What is IFLA?
IFLA (The International Federation of Library
Associations and Institutions) is the leading
international body representing the interest of
library and information services and their
users. Established in 1927, IFLA was one of the
first non-profit making, non-governmental or-
ganizations to further the cause of libra-
rianship.
Its primary function is to promote international
understanding, cooperation, discussion, re-
search and development in all aspects of li-
brary activity, and to share its findings with the
library community all over the world. Today
IFLA is present in more than 150 coun-tries.
Each year IFLA organizes an international con-
ference, the World Library and Information
Congress.
The objectives and professional activities of
IFLA aim at universal application and compre-
hensiveness. To facilitate its work, the orga-
nization is structured in two types of units:
•
five Divisions with professional groups of
Sections and Discussion Groups, organized
by type of library or library activity;
•
six Core Activities: Action for Development
through Libraries Programme (ALP), Com-
mittee on Copyright and other Legal
Matters (CLM), Committee on Free Access
to Information and Freedom of Expression
(FAIFE), IFLA-CDNL Alliance for Biblio-
graphic Standards (ICABS), Preservation and
Conservation (PAC), and UNIMARC.
In pursuing its objectives, IFLA supports the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
that "everyone has the right to participate
freely in the culture of the community, to
enjoy the arts, and to share in scientific
advancement and its benefits".
IFLA Membership
Membership in IFLA is open to associations and
institutions; affiliation is available for indivi-
duals. For further information on joining IFLA
and registering for the Rare Books and Manus-
cripts Section, contact:
IFLA Headquarters
P.O. Box 95312
2509 CH The Hague
Netherlands
Tel.: +31 70 3140 884
Fax: +31 70 3834 827
E-mail: ifla@ifla.org
http://www.ifla.org
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