IFLA’s North America Regional Division Committee participated at the Ontario Library Association Super Conference 2023, with a special session titled “Get To Know IFLA: Your Questions Answered”. We’re grateful to the participants for the below report!

The Chair, Vice-Chair and members of IFLA’s North America Regional Division Committee during dinner, before their presentation at the OLA Super Conference 2023.

IFLA’s North America Regional Division Committee successfully delivered the session “Get To Know IFLA: Your Questions Answered” at the Ontario Library Association Super Conference 2023.

For some, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions is a mystery, and for others it’s a fascinating way to engage with colleagues around the world. The conference attendees who joined this panel learnt about the regional approach, library map of the world, advisory committees, and sections, and what it means to be involved in international library governance and policy, through a brief overview of IFLA and Q&A.

The Committee’s presentation was well received with lots of questions about various points of engagement with the IFLA  regional, professional and advisory committees. More specifically, content included an overview of the North America Regional Division Committee, and perspectives on what it means to be engaged in IFLA’s sections and committees, based on personal experiences of members involved in the North American Regional Division Committee, Metropolitan Libraries, Copyright and Other Legal Matters, National Libraries and Buildings and Equipment.

Attendees asked questions about how to engage with IFLA, with particular interest in the level of experience that is appropriate, both in terms of an individual’s stage of their library career, and within the world of library associations at the local, national and international levels. Panel participants recommended that early career library staff begin by building experience with local library associations, in order to have a good experience when engaging with IFLA, but noted that IFLA has specific opportunities for new librarians.

More info about the session can be found here. The Committee plans to  present the same overview at the ALA annual in Chicago.

Panel participants:

People who presented at this panel have experience setting international library standards, writing policy, presenting at UN forums, and planning professional development for colleagues around the world, and will share their experiences and answer your questions.

Panel participants were:

Christina de Castell Vice-Chair of IFLA’s NA RDC and Chief Librarian & CEO, Vancouver Public Library. Read more about Christina here.

Diane Koen Past Chair, Library Buildings & Equipment section, Member of IFLA’s NA RDC and Senior Director, Planning and Resources McGill University Library. Read more about Diane here.

Francesco Manganiello Member of IFLA’s NA RDC and Chief of Staff and International Affairs, Office of the Librarian and Archivist of Canada, Library and Archives Canada. Read more about Franscesco here.

Julius C. Jefferson, Chair of IFLA’s NA RDC. Read more about Julius here.

 

Moe Hosseini-Ara Director, Branch Operations & Customer Experience, Toronto Public Library. Read more about Moe here.

 

Find out more about IFLA’s North America Regional Division Committee by clicking here: ifla.org/units/north-america-regional-division/committee/.