Culture is the way we express ourselves. It is the celebration of diversity. It is sharing, teaching, learning and connecting.<\/p>\n
Cultural heritage are the traditions, spaces, and artifacts that tell the stories of our communities \u2013 big and small.<\/p>\n
In 2020, let\u2019s embrace the role of libraries as hubs for cultural expression and heritage. Let\u2019s explore how every aspect<\/em> of the library and information service profession helps preserve culture and make it accessible to all.<\/p>\n From preserving cultural heritage and intervening with heritage at risk, to increasing opportunities for people to experience and share cultural expression and beyond, here\u2019s an overview of some major projects coming up this year:<\/p>\n Culture and heritage cover a lot of ground, and many different professionals from across IFLA\u2019s activities are involved in one way or another.\u00a0 This year is about aligning work across the organisation to allow for better channels of communication, opportunities for collaboration, and a greater overall impact.<\/p>\n The Cultural Heritage Programme (CHP) Advisory Committee has been renewed to include members representing Rare Books and Special Collections, Audio-visual and Multimedia, Indigenous Matters, and Art Libraries, in addition to the Preservation and Conservation (PAC) Centres and Preservation and Conservation Section. This advisory body will ensure we have the expert oversight to steer all of IFLA\u2019s cultural heritage programming.<\/p>\n WLIC 2020 <\/a>will also bring exciting opportunities for collaboration between IFLA’s Sections, both those immediately involved in cultural heritage and those from other areas of the profession. Keep an eye out for Sessions organised by Preservation and Conservation together with the Sections focused on Information Technology, as well as Local History and Genealogy jointly with Indigenous Matters and Rare Books and Special Collections.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Plans are underway to revitalise IFLA\u2019s Register for Documentry Heritage at Risk<\/a> in 2020. At the heart of this re-launch will be provisions to build more content around the register itself, creating a more comprehensive set of tools. In addition to raising awareness of the register and its function, these tools will add value for collection holders both leading up to and following their collection\u2019s inclusion on the register.<\/p>\n This should prove to be an opportunity to develop our partnership with UNESCO, as we continue to collaborate with the Memory of the World Programme and Culture Sector within the scope of this project.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n IFLA\u2019s Preservation and Conservation (PAC) Centre<\/a> network is a valuable resource, not only for sharing knowledge, but for building regional understanding, capacity and networks. Over the course of the year, we will work to raise the profile of the PAC Centre Network. This includes evaluating performance and finding ways to increase their impact, both within their regions and across IFLA\u2019s cultural activities.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Launched in October 2019, the Climate Heritage Network<\/a> (CHN) is an energetic initiative working to highlight and enhance the role of memory institutions in climate action. IFLA is a proud founding member of the CHN.<\/p>\n We feel libraries a can have a large impact through our work in preservation and access to information and data. This also includes our field\u2019s knowledge about the preservation of and access to digital heritage<\/p>\n Librarian and archivist-led exploration and discovery of information and data can power other advocacy and awareness-raising efforts. This year will bring opportunities for IFLA to contribute to the CHN through communicating the connection between cultural heritage and climate action. \u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Literacy programmes can help drive a lifelong love of reading and learning, as well as providing essential skills for economic and civic participation. This brings with it opportunities to experience diverse cultural expressions and record one\u2019s own. This year, we want to better understand the role libraries currently play in national-level literacy plans around the world.<\/p>\n We are also seeking to strengthen partnerships at the international and regional level, through the UNESCO Education Sector, to advocate for the important role libraries plan in society to increase literacy.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n PERSIST<\/a>\u00a0is a project spearheaded by IFLA together with UNESCO and the International Council on Archives. It aims to enhance the sustainability of the information society by establishing continuity of access to information through preservation.<\/p>\nOur Goals for 2020 and beyond<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Coming Up in 2020<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Strengthening Cooperation within IFLA<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Heritage at Risk <\/strong><\/h5>\n
PAC Centres Growing Regional Connection and Representation <\/strong><\/h5>\n
Libraries in the Climate Heritage Network <\/strong><\/h5>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Typology of libraries in national literacy programmes<\/h5>\n
Long-term Preservation and Digitalisation<\/h5>\n