The 84th World Library and Information Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

On 24-30August 2018, the 84^th World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) was hold at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia. The theme “Transform Libraries, Transform Societies” with the additional tagline “Reaching out to the hard to reach” was selected in recognition of the critical role played by libraries in the development of a nation particularly in their ability to transform societies.The congress attracted over 3,500 delegates from 112 countries, with over 250 scientific presentations, seminars, open sessions, more than 600 speakers and 120 posters sharing views about library development trends and experiences in operating library activities, such as: building library development policies and policy orientation of each country, challenges in library activities, public libraries, digital libraries, preservation of materials, library facilities and buildings, user services, legal deposit and copyrightissues, organization and usage of library software, digital libraries, library standards, trends in development of library technology, new technologies for libraries… In addition, IFLA also live streamed highlights of the WLIC to a worldwide audience, without charge (over 17 hours and 9 sessions). The results were more than 100,000 people around the world, in over 70 countries of all continents followed the live-stream through IFLA’s WLIC website, YouTube and Facebook.

On the sidelines of the IFLA WLIC 2018, a poster display and an exhibition of library equipment, technologies and solutions were held from August 26-28 on such topics as green libraries organization model, digitizing devices, preservation devices, electronic publications, automated self-check materials solutions, automated statistics solutions…This activity has attracted over 200 booths of big organizations and enterprises on the library industry, such as OCLC, SAGE Publishing, ProQuest, Mitak, Malaysia Library Association, National Library of Indonesia, National Library of Russia, Indus, German Libraries, ISI Emerging Market Group…

The National Library of Viet Nam sent 3 staff to the IFLA WLIC 2018. The delegation has actively participated in important sessions of the congress, including the “IFLA World Library Map” project, IFLA President’s session “Motors of change: Changing ourselves to change our world”, IFLA General Secretary session launching success of the “IFLA Global Vision” project’s first phase with the summary report stating 10 highlights and 10 opportunities, and announce the next phase – Ideas Store website in 7 languages (the sites will welcome ideas by September 30, 2018 at https://ideas.ifla.org/); the IFLA President-elect session “Let's work together: collaborating and partnering to achieve IFLA's vision”, open sessions about ASEAN libraries, strategic programme on preservation and conservation with rare books and special collections, libraries and social networks, planning for long term digital preservation, reference and information services, investing in the library workforce... At these sessions, there have been many ideas and initiatives to facilitate young librarians and young professionals in the library and information sector be involved in the important works and join the library leadership.

Within the IFLA WLIC 2018 framework, the NLV delegation has also joined the Conference of Directors of National Libraries (CDNL) to be held at Malaysia Royal Museum with about 80 delegates from 46 countries who are directors, deputy directors and representatives of national libraries in the world. Report of Ms. Lily Knibbeler – Director General of the National Library of Netherlands, President of CDNL term 2018-2021 focused on united strategies and management approaches of national libraries world wide. The paper presentations at the conference highlighted the connectivity between national libraries among different continents and the communities, the linkage data of cultural heritages on the web, digital unification – connectivity to document heritage, new service solutions for national libraries... At this conference, IFLA General Secretary has had a presentation about activities of IFLA, the Global Vision project and their impacts on library development, influences of libraries on higher education; roles of national libraries on advocating governments for supporting the common goals of the library sector...

At the closing session of the 84th Congress, IFLA President Gloria Pérez-Salméron and IFLA Secretary-General Gerald Leitner delivered the summary of the Congress and closing remarks, hold the IFLA awards ceremony to grant awards and medals to individuals and libraries have outstanding contributions to the library career and to the 84th IFLA; and announced venue of the IFLA WLIC 2019 in Athens, Greece.

Some photos of the IFLA WLIC 2018:

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