From 18 to 21 August 2025, the 89th World Library and Information Congress of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA WLIC 2025) took place in Astana, Kazakhstan. Marked as the Congress with the largest attendance to date, this year’s event attracted nearly 1,700 participants from 114 countries, including directors of national libraries, information specialists, researchers, educators, librarians, interns, as well as representatives from leading publishers and library equipment enterprises worldwide.
The Vietnamese delegation, led by Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Anh, Deputy Director of the National Library of Viet Nam, actively participated in the Congress’s programs and activities, particularly in plenary sessions, seminars, and discussions focusing on key themes.
Delegates Attending the Congress
Under the theme “Uniting Knowledge, Building the Future”, more than 80 professional sessions and 15 sideline events were held during the Congress, covering such topics as artificial intelligence, big data, digital libraries, collection preservation, inclusiveness, and standards.
In her opening address, IFLA President Vicki McDonald (2023–2025 term) emphasized: “The Congress is a platform for sharing values and strengthening the collective voice of the library sector, affirming the importance of demonstrating that libraries are unafraid of change and are ready to embrace innovative solutions to better serve their communities.” (Report from the Congress Opening Session)
IFLA President Vicki McDonald (2023–2025 term)
During the plenary sessions, the Congress reviewed and voted on the Federation’s programs and plans for the upcoming term, with several key highlights:
- Establishing a framework for progress assessment against the target outcomes of the IFLA Strategy 2024–2029. A report based on data from the Federation’s membership survey was presented to evaluate performance for the 2024–2029 period, using five main criteria: members’ value, benefit, satisfaction, and engagement; awareness and use of resources; professional development; participation of IFLA’s volunteer units and Headquarters; and awareness of IFLA. (Full report available)
- The IFLA Trend Report 2024: “Facing the future of information with confidence” together with the skills Agenda encouraged libraries to proactively embrace futures thinking and foster co-creation, particularly with the emerging generation of leaders. The trends were closely interconnected, contributing to shaping libraries’ adaptive capacity and innovation in an increasingly volatile global context. (Full report available)
- The President’s Session (2023–2025 term) by Vicki McDonald, themed “Stronger Together”, concluded her presidency with a meaningful message. Over the past two years, in the context of global rapid changes and numerous challenges, her call for solidarity and collective strength proved both timely and influential. The session reaffirmed the value of adopting a thoroughly collaborative approach, not only within the library field but also in its wider engagement with the communities. Delegates were inspired by bold ideas and open-minded perspectives shared by leaders across the sector.
- The Incoming President’s Session (2025–2027 term) chaired by Leslie Weir, under the theme “Dare to Break Through”, offered not only profound insights into how libraries can achieve greater impact., but also outlined a roadmap for action to shape the future.
The discussions highlighted ways in which libraries can establish a common language with their partners, reaffirming their role as dynamic entities and as essential infrastructure for learning, while also emphasizing breakthrough innovations and other significant issues.
Incoming President’s Session – Leslie Weir: “Be Bold”
- The IFLA General Assembly was convened with the full attendance of delegates to review and decide on matters of importance to the Federation’s operations. Held in a hybrid format, both onsite and online, the session focused on key agenda items: the establishment of the Governing Board; adoption of the agenda; presentation of the President’s Report, the Annual Report, and IFLA’s Financial Report; announcement of the election results for the Incoming President and other Governing Board positions; as well as discussion and voting on proposals and resolutions. These included the proposal to approve the organization of the next General Assembly in August 2026, the proposal on membership fees for the 2026–2028 period, and the approval of the program for the Congress Closing Session.
Delegates casting their votes at the IFLA General Assembly
- In addition, there were sessions for discussion, presentation, and exchange on IFLA’s forthcoming activities, including consultations on the development of updated guidelines for multicultural library services; introductions of IFLA Committees such as the Advisory Committee on Standards; the ISBD, BCM, METATEC, and UNIMARC Review Groups; the Metadata Network; as well as the Sections on Bibliography, Cataloguing, Subject Analysis, and Access…
Delegates participating in a session on updating guidelines for multicultural library services
Alongside the plenary agenda, numerous workshops and thematic discussions took place in a vibrant atmosphere, attracting significant attention from delegates and featuring the active participation of the Vietnamese delegation. These sessions focused on key issues currently facing the library sector, including: preparing human resources for digital transformation and the application of artificial intelligence; developing and utilizing authoritative metadata; strategies for advocacy and sustainable financing; data standards and smart cataloguing; legal frameworks and copyright in heritage preservation; enriching and reflecting the diversity of digital collections; promoting equity and technological inclusion; responsible application of generative AI; and discussions on modern legal frameworks to ensure the right to access knowledge in the 21st century.
Delegates attending the Workshop Session: Standards – Building a Sustainable Future for Information
In addition to actively participating in the Congress programs, the Vietnamese delegation also carries out a range of meetings and exchanges with IFLA leadership, professional associations, national libraries of other countries, as well as with OCLC partners. These meetings not only contributed to strengthening and expanding international cooperation but also helped identify strategic directions and objectives to foster the sustainable development of the NLV in the coming period.
Activities of the Vietnamese delegation at the Congress
The Congress also selected, voted on, and conferred the 2025 Public Library of the Year Award to the Gabrielle-Roy Library, Canada, recognized as an inspiring model of how to completely transform service spaces into community-centered hubs, while incorporating a range of sustainable functions such as waste reduction and energy conservation.
Nominations for the Public Library of the Year Award
The IFLA Green Library Award was presented to libraries under the following themes: First Prize – James Baldwin Library, Paris, France: “James Baldwin Library: Sustainable Development Goals Inside a Sustainable Project”; Second Prize – Shenzhen Yantian Library, Guang Dong Province, China: “The Growth Library: Reading Without Borders, Growth with Sustainability”; Third Prize – Nashville Public Library, Donelson Branch, Tennessee, USA: “Retro Roots, Green Future: A Midcentury Marvel in Sustainability”.
James Baldwin Library, Paris, France
The IFLA Green Library Project Award 2025 was presented as follows: First Prize – Thammasat University Library, Bangkok, Thailand: “From Waste to Wealth: Green Library through Circular Economy”; Second Prize – Maison de environment, Lyon, France: “Lire pour Agir: The Socioecological Transition Book”; Third Prize – Manuel Viegas Guerreiro Foundation, Loulé, Portugal: “Our Common Home, heart of the Little Naturalists of Querença”.
The project “From Waste to Wealth: Green Library through a Circular Economy” by the Thammasat University Library, Bangkok, Thailand was recognized as the IFLA Green Library Project 2025.
The 2025 Special Recognition Award was presented to the Ivan Goran Kovačić Public Library, Karlovac, Croatia for the project “Green Festival – The Green Story of Karlovac”.
The IFLA PressReader International Marketing Award 2025 honored outstanding, creative, and community-oriented library marketing campaigns. First Prize was awarded to the Worcester Public Library, USA for its campaign “March Meowness” (valued €3,500), which became a phenomenon by accepting photos of cats as payment for overdue fines. Through this creative approach, the team succeeded in breaking down barriers and promoting library services in an engaging way. The jury selected this campaign for its clear reporting of impact and for demonstrating that great success can stem from creativity rather than substantial financial resources.
“March Meowness” Campaign, Worcester Public Library, USA
This year’s Congress featured a diverse and vibrant range of side events, including exhibitions, a cultural evening, networking opportunities with emerging library leaders, cultural product showcases, and study visits to libraries in Astana. At the Congress, more than 130 posters were displayed across two Poster Exhibition sessions, attracting significant attention from delegates. Presenters introduced and shared their ideas with visitors, turning the exhibition space into a hub for the exchange of initiatives and the celebration of creativity. The posters reflected the diversity and richness of the Congress theme, ranging from innovative reading promotion programs and community engagement activities to applications of digital technologies in library development. Each poster not only introduced a specific project or initiative but also distilled lessons learned, assessed effectiveness, and opened up new directions for the future. (For the full list of posters, see appendix).
Some Posters on Display
At the Closing Session, IFLA President Vicki McDonald delivered her end-of-term address, reviewing the progress achieved through her six commitments and reflecting on key milestones in her career dedicated to the library sector and to IFLA. Together with the IFLA Te Paea Paringatai, chair of the Professional Council, presented the IFLA 2025 Honors and Awards, including the Dynamic Unit and Impact Award, IFLA Scroll of Appreciation, and the IFLA Medal. The winner of the WLIC 2025 game “Take the Steppe” was also announced at the session.
Representatives of the WLIC 2025 National Committee (Kazakhstan) and the WLIC 2026 National Committee (Republic of Korea) delivered the remarks, highlighting the significance of the Congress for Central Asia, sharing experiences from hosting, and expressing expectations for the upcoming WLIC 2026 in Busan, Republic of Korea.
Closing Address by the New IFLA President – Leslie Weir
The Congress concluded with a closing address delivered by Leslie Weir, the newly elected IFLA President, marking the beginning of her 2025–2027 term. In her remarks, she shared profound insights drawn from her extensive professional career as a librarian, while conveying an inspiring message about IFLA’s mission and responsibility in an increasingly volatile global context. The new President emphasized her vision of a renewed, cohesive, and leading IFLA—one in which libraries continue to affirm their role as essential knowledge infrastructure, accompanying communities on their path toward sustainable development.
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News and photos: Thu Trang