News

On 27 July 2022, the new version of the IFLA-UNESCO Public Library Manifesto 2022  was jointly launched by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and Information for All Programme (IFAP) at the 87th World Library and Information Congress 2022 (WLIC) in Dublin, Ireland.

The launch event also celebrates the 75th anniversary of partnership between UNESCO and IFLA and 30 years of establishment of the Memory of the World Programme.

A dedicated UNESCO-IFLA 75th anniversary session was organized on 28 July 2022, bringing together UNESCO representatives and IFLA’s network of library professionals. Participants focused the discussion on ways to move towards greater engagement between UNESCO and library professionals at the international, regional, and national levels.

• I warmly congratulate the long-standing cooperation between UNESCO and IFLA, specifically through the Information for All and the Memory of the World Programmes. IFLA has brought its expertise and experience to bear on UNESCO’s activities aimed at promoting access to information and protecting documentary heritage. / Tawfik Jelassi, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for the Communication and Information

• The IFLA-UNESCO Public Library Manifesto 2022 is not only a vital reference point for public libraries around the world, but a central illustration of what UNESCO and IFLA can achieve together. The update of the Manifesto is an important step and a new basis for reinforced action for all library users globally. / Barbara Lison, President of IFLA

Xianhong Hu presented the work of the IFAP and stressed that the new version of the Public Library Manifesto well reaffirms UNESCO's belief in the public library as a driving force for building knowledge societies and reflects every single one of IFAP’s priorities.  She also pointed out that the new Manifesto highlights public library’s unique role in tackling the emerging challenges of digital transformation, combating disinformation, and advancing human rights online for achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.    

All the participants supported the IFLA-UNESCO Public Library Manifesto as a timely and powerful tool for library advocacy and started to plan actions and join synergies via a global network of libraries and librarians to implement this manifesto at all levels.

IFLA-UNESCO Public Library Manifesto
The Manifesto was created in 1949 and has been updated over the decades as the role of libraries in society evolves. Since 2020, IFLA and IFAP have collaborated to update the Manifesto in order to consider changes in technology and society and ensure that the Manifesto continues to reflect the realities and mission of public libraries today.

The IFAP Bureau unanimously endorsed this updated version of the UNESCO-IFLA Public Library Manifesto on 19 July 2022, encouraging national and local governments to actively support and engage in the development of public libraries. For 20 years, IFAP and IFLA have been benefiting from their long-lasting fruitful partnership to promote public libraries as a public good from which each and every one can benefit.

URL: bit.ly/3SLe4x1