Imagine a world where everyone had access to books and had a passion for reading and learning. You’re sitting at the bus stop and everyone around you has a book in their hands, you’re in the cafeteria and people are actually talking about real issues and new books they’ve read, or you get to class and find that you actually understand what’s going on because you read about it somewhere before and you’re actually able to have a discussion because the rest of the class read too. That’s the kind of world the International Federation of Library Associations is trying to create.
The International Federation of Library Associations is an organization that’s main intention is to uphold the interests of library and informational services. It is the global voice for people in the field of library and information services and the people who use them. In order to progress their intentions, they have broken their plan into four main parts. They hope to shape libraries into places that promote literate and informed participative members of society, to create places that give equitable access to information, to protect cultural heritage in order to preserve all they can do for society, and finally to serve as an advocate for librarians and library representatives at all levels (IFLA). These plans are broken down even further into sub-plans that will help them to obtain their overall goal which is to ensure people are informed, have access to libraries, have a wide range of sources, and feel like they have a voice.
In partnership with the IFLA, is the ICDL or the International Children’s Digital Library. They provide free internet access to children’s books from around the world written in their original languages (IFLA). They rely on children as well as authors of children’s literature in order to make accessible and an expanding collection of historic and contemporary children’s literature. They aim to encourage children to read, prepare children to read, and combat illiteracy around the world.
Another organization partnered with the IFLA is the IBBY or the International Board on Books for Young People. They aim to bring books and children together worldwide (What is IBBY). Their mission is very similar to the ICDL’s mission and both their missions align with the goals of the IFLA. It makes sense that all these organizations are partnered together. They’re aiming to create a better world through the accessibility of information and knowledge along with encouraging a passion for reading from a young age.
Works Cited
“IFLA — About IFLA.” Accessed December 5, 2018. https://www.ifla.org/about.
“What Is IBBY: IBBY Official Website.” Accessed December 5, 2018.
http://www.ibby.org/about/what-is-ibby/.