Uncrossing wires: advocacy to overcome misperceptions of libraries and the ambiguity of ‘information’

Abstract

The term ‘Information Society’ is no longer used much, we now speak of the ‘digital era’. The old Millennium Development Goals have given way to a new set of development goals which are to be ‘sustainable’. In these goals, at first glance, it might seem that libraries do not occupy a distinct place as resources of information, data and ideas, that their role is not as clear as it was last century in the days of the ‘Information Society’. In fact, with some of the world-wide regressive trends that we see at present, the role of libraries as providers of trusted information is more important than ever. IFLA’s advocacy tools, strategies and policies in many areas are used at international level, and its members are encouraged to use them at national level.

But if ‘libraries’ are not profiled specifically in the SDGs, should we be concerned? Are there mistaken ideas about libraries circulating? If they do not loom large in countries’ planning, then neither will their budgets. How can IFLA clarify the economic value of ‘libraries’ and ‘information’ to countries, governments, policy agencies, so that the potential for libraries to support sustainable development can be fully understood beyond our professional sector? Should we not make stronger efforts to quantify the return on investment in library services?

IFLA members in all countries are concerned with development, but it is particularly important for members in Division V. The IFLA ‘regions’ include some of the least-developed countries, and have the lowest levels of...