(17 June 2016) Library association leaders, IFLA leadership, staff and trainers participated in a milestone event for the Building Strong Library Associations programme in Manila, Philippines 30 May-2 June 2016. The first ever BSLA Global Meeting, hosted by IFLA in partnership with the Philippine Librarians Association (PLAI), highlighted the stories, challenges and successes from associations that have participated in the programme since the expansion of the programme to a regional model since 2014 across Africa, Asia and Oceania, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The programme has reached over 60 countries since commencing in 2010 and is continuing to work with new participants and supporters – from the newest to longer established associations, among them the Library and Information Association of Qatar, under establishment since 2014, and the Danish Library Association with a history of more than 100 years.
The meeting achieved a number of objectives:
- Reviewed and celebrated the outcomes and impact of the programme and projects from 2014 onwards
- Supported networking between associations and activities to support continued collaboration after participating in BSLA
- Raised awareness about trends and factors that will influence the role of associations and potential for advocacy in the future
- Reviewed the programme over its lifespan since 2010 to develop a future strategy and linkages with other IFLA programmes
During the meeting, associations made presentations about their achievements as a result of implementing a BSLA project with support from IFLA.
The story in full with photographs is here.
