge Danish Library Association Annual Meeting, Aalborg, Denmark, March 2009 Ellen Tise IFLA President-elect Senior Director: Library and Information Services Stellenbosch University

IFLAs global voice My Aalborg/Denmark/IFLA-story

What: What: International NGO based in The Hague Active since 1927 How: Figures: How: Member based; is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. Figures: nearly 1700 Members in 147 countries Purpose: Purpose: - Promote high standards of provision and delivery of library and information services - Encourage widespread understanding of the value of good library & information services - Represent the interests of our members throughout the world 6 IFLAs global voice

IFLA Core Values We believe that people, communities and organizations need for their physical, mental, democratic and economic well- being, free access to information, ideas and works of imagination

IFLA Advocacy Framework Comprehensive and effective: to complement the strategic priorities and take advantage of all of IFLAs activities Using global reach, existing networks and strategic partners in support of libraries To help libraries sustain themselves To empower national associations to stand up for libraries To make policy makers and funding agencies aware of the benefits libraries bring to their communities c8 IFLAs global voice

9 Statistics/Advocacy Tools Programme Professional Development Community Advocacy Political Advocacy IFLA Advocacy Framework Sustaining libraries and IFLA for the future

Partnership UNESCO Ecosoc NGOs: ICA, ICOM, ICOMOS, CCAAA WIPO IPA LIBER EBLIDA eIFL Frankfurter Buchmesse CDNL Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation SIDA WSIS and ICT 4D Organisations c10 IFLAs global voice

IFLA projects in 2008 FAIFE workshops on Internet Manifesto held in: Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Paraguay, Colombia, Abu Dhabi, Jamaica and Philippines ALP held training workshops all over the world: on literacy, information literacy and professional development CLM continued to lobby on behalf of libraries at WIPO and took up advising role in developing countries on copyright law in the digital age c11 IFLAs global voice

Advocacy Priorities for 2009 Develop new partnerships Strong advocacy on behalf of copyright exceptions and limitations for libraries at WIPO Maintain and expand involvement with Internet Governance Forum Develop research-driven evidence base to aid advocacy work Develop advocacy resources in association with MLAS Audit existing IFLA advocacy activities and incorporate advocacy framework into sections and core programmes Utilise new IFLA website and IFLA World Report 2009 in advocacy activities c12 IFLAs global voice

Libraries Driving Access to Knowledge

With a library you are free, not confined by temporary political climates. It is the most democratic of institutions because no one – but no one at all – can tell you what to read and when and how. Doris Lessing IFLAs global voice Paul Cézanne

What is knowledge...? Access to information, and knowledge generation are essential in a development process Knowledge can be a liberator from poverty and deprivation Springboard for breaking-through in the quest for innovation and change Access to information imperative for a society seeking new knowledge

Role of the Library Universally accepted that the library will serve as the vehicle for the acquisition of knowledge For this reason, libraries crowned knowledge institutions as they provide the public spaces for information sharing and learning Space that is accessible to all groups of society, regardless of gender, age, cultural or ethnic affiliation, economic or employment status, literacy or technical skills, etc.

Role of the Library Key actor in providing unhindered access to essential resources for economic and cultural advance Contribute effectively to the development and maintenance of intellectual freedom, safeguarding democratic values and universal civil rights Encourage social inclusion by serving all those in their communities

IFLAs global voice So how do, and can libraries drive access to knowledge?

IFLAs global voice Libraries must be user oriented 1.Bring the libraries and their resources to the users 2.Empower users through information literacy, social networking 3.Librarians are enablers – not gate-keepers 4.Facilitate participation in society by all citizens

IFLAs global voice Libraries must be user oriented - bring the libraries and their resources to the users -empower users through information literacy, social networking -librarians are enablers – not gate-keepers -facilitate participation in society by all citizens

IFLAs global voice Libraries and librarians must become active in advocacy -actively promote libraries -include the perspective of the users -communicate effectively with stakeholders -drive library policy -promote and support open access for all -become innovative information agents

IFLAs global voice The Library as place/space -libraries as WOW environments -libraries as community knowledge space -libraries as gate-openers to information

IFLAs global voice The role of libraries in social inclusion/knowledge as a gateway to inclusion -information for ALL -integrated services to immigrants -create content in format appealing to young people -libraries as a safe and trusted public space -enabling multicultural communities to have their voices heard

Libraries must create partnerships -partnership with user groups, such as health workers, teachers, environmentalists, etc. -partnership with commercial partners -partner to promote the broader library agenda -convergence with other cultural/knowledge institutions

James Baldwin

IFLAs global voice The End Thank you!