1、IFLA TREND REPORTUPDATE 2023Realising libraries potential as partnersfor developmentBased on the contributions of:Mohd Ismail Abdin,Vivian Ampsonah,Evie Cordell,Bryan Boy Cortez,Zo Dunlop,Lyudmila Dyadyk,Xiaofang ZhangINSIGHTS FROM THETRENDREPORTIFLA is the Global Voice of the Library andInformation

2、 ProfessionIFLA puts libraries on the global stage and helps them develop.We are the global voice and the largest brains trust of the library and informationprofession,with an active network of more than 1,400 Members leading institutions andplayers in the library field in over 150 countries,and wel

3、l-established relations with the UNand other international organisations.Together with our Members we work to set the professional agenda and develop standardsin library service provision,to improve access to information and cultural heritageresources,and to place this work at the heart of local,nat

4、ional and global policies.Contributors to the Original Trend Report:Olivier Crepin-Leblond,Chairman Internet Corporation for Assigned Names andNumbers(ICANN)At-large Advisory Committee(ALAC)Anriette Esterhuysen,CEO,Association forProgressive Communications(APC)Divina Frau-Meigs,Professor,Universit d

5、uParis III:Sorbonne NouvelleMelissa Gregg,Principal Investigator,IntelCenter for Social ComputingJohn Houghton,Professorial Fellow,Centre forStrategic Economic Studies,VictoriaUniversityDeborah Jacobs,Director,Global Libraries,Bill&Melinda Gates FoundationMarime Jamme,CEO,Spot One GlobalSolutionsJan

6、is Karklins,Assistant Director General forCommunication and Information,UNESCOAlejandro Pisanty,Professor,NationalAutonomous University of MexicoLee Rainie,Director,Internet&American LifeProject,Pew Research Center*Kate Russell,Presenter,BBC Click OnlineAndreas Schleicher,Director for Education,Orga

7、nisation for Economic Cooperation andDevelopment(OECD)Suneet Singh Tuli,Founder and CEO,DataWindLtdFred Stielow,VP/Dean of Libraries,AmericanPublic University SystemFred von Lohmann,Legal Director,Copyright,Google Inc.*Louis Zacharilla,Co-founder,Global IntelligentCommunity Forum*Commenting in a per

8、sonal capacityTrend Report updates are available for2016,2017,2018,2019 and 2021.All are availableon the Trend Report website:https:/trends.ifla.org/.For press enquiries and further information pleasecontact:Stephen Wyber,IFLA Policy and AdvocacyManager(stephen.wyberifla.org)2The original IFLA Trend

9、 Report isthe result of a dialogue between thelibrary field and experts from arange of disciplines.By crossing experience andperspectives,it provided a newopportunity to explore and discussthe emerging trends that areshaping the world in which librarieswork.The first Report identified five high-leve

10、l trends in the globalinformation environment,spanningaccess to information,education,privacy,civic engagement andtechnological transformation.It didnot seek to predict the future,butrather to explore the forces that willinfluence it.Yet the Trend Report is not just asingle static publication report

11、,buta dynamic and evolving set ofonline resources for library andinformation professionals.Alongside the original report,thereis a range of data and informationfor libraries to use,share and buildon,including a bibliography andliterature review of existing trendreports,expert papers anddiscussion su

12、mmaries.Subsequent updates opened up newpaths and questions for reflection,bringing in new voices from insideand outside of the library field.These can all be found on the TrendReport website trends.ifla.org.Crucially,these are intended,collectively,as a starting point acatalyst for discussion both

13、withinthe library field,and when talkingwith external partners.It is asupport for thinking about what weneed to do to be prepared for whatis to come,so that libraries do notonly survive,but thrive.That is where you come in.Thegoals we set ourselves,and theactions we take to achieve them,will have a

14、decisive influence onhow big a role our institutions willplay in the evolving informationlandscape.We encourage you to use the IFLATrend Report Update to organiseand facilitate creative workshopswith your community,network,colleagues or staff.Join the conversation online usingthe tag#IFLATrendReport

15、,staytuned to news from IFLA at ifla.org,and follow us on Facebook andTwitter!WHAT IS THE IFLA TREND REPORT?3Foreword-Vicki McDonaldIFLA President 2023-2025Gamba daru*colleaguesI am proud to share with you the IFLA Trend Report 2023,whichbrings together the insights and ideas shared by emergingleade

16、rs at our 2023 World Library and Information Congress.This Report is all about impact the positive impact that librariesdo,can,and aspire to achieve for the communities they serve.Andits about the factors that shape how far we can realise thispotential.In my own work at the State Library of Queensla

17、nd,as a formerPresident of the Australian Library and Information Association,and now as President of IFLA,I am strongly focused on how wecan ensure that we are making this difference.My experience of this is what drove my choice of the themeStronger Together for my presidency.Im excited to see this

18、reflected in the ideas shared by our emerging leaders,who havehighlighted both the value of stronger cooperation within ourfield,but also closer links with other stakeholders.I hope that the trends identified here will help provide a structurefor thinking through how we can maximise our contribution

19、 tosustainable development,and of course a reminder of the insight and foresight that our emerging leaders can bring to our work.4FOREWORD*”Gamba daru”means“Good day”inthe language of the Barunnggampeople from the Darling Downsregion of Dalby and BunyaMountains the community where Igrew up in Queens

20、land,Australia.This is the first of two Trend Reports coming out this year,with thelaunch of our 2024 edition at the Information Futures Summit thatIm honoured to be hosting in my hometown,Brisbane,Australia inSeptember and October.Work is already well underway on the 2024 report,which will lookat b

21、roader trends in the information and knowledge environment,and what these mean for libraries and the communities we serve.I hope you are looking forward to it as much as I am!Vicki McDonald5FOREWORDIntroductionLibraries are at the vanguard ofcreating positive changeworldwide,whether it is bypromotin

22、g inclusivity in variouscommunities,overcoming outdatedperceptions,or managing thechallenges of internet connectivity.Yet in light of the rapid evolution oftechnology as well as societal andglobal challenges,libraries areunder pressure to(re)define theircontribution to development.Welcome to the lat

23、est edition of theIFLA Trend Report,focused on 12trends that shape how libraries,inturn,shape development.This edition of the IFLA TrendReport in some ways represents acontinuation of the two previousones.Like them,it is the result ofthe contributions of emergingleaders from around the world.Specifi

24、cally,it brings together thecontributions of applicants foremerging leaders grants at the2023 World LIbrary andInformation Congress,held inRotterdam.Yet there is also a difference.Rather than looking at trends ingeneral terms,and how(also ingeneral terms)we can respond,this edition looks specificall

25、y at thetrends that influence librariesability to deliver on sustainabledevelopment.This choice partially reflects thetheme of the Congress-Lets WorkTogether,Lets Library-whichemphasised libraries roles inbuilding more inclusive anddurable societies.But it also drawson IFLAs long-standingengagement

26、around the UnitedNations 2030 Agenda,throughwhich we advocate for the role oflibraries as actors in drivingdevelopment at all levels.In this work,we underline thepower of information-andwelcoming spaces staffed bydedicated people with a proactiveapproach to helping others-as akey enabler of progress

27、 across theboard,from supporting internetaccess to sharing public healthinformation,from enablinginnovation to safeguarding andgiving access to heritage as a keycultural right.Crucially,we argue in this contextthat there is much more thatlibraries can do,if their potential isrecognised,and they are

28、fullyincorporated into planning anddelivery processes.6So what is holding us back?Whattrends,both within libraries andoutside,are limiting our capacity todeliver,and what can we do aboutit?That is the question that theemerging leaders at our RotterdamCongress sought to answer.The identified trends s

29、hed light onthe dynamic environment thatinfluences libraries developmentcontributions,highlighting thenecessity of collaborations,strategic investments,andacknowledgement of changingresponsibilities within the globalknowledge ecosystem.In each case,drawing on theinsights and contributions of theemer

30、ging leaders,we explore thetrend,before setting outspecifically what impacts this mighthave on libraries contribution todevelopment.Each section thenoffers a few ideas about howlibraries and others can respond.Through this,despite theadmittedly negative framing of thereport as being around challenge

31、sand limitations to libraries ability toimpact the world for the better,thisreport also offers positive ideas forhow we can move forwards.The fact that the report comesfrom emerging leaders is thereforeparticularly important.We have a choice-betweenstagnation and activation,betweenfading into irrele

32、vance andconstantly exploring how thefundamental missions of librariescan apply today,between lettingothers(mis)define us and assertingour place as essential actors in anyeffort to build better societies andeconomies.Choosingresponsiveness,reinvention andrelevance also requires renewal,which in turn

33、 means workingalways to ensure that members ofthe profession with energy andideas are able to realise theirpotential.IFLA is therefore gratefulto the emerging leaders who cameforward to share their energy andideas in 2023.This report is the last in the currentseries of smaller updates to theTrend Re

34、port.Later in 2024,we arelooking forward to releasing a newmajor update,that will follow inthe footsteps of the 2013 original.In the meanwhile,we are lookingforward to new announcementsand activities to support emergingleaders globally.Happy reading!7Trend Report Update2023 ContributorsMohd Ismail A

35、bdin,Malaysia Vivian Ampsonah,Ghana Evie Cordell,United States Bryan Boy Cortez,Philippines Zo Dunlop,Germany Lyudmila Dyadyk,Ukraine Xiaofang Zhang,China8#IFLATrendReportThe trendsLibraries are increasingly seen asirrelevant in a changing worldThe world is going down a path thatdiscounts the value

36、of community-driven infrastructures,and ofinformation for developmentIn many countries,public spending and so scope for investment istighteningMore diverse societies make deliveringuniversal services and achieving equitymore complicatedRegulation of digital spaces isaccelerating,but withoutconsidera

37、tion of impacts on howlibraries support developmentAn increasingly uncertain worldintensifies challenges and complicatesservice-deliveryThere are persistent and growingbarriers to building partnerships fordevelopmentPersistent geographical inequalitiesare reinforced by unequal investmentin public se

38、rvices8#IFLATrendReportLibrary and information workersare seen as auxiliaries,rather thandevelopment actors in their ownrightGlobalisation continues,opening upnew expectations for informationaccessEven as connectivity improves,thedigital divide is persistent andgetting more seriousWe are too busy de

39、aling with crisesto think strategically11121.Libraries are increasingly seen as irrelevant in achanging worldThe first trend is a broad one,andrelates to the assumption held bysome in our societies that libraries areessentially a legacy institution,servinga function that has either been t

40、akenover by technology,which is verynarrow(for example,as one of theless glamorous parts of the widerculture field),or which is no longernecessary in general.Communitiesand other stakeholders risk,as aresult,simply not thinking of librarieswhen they are considering whichactors can be mobilised in or

41、der todeliver change,while libraries ownpotential is limited by frozen orreduced funding.Libraries of course do work to addressthese perceptions,and demonstrateboth the continued importance oftheir core missions(in providingaccess to information and the skills touse it),as well as developing newacti

42、vities which draw on their people,spaces and resources,but stereotypesare sticky,and persuading people torethink is hard.Development impact:when development policies areprepared(from SDG 1 to SDG 17),therisk is that those drafting themwrongly discount how libraries cancontribute to making them a suc

43、cess.This can lead to lower policyeffectiveness,with,for example,lessproductive outreach to parts of thepopulation who may otherwise be outof reach.9Another potential outcome is thatlibraries end up taking on unfundedtasks,despite having been forgottenby those preparing policies.Forexample,they jobs

44、eekers find work,orcitizens in general apply for benefits.Yet because they were neglected,theydont receive the support necessary tofulfil these roles.This places additionalpressure on libraries,potentiallyreducing their ability to deliver onother work.Response:on the side of decision-makers andother

45、 stakeholders,the changeneeded is simple there is a need totake seriously the call in the 2030Agenda to work with all stakeholders.For libraries,we have to be realistic perceptions will not change bythemselves.We need to see advocacyas a key part of delivering for ourcommunities,as without it,we can

46、t.Importantly,we can support changehere.Efforts must be made to ensurethat policymakers and stakeholdersrecognise the transformative potentialof modern libraries and integrate Planning based on stereotypes thatare not only old,but may not evenhave been accurate in the past,is apoor strategy.“them ef

47、fectively into developmentstrategies.To do this,we must make sure that weare able to speak the language ofdecision-makers and otherstakeholders,and avoid simplyassuming that they will understandthe value of what we do in our ownterms.We should be innovative,andeven surprising,in how we presentoursel

48、ves,and be able to show howwe are also able to reevaluate ourstrategies,services,policies andprogramming to remain relevant inthe digital age.Finally,we must take proactive stepsto underscore our indispensable role,not only to government entities andstakeholders,but also to the widercommunity.We mus

49、t view ourselves-and be viewed-as active participantswith a legitimate voice and valuablecontributions to offer.Our work isindispensable,and we deserveadequate funding to support it.Wepossess the expertise and ingenuity toeffectively utilise resources andmaximise impact.Its crucial toadvocate for th

50、e recognition andsupport our institutions need tocontinue serving as essential pillars ofknowledge,education,andenrichment within our communities.10There appears,globally,to be a loss oftrust in the value of community,and inparticular community-driveninfrastructures.People areencouraged to distrust

51、institutions,and fall back on their own perceptionsand experiences.This is visible ineverything from conspiracy theories(not least about deep states)to muchof the philosophy behind web 3.0 andthe crypto boom,based on a sensethat people need to free themselvesfrom traditional institutions andnetworks

52、.Of course,such anapproach tends primarily to benefitthose most able to exploit it.Community led institutions can ofcourse suffer from the fact that theirimpact(for example in buildingindividual and collective wellbeing,and in delivering social capital)isdifficult to measure in monetaryterms,and so

53、their role isunderestimated.Working at acommunity level nonetheless requiresgive and take people need to be ableto cooperate and negotiate,whilecentral governments need to be readyto leave decision-making power toothers.Linked to this is the trend towards thequestioning of the role of information(in

54、cluding science and research).Inparallel,there is both a shamelessnessabout lying by some in positions ofpower,and a sense that scientificknowledge is somehow part of a wider institutional set-up that needs to bechallenged.Clearly,some measure ofcriticism is healthy neithergovernments nor scientists

55、 shouldoverstate their own case but gutfeeling,political expediency andwishful thinking clearly pose threatsto evidence-based decision-making.Development impact:The undervaluation of community-driven infrastructure and informationfor development presents profoundobstacles to library organisations,hi

56、ndering their capacity to fulfil theirmission and effectively cater to theneeds of their communities.Aweakening of community structuresruns directly against SDG11(whichspecifically focuses on strongcommunities)as well as SDG16(whichfocuses on institutions).It takes awaya whole set of tools for deliv

57、ering ondevelopment,and in particular onesthat have a strong understanding ofcommunity needs and cultures.It alsothreatens broader resilience andequality(SDG10)by leading to asituation where everyone is thrownback on their own(unequal)resources.Meanwhile,challenges to the role andplace of informatio

58、n undermineefforts to ensure that policy is basedon the best possible evidence base.Through this,it increases the chanceof mistakes,both wasting resourcesand leaving people and communities 112.We The world is going down a path that discounts thevalue of community-driven infrastructures,and ofinforma

59、tion for developmentin a worse position than they couldhave been otherwise.In addition toweakening decision-making,the risk ishigher that people simply dontbelieve or act on what they arerecommended or told to do,anobvious example being around lowuptake of vaccines during the COVID-19 Pandemic in so

60、me countries.Response:for libraries,the immediate goalshould be to ensure that we are fullyrealising the potential of our rolewithin communities as spaces foraccessing and generating knowledgeand so empowerment.We cannotstart to defend these things if we arenot able to deliver.This requires a realop

61、enness and ability to listen andunderstand,as well as a readiness tochange.We then need to help communitiesbuild awareness of the value of whatthey have,and the readiness todefend it.Through supporting civicengagement,we help give morepeople the confidence and skills toadvocate for and defend theimp

62、ortance of institutions such asours.12By championing the value ofcommunity-driven initiatives,libraries can also strengthen theirimpact,amplify their relevance,andbecome indispensable agents ofpositive change in society.“Finally,we need to join efforts touphold a healthy informationenvironment in po

63、licy and law.Thiscannot only be a question ofregulating the excesses of a few majorinternet platforms,but ratherexploring how we in partnershipwith others can build,positively,acomprehensive agenda forinformation integrity.In particular,weneed to find ways to help people buildcuriosity,and learn to

64、be critical andconfident when working withuncertainty,rather than leap to easyconclusions.While the Pandemic years saw atleast in those countries with thepossibility to do so significantgovernment spending in order toavoid or limit the risk of recession,weare now facing tougher times again,reminisce

65、nt of the years after the 2008financial crisis.There are manyreasons for this difficulties in taxingsome major companies,low taxrevenues in general,inflation and highprices,and political agendas focusedon cutting debt and deficits.Yet theresult is too often the same investment in all public services

66、,notleast libraries,is reduced.Clearly,a greater or lower budget onits own is not the only possibledeterminant of how effective librariescan be in supporting sustainabledevelopment in their communities this would be to discount the role ofthe energy and innovation of librarystaff.However,cuts to bud

67、gets arepainful,and too often do simply leadto reduced output,and so impact.Thistranslates into fewer(professional)staff,less modern and welcomingspaces,less relevant materials andtools,and too often as a result,fewerpeople through the doors.Development impact:when there is insufficient governmentfu

68、nding,libraries are unable toprovide essential resources andservices crucial for holistic communitydevelopment.In particular,whilevolunteers can play an important role,the loss of professional positions within libraries removes a key factorsupporting high-quality,user-focusedservices and programming

69、.This deprives individuals of theopportunity to cultivate fundamentalskills(SDG 4,8)and access vitalservices(SDGs 1,10),such as basicinformation literacy and reliableinternet connectivity(SDG 9,17),or tosupport research(SDG 9)or safeguardheritage(SDG 11).Consequently,communities face barriers toacqu

70、iring knowledge,engaging inlifelong learning,and participatingfully in the digital age.The lack ofinvestment in libraries exacerbatesexisting inequalities and hamperssocietal progress.Response:Primarily,this is about protectingeffective(public)spending.In this,weare likely to find allies in other se

71、ctors,such as education,health and socialinclusion.Organisations here,forexample,regularly support efforts toaddress tax avoidance and evasion,aswell as to counter corruption.Libraries could well mobilise in thisspace,stressing the importance ofproperly-funded public services.This also implies that

72、we need to beclearer and more effective indefending our own corners.This ispartly about ensuring that we canhonestly tell funders that we aremaking the most effective use of theresources we receive,but then alsobeing clear in our advocacy about 133.In many countries,public spending and so scope fori

73、nvestment is tighteninghow spending on libraries is aninvestment not a cost.As highlightedabove,we need to speak in terms thatdecision-makers will understand andrespond to.Through collective action andadvocacy,we can strengthen thesustainability of library services andcontribute to the advancement o

74、flibrarianship worldwide.12More broadly,we must workcollaboratively to overcome distrustin public services,advocating forequitable distribution of resources tosupport libraries in fulfilling theirpotential.“14Societies around the world areevolving.Migration and other factorsmean that many communitie

75、s lookvery different to how they did ageneration ago.Elsewhere,we aregrowing more and more aware ofcommunities and vectors of diversitythat always existed,but which werehidden or even suppressed due to oldassumptions and beliefs,often atserious personal cost.Monochrome,monocultural,uniform groups ar

76、eincreasingly rare.This report takes as a starting pointthat diversity is a strength,both forindividuals and for communities as awhole,but it should not be taken forgranted that this strength will berealised.Doing so can require areadiness to stop and reflect on howexisting structures and approaches

77、may affect different groups.Otherwise even the most universalisticservice is at risk of becoming a driverof exclusion.It can also requirepositive efforts to build understandingand connection(linguistic,cultural andsocial),and to fight the instinct to stickwith the familiar.Linked to this is the grow

78、ing(andoverdue)awareness of injustices doneto indigenous peoples andcommunities,which have left(andcontinue to leave)deep scars.Libraries have a particular role to playhere,given past practices around theway in which information has beengathered,categorised and valued ornot.Development impact:clearl

79、y,allowing diversity to translateinto division runs directly counter to anumber of SDGs,notably SDG1(nopoverty),SDG5(gender equity),SDG10(reduced inequalities),andSDG11(sustainable cities andcommunities).Yet in line with thelogic of leaving no-one behind,noneof the SDGs can be attained if anyoneis l

80、eft out for example,when alibrary user is not able to take part ineLearning because they dont havebasic skills,or are not comfortable inthe main language of the community,then SDGs 9 and 17 are also moredifficult to achieve.Clearly,finding a way to provide basicpublic services to everyone in a wayth

81、at works for them is also a broaderquestion of how to ensure thateveryone is able to fulfil their humanrights.154.More diverse societies make delivering universalservices and achieving equity more complicatedRealising the potential of diversitycan require a readiness to stop andreflect on how existi

82、ng structuresand approaches may affect differentgroups.Otherwise even the mostuniversalistic service is at risk ofbecoming a driver of exclusion.“16Response:key elements of the response forlibraries are already implicit in theabove.We need to change the way wethink and act to better serve everyonein

83、 our communities,especially thosewho are poor,speak a language otherthan English,or have trouble withtechnology.It is also necessary tothink of new ways to provide servicesthat make them available andwelcoming to everyone,no matterwhat their situation is,and to evaluatewhat we do from the perspectiv

84、e of allcommunity measures.We can also help in this work bylooking at the people we aresupporting,and trying to work outwho is missing,as well as advocatingfor the recognition and empowermentof marginalised groups in general.Bybeing open to different ideas andexperiences,we can better meet theneeds

85、and solve the problems thatpeople from different situations face.We need to actively work to close thegaps and make libraries a place whereeveryone feels valued,empowered,and able to fully take advantage of thechances they offer.Another key part of the solution willbe around making sure that we have

86、,within our own workforce,thegreatest possible diversity.We need toattract and retain diverse talent withinour profession to ensure that ourworkforce reflects the communitieswe serve.This means looking at ourrecruitment policies,and once again,recognising who is missing from ourworkforces,and how we

87、 can give fairopportunities to join and develop.Finally,ongoing work to raiseawareness of the needs of indigenouscommunities,as well as to reckonopenly and honestly with pastpractices is as much a task for librairesas for any other institution.Buildingand sustaining respectful andmeaningful links wi

88、th communities iscentral to this.The last few years have seen a race toregulate digital spaces,at the national,regional and global levels.Faith in theidea of a bottom-up internet,basedonly on protocols and standardsagreed by the community,has beenshaken as concerns grow about thepower of major platf

89、orms,and thenets potential not just to perpetuate,but also to intensify the harm causedby sadly all-too-familiar humanbehaviours such as criminality,discrimination and more.The speed of efforts to regulate isdriven,to some extent,by the desireof governments to get first-moveradvantage to set out rul

90、es that arethen more likely to be adopted as akind of global standard.This is seen asa way of benefitting your owncompanies,as they will then havemost experience of working within theparameters set out.The problem is that speed inregulating often based on verystrongly held views about the virtue(or

91、not)of different actors and fearsabout harms does not necessarilyallow for a full consideration of how tosafeguard the potential of the internetas a space or free expression andaccess to information.It is hard toregulate for the sort of carefuljudgement that libraries need to makewhen assessing whet

92、her and how toacquire and provide access tomaterials,and too often,governmentswhen regulating(or platforms looking to avoid regulation,or punishment)risk tending to block first and askquestions later.A parallel concern is around whathappens when governmentsintroduce divergences in how theyregulate t

93、he internet,or fail toadvance work to ensure that there arethe same basic copyright exceptionsand limitations in all countries withthe possibility to work across borders.This is a key driver of internetfragmentation,which plays out inblocked content and services,as wellas uncertainty.Development imp

94、acts:the most immediate impact ofinternet regulation that fails to takeaccount of the value of access toinformation is that it becomes harderto deliver on SDG 16(peace,justiceand strong institutions,which ofcourse includes target 10 on publicaccess to information).But wheninformation flows are curta

95、iled,wealso see harm elsewhere forexample diasporas are cut off fromhomelands(SDG 10),cross-borderresearch becomes harder(SDG 9 and17),the implicit goal of providing for175.Regulation of digital spaces is accelerating,but withoutconsideration of impacts on how libraries supportdevelopmentIt is hard

96、to regulate for the sort ofcareful judgement that libraries needto make when assessing whether andhow to acquire and provide access tomaterials“18 access to the heritage of humanity isblocked(SDG 11),and the potential todevelop new technologies andbusinesses and so earn a livelihoodsuffers(SDG 8).Re

97、sponse:for libraries,one key aspect is areadiness to get involved indiscussions about how digitalinformation flows are regulated.Libraries have a unique and legitimatevoice in these discussions,given boththeir professional expertise inquestions around information,andpractically given their role insu

98、pporting internet access incommunities.We should see ourselves and be seen as stakeholders ininternet governance debates,andeven explore how we can help ourcommunities get more engaged,asultimately it is they who will bear theconsequences of reduced access toinformation and expression.Through this,w

99、e need to emphasisethe value of intellectual freedom andprofessional judgement,as well as ofaccess to culture,research andeducation.We should also argue for amore positive approach,looking athow we can ensure that everyindividual has the access to theinformation and skills they need tothrive,rather

100、than simply addressingproblems when they arise in a moread hoc way.We can also promotedigital literacy initiatives that canempower users to navigate onlinespaces responsibly and advocate forpolicies that promote equitable accessto information for all.And of courselibraries approach these issues with

101、an understanding of cultural factors and integrity,and the ability topromote a culture of continuouslearning.No-one thought to make clear thatthey should be exempted from rulesintended for multi-billion dollarplatforms.Libraries are uniquely wellplaced to provide news from the frontwhen it comes to

102、the impacts of howinformation flows are or are not being regulated.But to do this,weneed to engage with policymakers andstakeholders and highlight theimportance of considering the impactsof regulations on equal access toinformation.Libraries shouldcollaborate with others to balanceinnovation and reg

103、ulations aroundvarious technologies while alsocreating and promoting ethicalpractices.A key part of this is about makingclear what the costs of interruptedinformation flows are.We cannotexpect decision-makers to find outfor themselves about researchprojects which have had to berestricted,or open acc

104、essrepositories which are facing majoruncertainty“While there are still those who noisilyseek to deny it,the broad and science-based consensus is that climatechange is real,and poses real threatsto our way of life.It is already leadingnot only to more dramatic events storms,flooding,fires and more b

105、utalso gentler but no less dangerouschanges that threaten everythingfrom agriculture to the preservation ofmaterials in library collections.Thetrend is certainly towards thesebecoming more common,adding toexisting challenges linked to naturaldisasters such as earthquakes andvolcanoes.Climate-related

106、 events are likely,through pressure on resources,tofeed into conflict.Yet much oldertrends greed,exclusive nationalism,and hate continue to triggerinstability,insecurity and war.Theseclearly impact libraries and theircommunities,at best throughdisruption,and at worse throughdirect damage to librarie

107、s and theircollections,through negligence or bydesign.Finally,and linking to a trendhighlighted above,pressure on publicspending risks limiting investment inwider safety and readiness.This is adual problem it not only means thatinstitutions and communities are lessable to respond to disasters andunc

108、ertainty,but that such disastersare more likely to happen,for examplethrough poorly-maintained infrastructures,not least librarybuildings.Development impact:Inadequate protection of libraries andtheir resources poses a significant riskof irreparable loss to communities,jeopardizing the achievement o

109、f SDG11.Moreover,disruptions to libraryoperations call into question theaccessibility of essential publicservices for all individuals,directlyimpacting SDG 1.Yet even when libraries themselvesare spared,growing uncertainty islikely to see them more frequentlyplaced in a crisis response role,providin

110、g dry,warm(or cool)spaces,electricity and internet connectionsfor those who no longer have accessto these at home(SDGs 7 and 13).Andas we saw during the Pandemic,manylibraries stood up to fill the gap left bythe closure of schools and otherservices.The need for such centres isnot likely to diminish

111、in years to come.196.An increasingly uncertain world intensifies challengesand complicates service-deliveryYet even when libraries themselvesare spared,growing uncertainty islikely to see them more frequentlyplaced in a crisis response role“20Response:an immediate priority is to ensure themeaningful

112、 integration of librariesand their collections into widerdisaster-risk management planning.This is partly about the preservation oflibrary buildings,collections and staffat a higher level,although planning inindividual libraries is paramount.Through this,we can safeguardinvaluable collections and en

113、sureuninterrupted access to criticalinformation and services duringcrises.Planning is necessary to makelibraries more resilient and improvetheir reaction systems,which willlessen the harmful effects of disasters.However,it is also about how librariesof all sorts can be mobilised as factorsof prepare

114、dness and recovery.Fromcommunity centres to key nodes innetworks for sharing informationabout risks,and from the holders ofcollections that can support researchand build resilience to key interfacesbetween the scientific community anddecision-makers,libraries can andshould be in the picture.We can l

115、everage our expertise andresources to empower communities tonavigate uncertainty and drivepositive change,ensuring thatlibraries remain indispensable pillarsof support in an increasingly uncertainworld.Using frameworks like theSustainable Development Goals canhelp ensure a more holistic approach.Whi

116、le libraries have a uniquely widepotential to contribute todevelopment across the 2030 Agenda,they do not and should not need todo so alone.Crucially,they can oftenachieve more,and reach more people,when working in partnership withothers,combining their spaces,collections and services with theknowle

117、dge and other resources thatothers can bring.However,at a time of pressure onpublic funding,and the ongoingstickiness of old stereotypes aboutlibraries,there is a risk that otherstakeholders who might be able towork with libraries simply do notrealise the potential,or are not readyto take on the tra

118、nsaction costsnecessary to do so.A particularchallenge is ongoing fragmentation ingovernance that,for example,canmake it hard for library authorities tocooperate with education authorities.Within the library field too in a pointalso highlighted in last years TrendReport there can be a tendency totry

119、 and do everything by ourselves.This can be due either to an excessivesense of the uniqueness of ourinstitutions and our goals that risks leading to incompatibilities withothers,or once again,a sense thatpartnerships just take too much effortDevelopment impact:as with a number of other trendsalready

120、 highlighted here,the resultsof a continued resistance or difficultyin forming partnerships is lesseffective action in the areas ofsustainable development wherelibraries can make a difference,thatsto say more or less all of them!Of course,this trend also relatesdirectly to SDG17(Partnerships for the

121、Goals),which serves to underline themessage across the 2030 Agenda thatsuccess will be a collaborative effort,or it will not happen at all.SDG17 is,notably,one of the two enablinggoals(alongside SDG16)focused oncreating the conditions for all of theother Goals to be achieved.Response:Libraries ought

122、 to be empowered toforge collaborative partnerships withdiverse stakeholders dedicated toadvancing public interest objectivesand addressing community needs.Itis essential for libraries to cultivateconfidence and readiness inestablishing partnerships,understanding their uniquecontributions and potent

123、ial impact.Byfostering a culture of collaboration,libraries can leverage collectiveexpertise and resources to effectivelyaddress societal challenges andenhance community well-being.217.There are persistent and growing barriers to buildingpartnerships for developmentWhile libraries have a uniquely wi

124、depotential to contribute todevelopment across the 2030Agenda,they do not and should not need to do so alone.“22There are also practical tools that canbe developed here,for examplebetween peak organisations(libraryassociations,national libraries,orlibrary agencies and theircounterparts)that make con

125、nectionson the ground easier,such as modelagreements,or simply good practices.Yet we should also be ready to call outadministrative and legal barriers thatmake it harder to work with othersthat it needs to be.Given that failingto address these leads to a potentiallysignificant opportunity cost,it sh

126、ouldbe in the interests of the authorities(both executives and legislatures)tobe aware of such situations,and bechallenged to look for responses.In another trend that is perhaps moreof a lack of a trend,there is thepersistence of unevenness in services between rural and urban areas,between poorer an

127、d richer regions,and between more and less developedcountries.This continues to mark thelibrary field and its ability to supportdevelopment.Rural,isolated orremote areas dont just poseadditional challenges to anyone tryingto provide a universal service,butthose providing the service too oftencannot

128、call on the same depth ofresources as can be possible inwealthier urban environments.In other words,libraries can serve asessential services to underservedpopulations with limited access toformal schooling.They often provideaccess to various technologyresources.However,these servicescan only be offe

129、red as equally as theyare supported.While big centrallibraries in cities or larger universitiescan benefit from economies of scaleand potentially take more risks,this isnot so easy in the case of smaller,dispersed networks which may haveone,or even no professional librariansin key roles.In turn,they

130、 can be calledupon to serve communities markedwith lower levels of literacy,poorerinternet connectivity and more.Smaller libraries may also find itharder to engage in the sorts ofprojects that could allow additionalrevenue generation.238.Persistent geographical inequalities are reinforced byunequal

131、investment in public servicesIn some countries,we still see libraryand information workers unsureabout whether they will be paid atthe end of the month,or even forhow many hours they can count onelectricity,while others do not evenhave to think about these,and canfocus their efforts on other issues.

132、“Development impact:the chief impact of this ongoingunevenness is that depending onwhere someone is born,grows up,orsubsequently lives,they may havedramatically different levels of supportfrom libraries.In turn,this affects how far they canenjoy access to education(SDG 4),how far they can participat

133、e in scienceand research(SDG 9),and of coursewhether they are able to accessinformation(SDG 16).And followingthis,there is the risk of reinforcingdivides by leaving those already indisadvantaged areas moredisadvantaged still(SDG 11).Yet the unevenness also represents arisk for the ability of librari

134、es to workas a system.Within countries,stronger networks translate into agreater ability to deliver change at thenational level,as well as creatingwider opportunities for staff todevelop.While having a few starinstitutions can help in drivinginnovation,the case for libraries in 24general rests on th

135、em providing agreat service for everyone.Response:while broader strategies for balancedregional development play a key rolehere(for example through investmentin public services in general to addressdifferent aspects of inequality),thereis a value in libraries themselveslooking at how to deliver serv

136、ices indeprived areas.Enhanced coordination andnetworking within countries canfacilitate seamless collaborationamong library services,bolstered bybroader investments in redistribution.Leveraging technology,languageaccessibility,and system automationcan further streamline these efforts,enabling effic

137、ient communication andresource sharing across libraries ofvarying sizes and locations.Harnessing the potential of theinternet,especially in remote ruralareas,presents unprecedentedopportunities to expand access to aplethora of services,empoweringeven the smallest libraries to serve asvibrant hubs of

138、 knowledge andcommunity engagement.We also gain by prioritisingprofessional development andinitiatives tailored to enabling librariesto respond to the needs of ruralcommunities.Similarly,developingtypes of(digital)central serviceprovision can help make life at least alittle easier for colleagues,and

139、 helpensure that just by living in a poor orremote area,you are not gettingworse services.Libraries can of course also partnerwith local governments,outreachprograms,and other potentialpartners,libraries have the ability tobuild innovative programs that helpadvance and build communities.Internationa

140、lly,the argument is muchthe same.Engagement ininternational cooperation,for examplethrough organisations like IFLA,offersa chance to draw on the ideas ofothers,and even to leapfrog stages ofdevelopment,for example throughsmart use of digital tools.Throughthis,we can move towards the goal ofeveryone

141、enjoying great libraryservices.Our ninth trend looks specifically atthe status of librarians.As mentionedabove,one consequence of tighterbudgets has been a tendency to relyless on trained and dedicated staff,and to draw more on volunteers andothers.While the commitment,energyand ideas of volunteers

142、is not justwelcome,but also essential for manyaspects of how libraries work(forexample public and communitylibraries),this is a complement,ratherthan a replacement for what a trainedlibrarian can bring in terms ofknowledge,skills and professionalethics.And yet,we do see in many countriesa trend towa

143、rds weakeningcommitments to ensuring thatlibraries have librarians,and even toclosing down training opportunitiesfor future professionals.As it becomesmore and more common to see non-specialists in these roles,it becomesmore widely assumed that this can bedone everywhere.What this doesntshow,of cour

144、se,is how much elsecould have been achieved with trainedpersonnel in place.In parallel,and as highlighted in thetitle,there is the risk,for example inschools and universities,thatlibrarians are seen as auxiliary staff,rather than having an essential andsubstantive role to play in theacademic success

145、 of learners of allages.Translated to a broader context,this approach in turn risks building thesense that librarians are simply support personnel,rather than expertprofessionals in their own right,ableto help the people and communitiesthey serve fulfil their potential,as wellas enjoy their rights.T

146、hey do notnecessarily enjoy the space andconfidence to adapt to change,and beproactive in identifying how andwhere they can make the difference.Development impact:in looking at the consequences of thischange,there needs to be a particularfocus on what librarians bring tolibraries.Typically,this incl

147、udes theability to make spaces trulywelcoming for all,as well as toprovide services and support that goto the heart of what users really need.Librarians at their best can becommunity builders,guarantors ofrights,and have key insights into therequirements of individuals andgroups,as well as offering

148、ever morevital insights into how to navigate theinformation environment.In turn,deprofessionalisationtherefore risks meaning lessresponsiveness to need,which is likelyto harm efforts to address poverty(SDG1)and inequality(SDGs 5 and 10).It removes a key infrastructure forbuilding communities and pro

149、tectingheritage(SDG 11)as well assupporting research(SDG 9),andindeed for more broadly ensuring theeffectiveness of policy interventionsacross the board(SDG 16).259.Library and information workers are seen as auxiliaries,rather than development actors in their own right26Response:part of the picture

150、 here as alreadymentioned a few times is aroundensuring that librarians are proactiveand explain clearly,convincingly andpersistently why they matter.We mustcombat fatalistic attitudes within ourprofession.Librarians shouldemphasise the importance ofcontinuous learning and professionaldevelopment,an

151、d receive theresource for this.This would ensurethat we remain at the forefront ofinnovation,equipping us with theskills needed to address evolvingchallenges and effectively serve ourcommunities.But beyond this,there is a need forwider advocacy to build consensusaround the need to defendprofessional

152、 librarianship.Throughcollective action and advocacy,we canelevate the status of library andinformation workers worldwide,fostering a culture of professionalismand agency within our profession.Additionally,we gain by resistingefforts to remove obligations to hirelibrarians for librarian roles,but al

153、sooffer possibilities for non-librariancolleagues to build skills and helpthem fulfil their potential,rather thanseeking to exclude them.Library and information workers needalso to be better equipped to workthrough periods of difficulty andtransition.We would also benefit fromcreating robust diversi

154、ty,equity,andinclusion policies that seek toempower colleagues and thecommunities that they serve,In this,it will be important to buildallies.Working with potential partners,such as teachers and researchers canpotentially help here.So too can textssuch as the UNESCO-IFLA PublicLibrary Manifesto,whic

155、h set outeffectively,at the level ofgovernments,why the work oflibrarians matters.Through collective action andadvocacy,we can elevate the statusof library and information workersworldwide,fostering a culture ofprofessionalism and agency withinour profession.“Globalisation has appeared indifferent t

156、rend reports,both insideand outside of the library field,fordecades,and so it is perhaps not asurprise to see it here.The specificangle we are interested in is aroundpossibilities for cross-borderinformation access and sharing.Forexample,for more and more people,itis becoming usual to look beyondnat

157、ional borders when it comes tolearning,networking,building careers,or developing research projects.Much of this is down to technology.Improved bandwidth and cheaperdevices make following courses orworking closely with colleagues inother countries easier.Automatictranslation is,at least in the case o

158、fsome language pairings,removingbarriers that used to exist.And workbehind the scenes to develop linkeddata and the semantic web meansthat we can bring together verydiverse sources in new ways.These advances towards a truly globalinformation and knowledge landscapeare matched by user expectations.Th

159、e generation that grew up with theinternet are already in their mid-30s,at least in some countries,and haveknown little other than a world whereinformation is available withoutnecessarily knowing or even caringabout where in the world it comesfrom,as long as it meets a need.Yet libraries need to kee

160、p up with this.Having for so long been the gatewayto the wider world,it is important toavoid becoming seen as a dead-end,maintaining increasingly smallpatches(in relative terms)of thewider information space.In particularwhen different library types do notwork together,we also missopportunities to ge

161、t specialisedknowledge into the hands of thepeople that want or need it.2710.Globalisation continues,opening up new expectationsfor information accessHaving for so long been the gatewayto the wider world,it is important toavoid becoming seen as a dead-end,maintaining increasingly smallpatches(in rel

162、ative terms)of thewider information space.“Development impact:the internationalisation ofinformation,as already hinted atabove,has a potentially powerful roleto play in supporting the achievementof goals from education(SDG4)and 28research(SDG9)to enabling betterplanning for risk and resilience(SDG11

163、),not least in the context ofhealth disasters(SDG3).Clearly,this internationalisation istaking place with or without libraries.However,when libraries are nottaking part in it,this risks being muchless of a force for positive change.Beyond what libraries do inconnecting people to this space(apoint co

164、vered in the next trend),thereis the fact that our collections,collectively,represent a wealth ofinformation that does have value,forany of civil,research or culturalreasons.For vulnerable communitiesin particular,libraries can be keyrepositories of memory,and while ofcourse any sharing of informati

165、onneeds to be done sensitively,there areimportant opportunities for ensuringa more diverse internet that reflectsthe wider world(SDG 10).Response:part of the answer here is legislative there should be a positive agenda atthe national and international levels toensure that libraries have both therigh

166、ts and confidence to actinternationally,making collectionsavailable as far as possible,as well ashelping their communities to accessand use the information they need,wherever it is.Beyond this,there is the value ofworking in a more networked way,being ready to build collectivecollections,and strivin

167、g to buildstronger and more effectiveconnections.We can leverage thediversity and depth of the library field to maximise reach and facilitateknowledge transfer,researchpromotion,and broader communityengagement.Crucially,when weencounter challenges,we should lookconstructively at how we can addressth

168、em,and through this,use thediversity and depth of skills andknowledge in our field to maximisereach.A key point highlighted in IFLAsDevelopment and Access toInformation reports is that while thereare positive trends when it comes tothe high-level figures for internetconnectivity,this does notautomat

169、ically translate into digitalinclusion.In particular,despite thisprogress,gender digital divides haveremained,and in some casesbroadened.Moreover,work to getmore people online has not beenmatched by the skills or rights thatwould allow them to make meaningfuluse of the internet.The cost of devicesre

170、presents a further potential factor ofdivision.A lack of meaningful internet access,devices,skills or content in turn canlead to a growing development divide,given that more and more aspects oflife are moving online.For example,with global efforts to promote digitalpublic infrastructures,the roll-ou

171、t ofeGovernment in all parts of the worldmoves closer.This offers great ways toserve more people,more effectively,than before,but of course alsonecessitates on-ramps.Otherwise,even the most urgently needed digitaltools risk being out of reach.The divide also exists betweenlibraries,with too many rem

172、ainingunconnected either because few if anyin an area are,or because givingaccess to the internet through them isnot seen as a priority,despite all thepositive experience.Finally,over and above the cost andpractical barriers to access to and useof the internet,there is also distrustand fear(mirrorin

173、g the trends drivingaccelerated efforts to regulate thenet).If people see going online asdangerous and difficult,they are lesslikely to do so,either remainingoffline or stuck within specificenvironments,such as those created(and promoted)by major platformsand app developers.Development impact:there

174、is no lack of work arounddevelopment and ICTs,and indeedthe importance of ensuring thatconnectivity supports positive change,from the global to the individual level,has been at the heart of work aroundinternet governance for at least 20years.The message from this is clear that a lack of connectivity

175、(SDGs 9and 17)can represent a seriousbarrier to wider chances of fulfillinghuman rights and achievingsustainable development(all SDGs).Focusing on libraries,the risks comingfrom both failing to mobilise librariesas part of wider digital inclusionstrategies are much the same as inthe cases mentioned

176、above theneglect of a key,tried and testedplayer in achieving policyeffectiveness,and in particular,turning information into real worldchange.Given libraries particular rolein supporting people andcommunities facing wider challenges,2911.Even as connectivity improves,the digital divide ispersistent

177、and getting more seriousthe non-incorporation of libraries intoplanning risks making efforts topromote inclusion harder.30Response:the most obvious steps here lie withgovernment,and in particular theneed finally to fulfil commitments toconnect all libraries and othercommunity anchor institutions.Thi

178、swould represent a strong first step,with the next being to recognise theplace of libraries as multi-functionalactors in digital inclusion strategies.LIbraries must also be activelyinvolved in digital planning to bridgethe gap and maximise their impact ondevelopment.As for libraries ourselves,This c

179、an come both through ensuringthat we fully embrace digitaltechnologies ourselves(withoutdenying the ongoing importance ofthe physical),and learning amongstourselves on what helps users makethe leap into using the internet safelyand confidently.We can useframeworks such as the SustainableDevelopment

180、Goals to ensure that ourwork with technology is focused ondelivering real-world benefits.In particular,for example,libraries candevelop workshops or publicinformation,such as flyers or posters,that seek to address misinformationabout the Internet while providinginstruction on the ethical usage ofonl

181、ine platforms.They can also address the digitaldevice divide by seeking funding forhotspots or other tools.we need a constructive,if criticalapproach to the internet,andperhaps a stronger sense of agencyand even responsibility in helpingusers make the most of it.“Of all of the trends set out in this

182、report,this final one is perhaps themost internal to the library field,evenif it may find its roots in externalfactors.Indeed,it also brings togetherin some ways elements of other issueshighlighted in this report.In short,with tighter funding environments,challenges in securing understandingand part

183、nerships,and a moreunstable world,it can indeed seem weare simply moving from one crisis tothe next.This can logically encourage the reflexof focusing just on core services,andhow to preserve these,rather thansetting aside the time to look to thefuture.Indeed,when we are worriedand anxious,we are no

184、rmally not well-placed to take the long view and planfor the future.Such exercises normallyrequire the time and space to imagine,something that will feel scarce formany.There is also a strong focus onannual budgeting and planning,whichdiscourages projects that will only payoff in the long-term,or in

185、deed fullerassessments of community needs.Strategic thinking itself,of course,is askill,and one that needs to benurtured throughout careers,andthroughout life.Yet education withinthe field,in many counties,alsoremains focused on initialqualifications,and risks not doingenough to prepare for uncertai

186、nty,orto plan for the longer term.Development impact:the UNs 2030 Agenda demands newways of approaching policyimplementation challenges(such asthose taken on by libraries),but inturn,these require us to pivot in ourthinking,plan for the future,andpotentially take risks.Without this,major policy chal

187、lenges wherelibraries could make a bigcontribution are neglected(all SDGs).In particular,the logic of sustainabilityitself obliges a more strategicapproach,making more time to thinkabout,and to integrate,the futureinto the decisions we are makingtoday.This is a long way from franticreactions to thre

188、ats.Yet if we do notact,we are less able to deal withthreats in the future,and so morelikely to see libraries role in improvinglives and communities restricted.Response:the answer here lies more within thefield,although it is certainly true thatwhere governments and others havean influence,then they

189、 can alsocontribute(for example throughobliging and paying for more regulartraining,or promoting multi-yearbudgeting).Promoting life-long learning initiativesand expand educational offeringsbeyond formal settings(both forourselves and our communities)enhances resilience andresponsiveness.Collective

190、efforts cancultivate a culture of strategic thinking3112.We are too busy dealing with crises to thinkstrategically and ensure libraries remain resilientagents of positive change.We also plan for the future byinvesting in talent developmentstrategies that are designed tocultivate future leaders,and g

191、ivingthem chances to develop skills thatcomplement those they gather informal education.Associations canhave a particular role here byofferings spaces to step outside offrantic everyday life,and developingtools that help librarians structuretheir thinking,and feel moreempowered and confidence inresponding to change.Strategies in this space should beaccompanied by comprehensivemonitoring systems,which helplibraries keep track of what is and isnot working.32TRENDREPORTIFLA HeadquartersPrins Willem-Alexanderhof 5,2595 BE The HagueThe Netherlands+31-70-3140884iflaifla.orgwww.ifla.org