IFLA Global Vision & Focus
Knud Schulz and Torbjörn Nilsson introductions
In the Nordic library organizations we believe that international cooperation can create a better world. That's one of the reasons why we meet, once a year, with all the other Nordic countries, discussing how we can strengthen cooperation between libraries for the benefit of people and society. (And I don't mention Trump at all)
This year we meet in Copenhagen and have a series of presentations and discussions, which you can see more about here www.biblioteksdebat.dk
3. IFLA – work in progress
Overview of Strategic Direction
1: Libraries in Society
2: Information and Knowledge
3: Cultural Heritage
4: Capacity Building
IFLA Global Vision Torbjörn Nilsson & Knud Schulz
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4. 1: Libraries in Society
Promoting reading and literacy as an essential requirement
for active participation in society, through acess to
information in any format
Introducing libraries on the agenda of international
organizations
Building on the IFLA Trend Report
Promoting IFLA standards to support libraries in the
provision of services to their communities
IFLA Global Vision Torbjörn Nilsson & Knud Schulz
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5. 2: Information and Knowledge
Defining a long-term, sustainable information environment
Advocating for an equitable copyright framework
Influencing the future of Internet governance
IFLA Global Vision Torbjörn Nilsson & Knud Schulz
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6. 3: Cultural Heritage
Establishing our network of Preservation and Conservation
Centres (PACs) as centres of expertice citical to safeguarding
documentary cultural heritage globally
Developing standards for the collection and preservation of
content in its diverse forms
Safeguarding documentary cultural heritage through
Disaster Risk Reduction
IFLA Global Vision Torbjörn Nilsson & Knud Schulz
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7. 4:Capacity Building
Promoting libraries within the United Nations 2030 Agenda
for sustainable Development
Delivering the International Advocacy Programme IAP
Advancing our Leadership Programme
Delivering our building Strong Library Associations
programme
Strengthening IFLA by building regional and sectoral
capacity participation across our activities
IFLA Global Vision Torbjörn Nilsson & Knud Schulz
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11. Example: Where did survey responses come
from?
1
1
IFLA Global Vision Torbjörn Nilsson & Knud Schulz
12. Six main
questions were
asked across all
discussions
What are the core values of libraries?
What are libraries exceptionally good at?
What should libraries do more of?
What should libraries do less of?
What are the main challenges to libraries?
What would be the characteristics of a united library field?
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IFLA Global Vision Torbjörn Nilsson & Knud Schulz
13. Ålan
d
Islan
ds
Den
mark
Faro
e
Islan
ds
Finla
nd
Icela
nd
Nor
way
Swed
en
Scandin
avian
countrie
s
TOTAL
Europ
e
countr
ies
TOTAL
Q1 What are the core values of libraries?
Q1.1
Equal and free access to information and
knowledge 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Q1.2
Commitment to dissemination of information
and knowledge 2 2 2 4 3 2 2
Q1.3 Freedom of expression 7 5 5 3 4 5 9
Q1.4
Commitment to community engagement and
empowerment 5 7 8 7 5 7 6
Q1.5 Protection of cultural heritage and memory 8 6 3 6 7 6 3
Q1.6 Diversity and inclusion 4 4 4 2 2 3 5
Q1.7 Dedication to learning 3 3 6 5 6 4 4
Q1.8 Professionalism and ethical conduct 9 8 7 8 9 8 8
Q1.9 Spirit of collaboration 10 10 9 10 10 10 10
Q1.10Embracing the shift to digital 6 9 10 9 8 9 7IFLA Global Vision Torbjörn Nilsson & Knud Schulz
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14. Ålan
d
Islan
ds
Denm
ark
Faroe
Islan
ds
Finla
nd
Icela
nd
Norw
ay
Swed
en
Scandina
vian
countries
TOTAL
Europe
countri
es
TOTAL
Q2 What are libraries exceptionally good at?
Q2.1
Providing opportunities for access to information and
knowledge 2 1 1 2 1 2 1
Q2.2Organising information and knowledge 4 4 4 3 4 4 4
Q2.3Disseminating and sharing information and knowledge 5 5 5 5 5 5 3
Q2.4
Preservation and conservation of cultural heritage and
memory 7 6 6 6 8 7 5
Q2.5Supporting learning, literacy and reading 1 2 2 1 2 1 2
Q2.6Developing and delivering inclusive services 9 8 9 9 7 8 8
Q2.7
Offering non-commercial, safe spaces for individuals
and communities 3 3 3 4 3 3 6
Q2.8Fostering research and innovation 8 9 8 8 9 9 9
Q2.9Contributing to the economic development 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
Q2.1
0
Providing access to and supporting the use of
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) 6 7 7 7 6 6 7IFLA Global Vision Torbjörn Nilsson & Knud Schulz
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15. Ålan
d
Islan
ds
Denm
ark
Faro
e
Islan
ds
Finla
nd
Icela
nd
Nor
way
Swed
en
Scandin
avian
countrie
s
TOTAL
Europ
e
countr
ies
TOTAL
Q3 What should libraries do more of?
Q3.
1 Advocacy 10 9 10 10 10 10 9
Q3.
2 Training and development of staff and leaders 6 6 5 6 5 5 5
Q3.
3 Partnership and collaboration 2 3 3 4 4 3 2
Q3.
4 Community engagement 3 2 4 3 3 2 4
Q3.
5 Promotion and marketing 7 4 8 8 8 8 8
Q3.
6 Embrace digital innovation 4 7 2 2 2 4 1
Q3.
7 Support learning, literacy and reading 1 1 1 1 1 1 3
Q3.
8 Measure impact 8 8 9 9 9 9 10
Q3.
9 Foster research and innovation 5 10 6 5 6 6 7
Q3.
10
Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) and the current social needs 9 5 7 7 7 7 6
IFLA Global Vision Torbjörn Nilsson & Knud Schulz
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16. Ålan
d
Islan
ds
Denm
ark
Faroe
Islan
ds
Finla
nd
Icela
nd
Norw
ay
Swed
en
Scandina
vian
countries
TOTAL
Europe
countri
es
TOTAL
Q4 What should libraries do less of?
Q4.1 Resisting and fearing change 4 6 1 3 5 4 3
Q4.2 Having a passive approach 1 2 6 2 2 3 4
Q4.3 Relying on collections instead of community needs 8 10 7 8 8 8 7
Q4.4Complaining 9 9 8 9 9 9 8
Q4.5
Being inflexible, bureaucratic and implementing too
many restrictions 5 5 4 4 3 5 2
Q4.6 Decision-making based on assumptions 6 7 9 7 6 7 10
Q4.7 Duplicating 10 4 10 10 10 10 9
Q4.8 Working in isolation 2 3 2 1 1 2 1
Q4.9 Maintaining outdated services and collections 7 8 5 5 7 6 6
Q4.1
0 Being shy and humble 3 1 3 6 4 1 5
IFLA Global Vision Torbjörn Nilsson & Knud Schulz
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17. Ålan
d
Islan
ds
Den
mark
Faro
e
Islan
ds
Finla
nd
Icela
nd
Nor
way
Swed
en
Scandin
avian
countrie
s
TOTAL
Europ
e
countr
ies
TOTAL
Q
5
What are the main challenges
to libraries?
Q5.
1 Insufficient library funding and investment 2 2 1 1 2 2 1
Q5.
2 Lack of skilled staff 9 7 8 7 9 8 7
Q5.
3 Ongoing technological changes 4 3 3 4 4 4 4
Q5.
4 Inadequate legal environment 7 10 10 10 10 10 9
Q5.
5 Ever increasing user-expectations 8 9 6 9 8 9 8
Q5.
6 Lack of leadership capacity 6 6 9 8 6 6 10
Q5.
7
Value of libraries not understood by funders
and stakeholders 1 1 2 2 1 1 2
Q5.
8 Inadequate infrastructure 10 8 7 6 7 7 6
Q5.
9 Image and status of libraries 3 4 4 3 3 3 3
Q5.
10 Managing change 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
IFLA Global Vision Torbjörn Nilsson & Knud Schulz
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18. Ålan
d
Islan
ds
Denm
ark
Faro
e
Islan
ds
Finla
nd
Icela
nd
Norw
ay
Swed
en
Scandina
vian
countries
TOTAL
Europe
countri
es
TOTAL
Q6
What would be the characteristics of
a united library field?
Q6.1
A Global Vision dynamically connected with local
strategies 5 9 7 6 4 7 6
Q6.2A united voice for strong advocacy actions 6 7 9 8 7 8 7
Q6.3Drawing on the strengths of all 9 6 6 5 9 5 8
Q6.4No silos 10 5 10 10 10 10 10
Q6.5Powerful partnerships and collaboration 1 3 2 3 3 3 2
Q6.6
Effective and efficient use and sharing of resources
and technologies 2 4 3 1 1 2 1
Q6.7
Commitment to quality Library Information Science
(LIS) education and development 7 8 5 7 6 6 5
Q6.8Strong leadership at all levels 8 10 8 9 8 9 9
Q6.9Motivated staff 3 2 4 4 5 4 4
Q6.1
0
Empowered libraries build more informed, literate
and participative societies 4 1 1 2 2 1 3
IFLA Global Vision Torbjörn Nilsson & Knud Schulz
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19. Reflections – discussion?
Nordic actions, network etc?
Nordic Collaboration – opportunities and interests in networking?
Global Vision – Nordic response and future engagement?
Public – academic libraries relations to IFLA? Future potentials?
Right to expressions and free access to information – IFLA/WLIC ?
IFLA active – specialized workfields/competences vs broader
library work?
IFLA Global Vision Torbjörn Nilsson & Knud Schulz
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