IFLA Repository

The IFLA Repository was established to collect and disseminate works by the global IFLA community. Here you can explore IFLA Standards, key publications, core documents and much more. Items in the repository are integrated with our main website, IFLA.org, as “Resources” and displayed in a separate Resources page of the website, as well as in relevant unit or topic pages.

If you have questions about this site, please contact repository@ifla.org.

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Recent Submissions

More Than Just A Makeover: The Transformation of a Historically Disadvantaged Medical University Library
(International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), 2025-09-12) Kabelo Kgarosi; Rirhandzu Mhinga
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) Library, originally established in 1976 as the Medical University of Southern Africa (MEDUNSA) Library, located in the Ga-Rankuwa Township in Pretoria, holds a significant place in South Africa’s academic history as the first and only Health Sciences University Library that serving black students during the apartheid era. After 48 years, the library underwent a major refurbishment, transitioning from a traditional knowledge repository into a dynamic, technology-rich learning space for 21st-century users. The refurbishment focused on space optimization, technology integration, and accessibility. Repurposing spaces into high-tech labs, postgraduate research centre, individual and collaborative learning spaces. A state-of-the-art podcast studio was also incorporated, to ensure a high broadcast-quality audio content for academic and creative projects. This refurbishment demonstrates how libraries can adapt to the digital age by balancing smart space utilization, cutting-edge technological advancement, user-centered and relaxed study spaces designed to foster creativity and learning. This transformation positions the SMU Library as a model for modern academic libraries, demonstrating how Historically Disadvantaged Institutional (HDI’s) libraries can adapt to technological advancements while maintaining a user-centred approach. Keywords: Library refurbishment, Health Science Libraries, User-centred design, Historically Disadvantaged Institution (HDI)
S.O.S. Heritage: Save Our School Heritage
(International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), 2025-09-12) Marija Miletić
Preserving the Maritime Past: Educating for the Future.The city of Bakar, Croatia, has a rich maritime tradition, excelling in shipbuilding, trade, and seafarer education. Maritime School Bakar, established in 1849, is the oldest naval institution in Croatia. Its library holds 244 rare books (printed before 1850), under special protection by the Republic of Croatia. Maritime School Bakar with the project ''S.O.S. Heritage: Save Our School Heritage'' was one of the participants of The Europe Challenge 2024, an annual program that brings together teams from libraries and communities across Europe to address social isolation, inequality, disinformation, and other local challenges by developing creative solutions with support from the European Cultural Foundation and its partners. This project demonstrates how school libraries can play a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage through innovative activities. Students and teachers participated in workshops on storytelling, restoration, and heritage interpretation, learning how to preserve cultural identity through creative methods such as storytelling and gamification. The final exhibition, titled ''The Secrets of the School Library'', showcased the value of our heritage to the community—a legacy we must pass on to future generations. This initiative can serve as a model for other educational institutions facing similar challenges.
Library In The 21st Century – Estonian Librarians’ Vision of the Future and Library Service Evaluation Model
(International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), 2025-09-12) Katre Riisalu Krista Visas; Krista Visas
„Library in the 21st century“ was the most important project led by the Estonian Librarians Association that involved the whole library community. The project fulfilled its intended purpose to find a common focus for the future of all library types in Estonia, and try to understand and find a common ground for future roles of libraries. Many changes in the society need to be considered as they affect the work that libraries do. Workshops and group discussions took place to find answers to questions such as what makes a library a good library; what are the basic services that should be present at every library; what would be the role of a library in 2030? As a result of the discussions, the challenges faced by Estonian libraries in the near future were pinned down in black and white along with possible directions of development and plans for the near future. All of this was initiated by the librarians themselves. As a result of the discussions, we created a Vision Document “Library on the 21st century”. Our vision is value-based which could be expected of a library as an important pillar of culture in a society. Wise citizens are reading citizens. As a further development of the vision document, a model was developed for evaluating public library services. The vision aims to support the development of libraries so that they are accessible and available, popularize reading and shape reading habits, strategically managed, offer development opportunities, smart and innovative, environmentally conscious and responsible, and actively involve communities. Survey participants were asked to rate the current state of the library in the above areas. The Vision Document would serve as an exemplary model for future strategic decision making while serving as a possibility to contribute and influence library politics.
On the Path to the Future – Departmental Library in Transition
(International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), 2025-09-10) Wiebke Groebel-Uhlig
Departmental libraries are key knowledge hubs, providing specialized literature and supporting efficient access to relevant information. The library of the BfR (German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) is undergoing a major reorganization, in which structures are being reconsidered and adapted to new requirements. A key step in this transformation was filling vacant positions, made it possible to address neglected tasks, such as implementing the new library management system (FOLIO). The merger of the Research Data Management and Library teams, now part of the IT Department, marks a significant shift in the library's evolving role. Upcoming changes include relocating the collection to storage and creating a functional, attractive environment with various working spaces. To better align with user needs, the library plans to expand training on open access publishing and digital tools, based on an upcoming institute-wide survey. The poster highlights the library's transformation, showcasing achieved goals and future plans. It emphasizes the shift from an unnoticed facility to a forward-thinking service provider. This can serve as a model for other institutions, underscoring the ongoing importance of specialized departmental libraries in research. This aims to inspire smaller scientific libraries to evaluate their role and fosters discussions on improvements and future needs.
Benchmarking of Public Libraries - Comparison that makes sense
(International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), 2025-09-10) Vladana Pillerová; Lucie Machacková
The Library Benchmarking project is a national initiative of the Czech Republic that supports the development of public libraries through data collection, analysis, and structured comparison. Launched by the National Library in 2006, the project has been open to all libraries regardless of size or location. Since 2012, libraries in Slovakia have also been participating, making it a unique cross-border collaboration in the library sector. Benchmarking allows libraries to compare their performance and service quality based on over 40 indicators grouped into three key areas: operating conditions, users and services, and funding and efficiency. The process helps identify strengths and weaknesses, supports evidence-based strategic planning, and fosters professional cooperation. Nearly 550 libraries are currently involved. Participation is free of charge, and access to the benchmarking database is limited to registered libraries. The tool provides libraries with meaningful insights that help improve service delivery, optimize budget use, and better communicate with their funders and stakeholders. By making smart use of statistical data, benchmarking contributes to long-term development, innovation, and sustainability in the public library sector.