The 79th World Library and Information Conference (IFLA WILIC 2013) in Singapore

E-mail Print PDF

On 18th August 2013, the 79th World Library and Information Conference has officially opened at Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Singapore. For Southeast Asia reagion, this is the second time in the 85 year-history of IFLA hosts the Conference since the last IFLA WILIC 1999 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The IFLA WILIC 2013 took place on 18-22 August 2013 under the theme“Future Libraries: Infinite Possibilities”. The Conference has attracted 3,750 library and information experts from 120 countries in the world. Vietnamese delegation headed by the National Library of Viet Nam (the NLV), an official member of IFLA, has sent 18 delegates to the Conference.

8-20-2013-ifla-14

The Vietnamese Delegation at the IFLA WILIC 2013

To be a leading scientific forum of the library and information sector, IFLA WILIC 2013 has organized 223 sessions with approximately 400 papers for library and information professionals having the opportunities to share insights and shape policies that address global challenges affecting each local communities. In a world of exponential information growth, libraries are at the cusp of technological developments that are revolutionising information access and use, papers presented at the Conference have focused on the need for international collaboration to ensure equitable access to information and learning opportunities for every citizen, stated that libraries and information professionals have a vital role to play in harnessing the infinite possibilities that today’s technologies offer for information access and service delivery. Some sportlights at the IFLA WILIC 2013 are as the followings:

1. IFLA trend report identifies five top level trends which will play a key role in shaping the information society, spanning access to education, privacy, civic engagement and transformation:

  • Trend 1: New Technology will both expand and limit who has access to information.
  • Trend 2: Online education will democratise and disrupt global learning.
  • Trend 3: The boundaries of privacy and data protection will be redefined.
  • Trend 4: Hyper-connect societies will listen to and empower new voices and groups.
  • Trend 5: The global information environment will be transformed by new technologies

2. The UNESCO session with the theme “Preserving our past for the future” has highlighted the importance of long term preservation for the cultural heritage sector.

3. The President-Elect’s Planning session discussing about the implementation of the IFLA theme for the term 2013-2015 “Strong libraries, strong societies: Libraries promoting development” has focused on the concept of strong libraries as a foundation for strong societies in order to promote development. The session has agreed to approve the 6 basic areas that libraries should have active supports to promote development:

  • Education and Learning
  • Economic Development
  • Culture and Creativity
  • Democracy and access to information
  • Health and well being
  • Inclusive and tolerant societies

4. Adopt the IFLA statement on Libraries and Development which emphasizes the points that Access to information is a fundamental human right that can break the cycle of poverty and support sustainable development.  The library is the only place in many communities where people can access information that will help improve their education, develop new skills, find jobs, build businesses, make informed agricultural and health decisions, or gain insights into environmental issues. Their unique role makes libraries important development partners, both by providing access to information in all formats and by delivering services and programmes that meet the needs for information in a changing and increasingly complex society.

5. The Conference of Directors of National Libraries of the world (CDNL) with the participation of Directors and Representatives of over 100 countries has focused on 3 main themes that attract the most attention of the majority: (i) National Libraries of the Future, (ii) Digitisation of library collections and digital rights, (iii) Trend Report: Implications for National Libraries. The NLV with the paper entitled “Strengthening the resources and improving the role of libraries” has given out an impressed overview of the development of the NLV during the recent years. The report was appreciated by international colleagues as it has provided interesting information about information resource sharings.

8-20-2013-ifla-01

The National Library of Viet Nam’s delegates at the Conference of Director of National Libraries (CDNL 2013)

8-20-2013-ifla-11

Ms. Kieu Thuy Nga, Vice Director of the NLV presents paper at the CDNL 2013

Beside the official Congress programs, pre-IFLA Satellite Conferences have been held by the IFLA Sections on Rare Books and Manuscripts, Newspapers, Genealogy and Local History, Information Literacy, etc. on 14-17 August 2013, attracting the big number of delegates to participate in. The Vietnamese delegation jointed actively in the ASEAN Caucus which is held for the first time in IFLA’s history.

In addition, IFLA WILIC 2013 has attacted the participation of approximately 100 exhibiting organizations introducing a wide range of library products, new technologies, books and online services. Besides, the exhibition of over 100 unique posters under the title “Library Boulevard” has helped IFLA delegates to have an overview of library and information initiatives and projects around the world. The Vietnamese delegation contributed two posters that introduce the operation of the National Library and Vietnamese libraries.

Participating the IFLA 2013 Conference, beside attending the conference sessions to gain new knowledge and share experiences, the Vietnamese delegates have actively taken part in some Steering Committee Meetings of the Asia and Oceania Section with Ms. Kieu Thuy Nga, Vice Director of the NLV as a steering committee members; the Newspapers Section with Mr. Le Duc Thang, Head of Automation Division, the NLV as a steering committee member. The NLV has also been invited to participate in some special sessions as the Conference of Directors of the National Libraries world wide, the DDC users meeting, the ASEAN Caucus, the National Library-ExLibrit Annual Meeting, the President-Elect planning session for the term 2013-2015, etc. Besides, Ma. Le Thi Hanh, Director of the Library and Information Center, Hanoi Law University has been invited to deliver a presentation on the theme “Open access to official and authenticated legal information in Viet Nam”.

On the sideline of the Conference, Ms. Kieu Thuy Nga, Vice Director of the NLV has had dozen of meetings with international colleagues and partners opening many new international cooperation in the field of librarianship. Some typical meetings are the meeting with manager of the World Digital Library Program (WDL), with Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), IFLA-Special Library Association in Asia, Director of the Goethe Institutes’ Libraries in Asia and Parcific, German Libraries, National Library of France, Singapore, Malaysia, Iran, etc.

8-20-2013-ifla-09

Ms. Kieu Thuy Nga, Vice Director of the NLV discuss with Manager of the WDL

8-20-2013-ifla-10

Ms. Kieu Thuy Nga work with OCLC about translating and using Vietnamese DDC23

During the IFLA WILIC 2013, together with participating the conference programs, the Vietnamese delegates has actively jointed in libraries visit and partnership programs for librarians world wide such as ASEAN Caucus, IFLA 2013 Galanight, the LAS Award Ceremony, tour visits to the National Library of Singapore, etc.

8-20-2013-ifla-17

It can be said that, in a not very long time of preparing the Conference (18 months), the IFLA 2013 Organing Committee including IFLA and Library Association of Singapore have organized a very professional and effective Conference. With careful preparation in terms of the content, the thoughtfulness, hospitality of the host country, it can be evaluated that the IFLA WILIC 2013 has well completed its objectives and achieved great success.

The IFLA WILIC 2014 will take place on 16-22 August 2014 in Lyon, France with the theme “Libraries, Citizens, Societies: Confluence for Knowledge”.

IFLA-2013

.