The Impact of Globalization on Libraries

and the Role of IFLA

Claudia Lux

SILF 2006

History of Globalization

• Liberalisation of Trade from 1850 -

• Rise of multinational Companies and Banks („Imperialism“)

• Crisis in the late 1920th

• Cold War, divided markets1950 -1990

• Global Impact („Neo-Liberalism“)

Globalization: Different Views 1

Pro: • Freedom and ability of individuals and firms to

initiate voluntary economic transactions with residents of other countries (World Bank)

Globalization: Different Views 2

Contra: • Globalization is the present worldwide drive

toward a globalized economic system dominated by supranational corporate trade and banking institutions that are not accountable to democratic processes or national governments. (International Forum of Globalization)

Globalization leads to

• Political Change

• Market Change

• Technology Change

Globalization leads to

• Environmental Change

• Society Change

• Cultural Change

Are librarians prepared for the

challenges of a globalized world?

IFLA - a global voice for Library and

Information Services

International Federation of Library

Associations and Institutions:

• ± 1700 members in ±150 countries

• > 500.000 internet connections in libraries

• 2.5 billion registered library users

Main Aspects of Globalization

• General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (promotion of free trade) - GATT

• General Agreement on Trade in Services, (reduction of state influence, privatisation) - GATS

• World Trade Organization (150 members) WTO

• Harmonisation of intellectual property restrictions --> more restrictions

• IFLA on WTO

and GATS

Balanced Instruments?

• GATS / WTO / WIPO

• Standardisation• Free Market in

Education and Culture

• Political Restriction• Protection for Profit

• UN / UNESCO / IFLA

• Digital Divide• Lifelong Learning• Cultural Diversity• Free Access to

Information• Fair Use

Impact on Libraries - Questions 1

• Are tax or government supported library services a threat to the free market?

• Will libraries become a part of the education market, when they support lifelong learning?

Impact on Libraries - Questions 2

• Will libraries be able to manage different cultures and multi-lingualism?

• Will libraries be able to digitize their collections and give access to it?

• Will libraries be able to be an open window to the world of knowledge any longer?

• ...

World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)

• UN ---> ITU (International Telecommunication Union)

• IFLA Advocacy at WSIS – Libraries @ the heart of the Information

Society (Geneva 2003)– Freedom of Information and Internet

Governance– Libraries: the Information Society in Action

(Alexandria 2005)

Alexandria 2006

IFLA: The Information Society in Action

• Digital LIbrary

• Information Literacy

• Libraries Success Stories

• Political Need of LIbraries

Digital Library

Digitization, – Libraries and Google, World Digital Library, etc.

Digital Library in a global view– Portals for Open Access– World Cat and Databases– Standards and best practice

Information Literacy / Teaching Library

• Information literacy– Beyond literacy, beyond ICT skills

• Teaching Library– Role of librarians and information specialists in

Knowledge Society– IFLA’s role:in education and training,– Standards and exchange of best practice

WSIS at Tunis 2006

• Libraries - part of the digital Infrastructure

• Libraries bridge the digital divide

• Libraries provide content, culture, education

• Presentation of Success Stories Database

Use Globalization to..

• Train staff and patrons in information literacy (IFLA/Unesco)

• Provide access to the information of the world (IFLA/CLM)

• Defend human rights (IFLA/FAIFE)

Use Globalization to..

• Exchange experience with the libraries of the world (WLIC - IFLA)

• Strenghten the role of libraries (IFLA president elect theme: Libraries on the Agenda)

“Libraries on the Agenda”

• Claudia Lux Presidential theme

• Advocacy at all levels

• International: by IFLA

• National Library associations

• Regional Library associations

• Local: all libraries

• Each librarian

“Libraries on the Agenda”

• All issues :

• education, culture

• it planning, city planning, migration, ...

• We have to involve - and we have to be involved

• how to do?

• personal development

React and act and...

• ...join IFLA ! – the International Federation of Library

Associations and Institutions

• ............and let us change together the negative impact of globalization into an inclusive and modern library world.

Thank you

Claudia Lux President Elect, International Federation of

Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)

P O Box 95312

The Hague 2509CH

The Netherlands

ifla@ifla. org

http://www.ifla.org