Where is IFLA heading? [1982]

Abstract

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.