Congress Information

Theme

The theme for the World Library and Information Congress in Gothenburg was chosen to energize and support the Presidential Theme of IFLA President Ellen Tise: Libraries driving access to knowledge.

The 2010 theme was therefore centered around the following:

Free access to knowledge, as important as freedom of speech
Accessible for all, including the visually impaired and others with reading difficulties
Open and inclusive, no matter who you are or where you come from
Public domain, a place on the net or in a physical space, where people contribute and socially share content produced and owned as a public service
Open for ideas with user driven innovation, where the user might as well be the producer
Open access publishing for further knowledge building and a better balance between copyright laws and freedom of information

Why is this so essential? Access to knowledge opens the world of imagination and creativity, thus progress for one individual becomes progress for the society.

Venue

The IFLA World Library and Information Congress 2010, 76th IFLA General Conference and Assembly took place in the Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre, Gothenburg, Sweden. The entrance to the Congress Centre is located on Mässans Gata 20.

The Congress Centre is located in Gothenburg city centre within walking distance of a large number of hotels. Walking from the Central Station to the Congress Centre takes about 20 minutes. The airport buses and several trams stop just outside the Congress Centre at the stop called Korsvägen.

There was FREE Wifi within the Congress Centre for all delegates on a complimentary basis.

Local transportation

Västtrafik, a local transportation company, had an information bus outside the the Swedish Exhibition and Conference Centre on Monday, 9 August from 13.00-17.00 hours and Tuesday, 10 August from 11.00-17.00. They were available to provide information about local transportation and will also be selling tickets.

Core Congress Dates

10 - 15 August 2010
The Opening Ceremony and the Exhibition Reception took place at the Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre in Gothenburg on Wednesday 11 August 2010.

While the IFLA Conference was going on, Gothenburg Culture Festival was holding more than 800 events all around the city. The IFLA participants received information on these events, and, every evening during the conference week, there was an IFLA meeting place in Gothenburg city centre where the National Committee arranged the "IFLA Night Spot."

Gothenburg or Göteborg?

Although in Swedish the city's name is "Göteborg", the international community is used to the English version "Gothenburg". Actually, the Gothenburg city council has decided that the city will be referred to as the "City of Gothenburg" in all international communications.

Exhibition

The World Library and Information Congress trade exhibition was held in the Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre in Gothenburg in conjunction with the Congress.

The exhibition was open from the afternoon of Wednesday 11 August, until Saturday 14 August. Final opening hours were included in the Final Programme.

The World Library and Information Congress also featured an exposition of the Swedish Library Services Sector.

Sponsoring

A range of commercial sponsorship opportunities were available at IFLA 2010.

All further information regarding sponsorship and exhibition opportunities was provided by the Congress Secretariat:

Congrex UK
c/o 4B, 50 Speirs Wharf
Port Dundas
Glasgow G4 9TH

Tel: +44 141 331 0123
Fax: +44 141 331 0234
Email: ifla2010@congrex.com

Simultaneous Interpretation

Simultaneous interpretation services were available in seven languages: English, French, German, Russian, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin) and Arabic. This service was available for the opening and closing sessions and other selected sessions. Please look for the SI mark in the Final Programme.

Congress Material

Delegates received their Congress documentation on site from the registration desk. The documentation included a CD-ROM of Papers presented at the Congress, Participant List, Final Programme, Exhibitor Catalogue and other relevant materials.

Lunches and Refreshments

Lunches and refreshments were not included in the registration fees. However, a food service was provided to enable delegates to purchase food and beverages at the Convention Centre. There were also a large number of restaurants and shops within walking distance.

Disclaimer

The IFLA World Library and Information Congress 2010, 76th IFLA General Conference and Assembly (IFLA WLIC 2010) and/ or its agent Congrex UK and/or its agents have the right to immediately alter or cancel, without prior notice, the Congress or any of the arrangements relating directly or indirectly to IFLA WLIC 2010 due to reasons beyond their control. The IFLA World Library and Information Congress 2010, 76th IFLA General Conference and Assembly (IFLA WLIC 2010) and/ or its agent Congrex UK and / or its agents shall not be liable for any loss, damage expenditure or inconvenience caused as a result of such alterations or cancellations.

Last update: 16 December 2010