IFLA History

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.ifla.org/handle/20.500.14598/3650

Publications and archival material related to IFLA’s long history, covering: its founding in 1927, relations with other international bodies, plus reports on trends, past congresses, governance, membership, strategic planning, news, reports, and various activities. Most material created before 2000.

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Where is IFLA heading? [1982]
(International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), 1982-03-16) Wijnstroom, Margreet; International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
Written by IFLA Secretary General Margreet Wijnstroom, this 1982 memorandum addresses a critical turning point for the organization’s management and professional structure. The document highlights how a massive increase in membership and complex activities has overwhelmed the administrative capacity of the headquarters staff. Key concerns include a lack of strategic steering power, insufficient representation from the "Third World", and the challenges of maintaining support from major funding agencies. To overcome these obstacles, Wijnstroom suggests a new leadership model featuring a high-level manager dedicated to international advocacy and negotiation. Ultimately, the text serves as an urgent call for the Executive Board to modernize its operations to fulfill the ambitious promises made to the global library community.
Crisis memorandum [1978]
(International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), 1978-03-13) Wijnstroom, Margreet; International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
This 1978 memorandum outlines a strategic plan by the IFLA Secretary General to navigate severe financial challenges while sustaining a period of rapid growth. The document details how a new organizational structure and a surge in global membership have overwhelmed the federation's limited central resources and headquarters staff. To prevent a collapse of professional activities, the memo proposes seeking external funding for key initiatives such as the Universal Availability of Publications (UAP) and regional development. It emphasizes that membership dues alone cannot cover the costs of a modern international professional unit or its specialized research projects. The text concludes with a coordinated action plan involving a task force of senior officers to secure the organization's long-term future through targeted fundraising. Ultimately, the memorandum serves as a pragmatic roadmap to transform a budgetary crisis into an opportunity for more business-like management and global impact. Annex to A 78-5(1); discussed at the Executive Board meeting in Ankara, 4-5 May 1978.
IFLA Executive Board Communications (CEB), 1971-1980
(International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), 1980-09) International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
A decade of IFLA Executive Board documents (February 1971 - September 1980) highlighting the management of the federation as a complex, multi-national professional network. Documents include: meeting minutes, agendas, administrative reports on structural reforms, membership, budgetary management, logistical planning documents, drafts, and memos—cutting across every aspect of the federation's work. Vol. 1-69; missing Nos. 26 and 63. Bookmarks in the PDF for each issue.
Personal Recollections [1977]
(SAGE, 1977-10) Arntz, Helmut; Bagrova, I. J.; Bansa, Hemut; Barral, Sabine; Bettembourg, I.; de Felice Olivieri Sangiacomo, Laura; Francis, Katrina F.; de la Haye, Madeleine Joan; Honoré, Suzanne; Kovács, Ilona; McCarthy, Stephen A.; Mevissen, Werner; Monteiro da Cunha, Maria Luisa; Ofori, A. G. T.; Rayward, W. Boyd; Spicer, Erik J.; Studer, Ella; Stummvoll, Josef; Verona, Eva
Compiled in honour of IFLA's 50th Anniversary in 1977, this article includes the "personal recollections" of 19 members, volunteers, delegates, partners, and others who worked or engaged with IFLA during its first 50 years. Text in English, German, and French and authors come from the following countries: Germany, USSR, France, USA, Australia, Italy, UK, Hungary, Brazil, Ghana, Canada, Switzerland, Austria, and Yugoslavia.
IFLA Section on Bibliography: Its Achievements and Perspectives
(SAGE, 1978-03) Bagrova, I. J.
1978 overview of the group's development from an IFLA Committee to Section and key achievements.
Ten Years IFLA Committee on Bibliography 1966-1976
(SAGE, 1977-12) Pomassl, Gerhard
10-year (1965/6-1976) overview of the IFLA Bibliography Section's origin, formation of the Universal Bibliographic Control Core Programme, and key achievements. Paper originally presented at the 43rd IFLA Council meeting (Section on Bibliography), Brussels in September 1977.
Half a Century of IFLA Concern for Library Education
(SAGE, 1977-12) Rovelstad, Mathilde V.
This article details IFLA's historical commitment to establishing international standards for professional library education and training. It traces efforts from 1927, including proposals for international summer schools, to the creation of formal education standards in 1976.
The IFLA–UNESCO partnership 1947–2012
(SAGE, 2012-12-14) Lor, Peter Johan
In 1947, IFLA signed a cooperation agreement with the newly created UNESCO. This article reviews the evolution of the relationship between IFLA and UNESCO since 1947, and evaluates what this relationship has contributed to the international library and information community. The review falls into three periods: (1) from 1947 to 1977, when IFLA worked closely with UNESCO’s Libraries Division (later the Department of Documentation, Libraries and Archives); (2) from 1977, when the General Information Programme was founded, to 2000, when this Programme was merged with the Intergovernmental Informatics Programme (IIP); and (3) from 2001 to the present time, with particular reference to the UNESCO Information for All Programme (IFAP). As UNESCO gradually shifted its attention away from libraries to documentation and later information society issues, UNESCO’s importance to IFLA as a source of support declined, but possibilities remain for fruitful, mutually beneficial relationships between them.
IFLA’s Section on Literacy and Reading: A History of its First Fifteen Years
(International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), 2011-06) Cole, John Y.
15-year (1996-2011) overview of the IFLA Literacy and Reading Section's activity. This article was written by John Cole, former Chair for the Section of Reading from 1997-2001, and published in the June 2011 Literacy and Reading Section's Newsletter.
IFLA, 44. kongres, Vysoké Tatry 1978 ČSSR [plakát]
([s.n.], 1978) Trembáč, Michal
Official poster of the 44th IFLA Council Meeting, held in Štrbské Pleso, Czechoslovakia [Slovakia] from 24 August to 2 September 1978. Offset print; total height/length: 41.1 cm, width: 28.5 cm. Created by Michal Trembáč (1929-2015).
Researching IFLA History: sources and resources
(International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), 2026-01-28) International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
This document serves as a guide for researchers exploring the history of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). The emphasis is on primary source material from the IFLA Archives, key publications, and online resources—with direct (digital) access or details on physical location. Much of the archival material referenced is available in the IFLA Repository.
37th IFLA Council session, 28 August – 4 September 1971, Liverpool, United Kingdom [group photograph]
(International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), 1971) International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
Group photograph published in IFLA Annual 1971 featuring members of the IFLA Consultative Committee at the 37th Session of the IFLA Council, which took place from 28 August to 4 September 1971 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Featured in order of appearance (see legend): 1. Bredsdorff 2. Mach 3. Chaplin 4. Bjerregard 5. Pelletier 6. Coops 7. Metveyeva 8. Bleton 9. Morztynkiewicz 10. Danton 11. Wieder 12. Evans 13. Harrison 14. Bagrova 15. Humphreys 16. Vladimirov 17. Anderson 18. Reedijk 19. Allerslev Jensen 20. Chandler 21. Otto 22. Wierzbicki 23. Liebaers 24. Pflug 25. Wernicke 26. Bossaut 27. Koops 28. Bohman 29. Liutova 30. Serov 31. Cubarian 32. Havard-Williams 33. Zehrer 34. Clarke 35. Kaiset 36. Gombocz 37. Lewis 38. Rudomino 39. Ejlersen 40. Wijnstroom 41. Garside 42. Lingenberg 43. Schiltman
36th IFLA Council session, 29 August – 7 September 1970, Moscow, Soviet Union [group photographs]
(International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), 1970) International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
Group photographs featuring delegates at the 36th Session of the IFLA Council, which took place on 29 August and 7 September 1970 in Moscow, Soviet Union. [IFLA ANNUAL 1970] IFLA CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, 1970 1. Chandler, 2. Allerslev Jensen, 3. Pomassl, 4. Downing, 5. Baer, 6. Mohrhardt, 7. Bagrova, 8. Garside, 9. Evans, 10. Anderson, 11. Efimova, 12. Thompson, 13. Danton, 14. Chaplin, 15. Wieder, 16. Francis, 17. Bohman, 18. –, 19. Rudominó, 20. Lingenberg, 21. Pflug, 22. Wernicke, 23. –, 24. Bredsdorff, 25. Taft, 26. Mokhov, 27. Ejlersen, 28. Liebars, 29. Boldís, 30. Schiltman, 31. Humphreys, 32. Torfs, 33. Kirkegaard, 34. Reedijk, 35. Gombocz, 36. Clarke, 37. Čubarian, 38. Koops, 39. Giteau, 40. Lethève, 41. Pelletier, 42. Giliarevskii, 43. Bossuat
21st IFLA Council session, 10 and 16 September 1955, Brussels, Belgium [group photograph]
(International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), 1955-09) International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA); International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
Group photograph featuring delegates at the 21st Session of the IFLA Council, which took place on 10 and 16 September 1955 at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium. [Actes du Comité international des bibliothèques, v. XX, p.3.] List of names: McColvin, 2. Munthe, 3. Bourgeois, 4. Sevensma, 5. Bryant, 6. Hofmann, 7. Mairold, 8. Porfirio, 9. Ottervik, 10. Brummel, 11. Stummvoll, 12. Francis, 13. Breycha-Vauthier, 14. Palindih, 15. Hemlin, 16. Borée, 17. Schmid-Schädelin, 18. Dimartinelli, 19. Studer, 20. Becerra, 21. Cunningham, 22. Daniels, 23. Kannila, 24. Foncin, 25. Rojnić, 26. Wormann, 27. Barberi, 28. Tell, 30. Lethève, 31. van der Wolk, 32. Neuvonen, 33. Kalan, 34. Birkenmajer, 35. Piquard, 36. Nivanka, 37. Luther, 38. Tveteraas, 39. Kessen, 43. Brun, 44. Veinstein, 45. Walkate, 46. Altermatt, 48. van Riemsdijk, 49. Frauendorfer, 50. Hemlin, 51. Gelderblom, 52. Hahn, 53. Hunt, 54. Kirkegaard, 55. Lamb, 56. Egger, 57. Rates and 58. Welsford. "The twenty-first session of the FIAB Council was held in Brussels at the Université Libre on 10 and 16 September 1955. One hundred and five delegates, representing 37 member associations, 23 countries and 5 international organisations, as well as 3 observers, took part in its work." [Actes du Comité international des bibliothèques, v. XX, p.3.]
8th IFLA Council session, 19–20 and 30 May 1935, Madrid-Barcelona, Spain [group photograph]
(International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), 1935-05) International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA); International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
Group photograph featuring delegates at the Opening Session of the 8th Meeting of the International Committee on Libraries at the Palace Hotel, Madrid. Assis, de gauche à droite : Mlle J. CAPDEVIELLE, I. COLLIJN, M. GODET, P. S. LEICHT, A. ESDAILE, T. HERNANDO, W. W. BISHOP, T. P. SEVENSMA, A. C. BREYCHA-VAUTHIER, Mme T.-Y. FENG-CHEN. Debout , de gauche à droite : H. SERÍS, J. MUSZKOWSKI, C. HUIDOBRO, F. RUIZ - EGEA, J. LASSO DE LA VEGA, Mme P. LAMARQUE, F. ROCHER, J. BABELON, W. MUNTHE, H. A. KRÜSS, M. E. LORD, H. LEMAÎTRE, H. THOMAS, J. EMLER, C. H. MILAM, Mlle L. N. MALCLÈS, H. UHLENDAHL, Mgr E. TISSERANT, W. LEENDERTZ, MUNINDRA DEB, Miss R. WALSH, J. SATO, C.P. WONG, L. O. Th . TUDEER, Miss M. DARRACH, L. DE GREGORI, J. RUBIÓ, Mrs. E. CUNNINGHAM, G. PASSIGLI, A. BOSELLI. "The eighth session of the International Committee on Libraries was held on the occasion of the II International Congress of Libraries and Bibliography. The sessions were held in Madrid at the Palace Hotel, on 19 and 20 May, and in Barcelona at the Generalitat Palace, on 30 May. Sixty-five delegates representing twenty-six different nations, the Secretariat of the League of Nations and the International Institute for Intellectual Co-operation took part in the work of this session." [Actes du Comité international des bibliothèques, v. VII, p.3.]
12th IFLA Council session, 11–12 July 1939, The Hague, Netherlands [group photograph]
(International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), 1939-07) International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
Group photograph featuring delegates at the 12th Session of the IFLA Council, which took place from 10–12 July 1939 in The Hague and Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Reproduced in the 'Actes du Comité international des bibliothèques, v. XI'. De gauche à droite : J. M. Vinke, (du Palais de la Paix), A. C. Breycha -Vauthier, L. de Gregori, J. Rais, W. Schuster, W. Munthe, G. Abb. Mll . Lindstedt, E. Damiani, H. W. Craver, J. ter Meulen, J. P. Danton, T. P. Sevensma, J. Sato, I. G. A. Collijn, M. Godet , H.M. Cashmore, H. A. Krüss, F. Prinzhorn, Mme Fallot, L. Brummel, J. Porcher, Mile Salvan, A. Vincent , A. Esdaile, Th . Dössing, C. Dumreicher, H. Vendel, C. Bonhomme, Mme Duprat, H. L. White, W. Leendertz, R. P. van Lantschoot, H. Uhlendahl. "La douzième session du Comité international des Bibliothèques s'est tenue au Palais de la Paix à La Haye les 10 et 11 juillet 1939 et au Musée Municipal d'Amsterdam le 12 juillet, sous la présidence de M. Marcel Godet, directeur de la Bibliothèque nationale suisse. Quarante - six délégués représentant quinze nations, en plus du Secré- tariat de la Société des Nations, de l'Institut international de Coopération intellectuelle et de la Fédération internationale de Documentation, ont pris part à ses travaux." [Actes du Comité international des bibliothèques, v. XI, p.3.]
IFLA Archives: Inventory of the Geneva Collection (1927–1965)
([s.n.], 1989-06) Saby, Frédéric; International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
English translation of Frédéric Saby’s unpublished 1989 typescript guide to IFLA's earliest archival material originally, which was originally kept at the League of Nations Library in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1988, the material was sent from Geneva in "12 archive cases" to IFLA Headquarters. In June 1989, Saby created a 14-class structure (with sub-structures) for the archival material and a topographical list corresponding to each of the 80+ archival storage boxes.
Archives de l'IFLA: Inventaire du Fonds de Genève 1927-1965
([s.n.], 1989-06) Saby, Frédéric
Unpublished typescript guide (in French) to IFLA's earliest archival material originally kept in the League of Nations Library in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1988, the material was sent from Geneva in "12 archive cases" to IFLA Headquarters. In June 1989, Saby created this 14-class structure for the archival material and a topographical list corresponding to each of the 80+ archival storage boxes.
Minutes of Meeting: IFLA Executive Board, 1963–1970
(International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), 1970) IFLA Governing Board
This collection of documents brings together the meeting minutes of IFLA's Executive Board, held between 1963 and 1970. The minutes record discussions on the internal organization of the Federation, elections of officers, cooperation with UNESCO, and studies on the library profession and the role of libraries in society. This collection provides a valuable source for research on the history of IFLA and the development of international library policies in the second half of the twentieth century.
Annual Reports (2000-2019): IFLA Preservation and Conservation (PAC) Centres
(International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), 2019) IFLA Preservation and Conservation (PAC) Centres
The PAC Reports cover the work carried out under IFLA’s Preservation and Conservation Programme from 2000 to 2019. They document the activities of the global network of PAC Centres, recording efforts to protect and care for library and documentary heritage in different regions of the world. Over nearly two decades, the reports present case studies, project outcomes, and professional exchanges that illustrate the challenges and achievements of preservation practice. Together, they offer an account of the evolution of priorities in the field, from traditional conservation techniques to the integration of digital preservation, and highlight the role of international cooperation in safeguarding cultural memory.

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