International Federation of Library Association (IFLA)

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the main international association of library organisations, acting as a global voice of the library and information profession. 

IFLA’s objectives are to represent librarianship in matters of international interest, promote the continuing education of library personnel, as well as develop, maintain and promote guidelines for library services. The objectives are informed by IFLA’s endorsement of the principles of freedom of expression embodied in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the belief that people, communities and organizations need universal and equitable access to information, ideas and works of imagination for their social, educational, cultural, democratic and economic well-being, and the conviction that delivery of high quality library and information services helps guarantee that access.

IFLA identify their most important work as taking place in the various groups that make up the organisation where motivated people gather materials and work to further the profession. These take the form of  Core Activities – like Preservation and Conservation, Sections – such as Academic and Research Libraries, Special Interest Groups – one being Libraries and Web 2.0, and Joint Activities – for example, Digital Libraries. Two IFLA reports are available for download below.

IFLA was founded in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1927 when library associations from 14 European countries and the United States signed a resolution at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Library Association of the United Kingdom. IFLA has now grown to over 1,700 members in 155 countries, headquartered in the National Library of the Netherlands, in The Hague.