[Pal-dc] Public Access issues at the World Library and Information Congress

[Stephen Wyber]

Dear all,

Ahead of IFLA's annual conference, this year held in Wroclaw, Poland, I wanted to give a bit of a flavour of some of the issues on the table, and things that will be published during the event. While time and resources haven't allowed for a dedicated session, the theme of public access has filtered into work across the board.

In terms of relevant publications, IFLA will (should) be publishing the following:


  *   A Statement on Internet Shutdowns, underlining in particular the need to invest in high quality, resilient infrastructure
  *   A Statement on Digital Literacy, stressing the importance of providing the space and support for people to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours necessary to get the best out of the Internet.

These join the Development and Access to Information<da2i.ifla.org> report published in July, which offers evidence of the importance of access, as well as of the role that libraries can play in making this access more meaningful. The report also offers a basket of indicators of access to information, as a means of gauging progress and identifying those who are making the most positive steps forwards.

In terms of particular sessions at WLIC, for those who may be attending, the below may be of interest:

19 August, 10:15am - 12:15pm, Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression, Business Meeting I, Oval 11
21 August, 4pm - 6pm, Women, Open Technology and Libraries, Open Discussion, Multifunctional Hall
22 August, 8am - 10:30am, Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression, Business Meeting II, Conference Room A
22 August, 9:30am - 12:45pm, How Libraries are Contributing to Delivering the UN 2030 Agenda, Multifunctional Hall
22 August, 1:45pm - 3:45pm, Information Inequality, Main Court
23 August, 9:30am - 11:30am, Engaged Communities - Transforming the Librarian Role, Auditorium Hall
23 August, 1:45pm - 3:45pm, Branding, Bridging, Building: Telling and Selling the Space Story, Main Court
24 August, 1:45pm - 3:45pm, Public Libraries as Place Makers in Today's Cities: Urban Development, Resiliency and Social Equity, IASE Conference Room

Many thanks,

Stephen

[cid:image001.png at 01D2E5C1.FA94F2C0]

Stephen Wyber
Manager, Policy and Advocacy, IFLA
stephen.wyber at ifla.org<mailto:stephen.wyber at ifla.org>
+31(0)703140884
Skype: dswyber
Twitter: @dswyber
www.ifla.org<http://www.ifla.org/>




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