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64th IFLA Conference Logo

   64th IFLA General Conference
   August 16 - August 21, 1998

 


Code Number: 101-87-E
Division Number: III.
Professional Group: Division of Libraries Serving the General Public Open Forum
Joint Meeting with: -
Meeting Number: 87.
Simultaneous Interpretation:   Yes

The Division of Libraries Serving the General Public -
A Survey

Ilona Glashoff
Chair of Division III.


Paper

The Division is a forum for the IFLA Sections and Round Tables comprising libraries serving the general public as well as (special) library services directed to specific groups of the general public, such as children, linguistic minorites, people with disabilities, people in hospitals or prisons.

The Division promotes the improvement of library services and information to all people, and coordinates the activities of its Sections, Round Tables and Working Groups. In recent years the Sections and Round Tables have worked cross-divisional and are cooperating in arranging joint meetings during the annual conferences.

The Division continues to be concerned that IFLA promotes literacy and reading promotion through libraries. This basic idea of libraries playing a more important role in combatting illiteracy throughout the world is supported both by IFLA Professional and Executive Board.

The Division has also, together with the Section of Public Libraries, contributed to the revision and promotion of the UNESCO Public Library Manifesto.

The Division consists of nine Sections and Round Tables. This paper gives a survey of the scopes, goals and projects of the different bodies. Most of the Sections and Round Tables also regularly publish newsletters presenting trends and activities.

SECTION OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES

The section provides an active international forum for the development and promotion of public libraries which serve the whole community in the context of the information society and ensure free and equal access to information at the local level.

Goals :

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SECTION OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES AND RESOURCE CENTRES

The Section of School Libraries and Resource Centers conserns itself with the improvement and development of school libraries and resource centers world-wide, especially advocacy for their qualified and adequate staffing. It provides an international forum for exchanging ideas, experiences, research results and advocacy.

The role of school librarians and information specialists is to encourage reading for pleasure, information and research. Library programmes and services, being wide ranging, are essential in meeting curricular needs and interests of students and teachers. Vital to such provision is the existence of adequately trained school librarians and information specialists, school goals, government educational policy and effective links with the library information infrastructure and the wider community.

Goals:

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SECTION OF LIBRARIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS

The Section's major purpose is to support the provision of the library service and reading promotion to children and young adults throughout the world.

Its main objectives are to promote international co-operation in the fields of library services to children and young adults, to encourage the exchange of experience, education and training and research in all aspects of this subject. The section's concerns include the provision of library services to all children and young adults in different culture and traditions in co-operation with appropriate organisations and to adults interacting with children and young adults.

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SECTION FOR LIBRARIES SERVING DISADVANTAGED PERSONS

This Section is concerned with library and information services to all those groups within the community who for whatever reason, are unable to make use of conventional library services. These groups include people in hospitals and prisons, elderly people who may be in nursing homes or care facilities, house-bound people, people with hearing impairments and those who are physically and developmentally disabled.

This Section provides an international forum for the discussion of ideas, sharing of experiences and development of projects designed to promote and improve the effectiveness of library and information services to such groups.

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SECTION OF LIBRARIES FOR THE BLIND

The Section concerns itself with library services for the blind and other print-handicapped readers. The main purposes of the section are to promote national and international cooperation in this field and to encourage research and development in all aspects of this area, thus improving the access of information for the blind and other print-handicapped persons.

The Section is thus concerned with the implementation of service goals, standardization of material, problems of copyright, bibliographic control, technical standards, free transmission of postal and telecommunications or any means of distribution of material, and the identification of the locations of special format collections and activities for the blind and other print-handicapped readers.

Publications:

SECTION ON LIBRARY SERVICES TO MULTICULTURAL POPULATIONS

The Section brings together libraries and institutions interested in the development and availability of library services designed to meet the needs of cultural and linguistic minorities.

The Section is striving to share its experience in library services to multicultural populations in view of the necessity to ensure that every member in our global society has access to a full range of library and information services. In order to achieve this, it promotes international cooperation in this field.

Goals:

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ROUND TABLE ON MOBILE LIBRARIES

This Round Table is concerned with all aspects of mobile library operations, collections, services, education and training, and research in all geographical areas.

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ROUND TABLE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN CITY LIBRARIES (INTAMEL)

INTAMEL is a platform for professional communication and information for libraries of cities with 400.000 or more inhabitants. The RT reflects inter-divisional interests as they apply to large metropolitan city libraries.

Goals: The principle objectives are to provide assistance and support for members sharing similar problems and challenges, given the wide variations in the state of development of library services between cities and countries.

Projects:

ROUND TABLE ON NATIONAL CENTRES FOR LIBRARY SERVICES (ROTNAC)

The Round Table of National Centres for Library Services brings together organizations operating on a national scale and providing a range of products in the field of bibliographical services and/or lending materials to libraries. The Round Table functions as a platform for the managers of the National Centres as well as a meeting point for bilateral cooperation.

Goals:

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