(7 Jul 2021) The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) announced the five finalists for the annual Public Library of the Year award, which honours newly built public libraries. Libraries are assessed according to how they combine functional architecture, information technology, and local culture. This year’s shortlisted institutions include libraries in Australia, Belgium, Norway,…
(14 Jun 2021) A survey conducted in March of 2020 by the American Library Association found that 99 percent of the public libraries that responded were closed because of the pandemic. But the association, whose membership includes 20,000 public library employees, found many libraries nonetheless added virtual programming, distributed free craft supplies, put together book bundles for families…
(28 May 2021) ALIA’s Special Libraries Working Group has put together this directory of special libraries to support collaboration. The directory is not a comprehensive listing, but it does identify like-minded individuals working in similar situations. The aim is to enable people to share non-competitive information, insight, expertise, ideas and resources; to improve the sense…
(21 May 2021) The latest issue of the IFLA Asia & Oceania Regional Newsletter is now available. In this issue: UN SDGs: Preserving Nusantara Manuscripts and Supporting Sustainable Cities and Communities Development, by National Library of Indonesia Connecting Generations to Build Technology Skills at the Library, by Shoalhaven Libraries, Australia University Library’s Modernisation Improves…
(25 May 2021) Dear Library and Music Lovers! IFLA New Professionals Special Interest Group (NPSIG) presents their first music competition for librarians! We want to see the important role libraries and music have in your life. What do you need to prepare? A song with melody and with lyrics if you would like. In your music…
(3 May 2021) A new IFLA report highlights greater understanding of the contribution of libraries to delivering the UN 2030 Agenda among local governments, in a wider range of areas, than in national reviews of SDG implementation. Voluntary Local Reviews represent an increasingly important part of overall efforts to monitor the implementation of the…
(3 May 2021) In a year complicated by a global pandemic, the community of vendors providing technologies to libraries made important strides to meet pressing needs and make ongoing progress in their longer-term initiatives. Though the pandemic disrupted library services—as well as funding—in 2020, concerted efforts were made to fulfill the demands of users to…
(22 Apr 2021) Closely aligned to IFLA Key Initiative 2.4 “Provide tools and infrastructure that support the work of libraries”, IFLA’s Library Publishing Special Interest Group (IFLA LibPub SIG) is focused on an identified trend which has emerged over the past decade: libraries taking on a visible role along the publishing continuum. This concerns not only scholarly materials by academic libraries (articles, reports,…
How do you move 20,000 heritage newspapers from Whanganui to Wellington? And no, the answer isn’t one paper at a time. Planning and a dedicated team are key. (21 Apr 2021) Wairere House in Whanganui has housed National Library collections for more than 20 years…Although the building has served the National Library for over two…
(1 Apr 2021) ALIA has published a report, ALIA working for special libraries 2016-2021, which highlights the Association’s initiatives in supporting Australian special libraries over the last five years. In 2016, at the ALIA National Conference in Adelaide, 28 leaders from special libraries in government, health, law, research and other fields came together to discuss the…