Transcript The impact of globalization on libraries

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
• World Trade
on Tariffs and Trade
Organization (150
(promotion of free
members) WTO
trade) - GATT
• Harmonisation of
• General Agreement
intellectual property
on Trade in
restrictions --> more
Services, (reduction
restrictions
of state influence,
• IFLA on WTO
privatisation) - GATS
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
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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”
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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”
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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
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............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