World Library Congress

Within the world of libraries and librarians, attending an IFLA World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) is a highlight in one’s career. It conjures up all sorts of thoughts in one’s mind about meeting and networking with international librarians, listening to experts in the field, visiting a foreign country, recognition of one’s involvement on professional committees and, most of all, rubbing shoulders with the world leadership of library and information services. However for the majority it is a pipe dream as the cost of attending an international congress of this stature is indeed exorbitant. So when the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) was awarded the bid in 2013 to host the 81st IFLA General Conference and Assembly from 15– 21 August 2015 in Cape Town, so close after it had hosted it in Durban in 2007, it was seen as an event of significance for the African continent.

It was our aim to ensure a robust and empowering experience for as many local and international librarians so that the impact of this international professional exchange will resonate for years to come in their professional spaces and psyches, as well as showcasing our beautiful libraries and best practices, foster collaborations and initiate partnerships for resource sharing and professional development. The theme “Dynamic Libraries: Access, Development and Transformation” is of critical importance to strengthen democracy on a continent where libraries need to connect with civil society to demonstrate the value they add in eradicating poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and ignorance with special emphasis on early childhood development, youth services, women’s health and local economic development. After 20 years of democracy, South African libraries are emerging as important partners to education and lifelong learning. In an effort to create dynamic libraries to facilitate access to information, enhance development and promote transformation, government through the Department of Arts and Culture continues to provide funding to build new libraries, redefine library spaces, services and facilities towards deepening our young democracy.

Planning a Congress of this stature and magnitude is an exercise in sound business principles, leadership, stakeholder engagement, collaboration, partnerships and professional capacity. The success of the Congress is indeed a testimony to the professional capacity and leadership, as shown by the National Committee, which comprised all LIASA Presidents and representation of the entire South African LIS sector; and stakeholder support and financial commitment as given by the Department of Arts and Culture, the Western Cape Government, the City of Cape Town, the National Convention Bureau, the Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau and Corporate partners. The South African delegation, approx. 1500 was the largest and to be expected. It included provincial and local government representatives and decision makers led by the Deputy Minister, Arts & Culture, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi; heads of public, academic and special library services; and librarians and information workers from across the sector. The volunteer corps of 300 librarians drawn from public, academic and special libraries truly made us proud. When asked why did they choose to be volunteers, the overwhelming response was “to be an ambassador for LIASA, our profession and country!” The commitment to long hours, working outside of their comfort zones, and ensuring an excellent experience for all delegates was encapsulated in the motto “This is OUR Congress!” As one of the male volunteers said of his female supervisor “Give this lady a Bells!” after completing packing 3500 conference bags, we can certainly toast our volunteers for their professionalism, commitment and enthusiasm throughout the Congress.

Conference highlights

• The Cape Town Declaration 2015 which addresses the status of libraries, the implementation of access to information and meeting the global sustainable development goals on the African continent. http://www.ifla.org/node/9767
• Launch of the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) Africa Chapter on 14 August 2015. SPARC works towards creating and implementing a more open system of scholarly communication for advancing social development and change.
• The IFLA Statement on Privacy in the Library Environment, http://www.ifla.org/node/9803
• The Hypatiad – a dynamic one-act play written by Richard Higgs, which focuses on the life of Hypatia, a Greek mathematician, astronomer and philosopher who lived and taught in Alexandria, Egypt and was killed in AD 415 for being a thinker ahead of her time. The issues of access to information, censorship, state control of information, politics and knowledge still persist as provocative issues.
• Gift a Book & Change a Life – a partnership project between the American Library Association’s
• International Round Table, the IFLA CHILD Section and LIASA, delegates were invited to bring along a book for a South African learner. 430 books and 41 DVDs were received from librarians around the world and who have signed each book. These will be distributed to identified schools in Cape Town.
• The Knitting Librarians Project – The target of 67 hand knitted/crocheted blankets was set in June to be gifted at the IFLA Congress to the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day Campaign, whose founder Carolyn Steyn was a Plenary Speaker. The 67 Blankets stand in the SA Hub proved to be “the warm and colourful heart of the congress!” where delegates gathered between sessions to knit and/or crochet squares. A total of 64 blankets was received and 139 squares were made during the Congress, which will be made up into blankets for those in need. This will ensure the final target of 67 blankets will be met.

Ujala Satgoor