English

The International Federation of Library Associations in Germany

Objectives

The National Committee of the „International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA)“ in Germany plays a key role in supporting and linking up local IFLA activities and in representing German interests within IFLA.

The successful transfer of knowledge, experience and know-how is as much an integral part of the National Committee’s work as it is to relate library policy topics from an international professional context to the national library setting in Germany. At the same time, the NC aims to present library developments and library policies in Germany at an international level and to include them in international lobbying.

This mission statement defines the role, function and strategic focus of the IFLA National Committee Germany (IFLA-NC).

Tasks

1. The IFLA National Committee Germany coordinates and supports the dedicated German approach to the IFLA and within the IFLA:

  • Implementation of a long-term strategy in order to ensure a proportionate German representation in as many IFLA boards and committees as possible and at IFLA events (nomination of candidates; support of the participation in IFLA conferences)
  • Discussion of topical international IFLA matters within the IFLA National Committee.

2. The IFLA National Committee Germany informs German library staff about IFLA activities and links these activities to the strategic discussion on library policies and library strategy in Germany:

  • Transfer of international IFLA ideas to German
  • Presence and presentation of international IFLA topics at library events in Germany
  • Localisation of the English IFLA website for German audiences
  • Preparatory coordination of the German participation in IFLA conferences (i.a. realisation of the caucus meeting)
  • The IFLA NC Germany strengthens the network and support of active IFLA members by developing appropriately targeted measures, e.g. induction events for newly nominated colleagues
  • In this context, the IFLA NC Germany plans to develop an ideal-type role profile of an active IFLA member, outlining the expectations towards a professional working in this area as well as the support network available to her/him.

3. The IFLA National Committee Germany coordinates and supports – in close and trusting cooperation with Bibliothek & Information International (BI-International, the competency network for libraries and with other institutions – the transfer of knowledge related to specialist topics and library policy matters in Germany into the international professional community and vice versa.

Approach

The secretariat of the IFLA National Committee Germany coordinates the activities, i.e.

  • Reporting about IFLA NC Germany activities and strategic guidance on IFLA scholarships for Germans
  • Coordination of the nomination procedure for the election of IFLA functions
  • Organisation of the Committee’s annual meetings
  • Candidature check for a potential future IFLA conference in Germany
  • Management and maintenance of the Internet presence

The IFLA National Committee Germany has one chairperson.

Members

German professional associations and German libraries of supraregional significance are to be represented within the IFLA NC in the future. The members of the IFLA National Committee Germany are:

  • Association of German Librarians (Verein Deutscher Bibliothekare, VDB)
  • Federal Association of German Library and Information Associations (Bibliothek & Information Deutschland, BID )
  • Specialist Libraries Association (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Spezialbibliotheken, ASpB)
  • Association for Library and Information Professionals (Berufsverband Information Bibliothek, BIB)
  • German Library Association (Deutscher Bibliotheksverband, dbv)
  • German National Library (Deutsche Nationalbibliothek, DNB)
  • Berlin State Library – Prussian Cultural Heritage (Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin – Preußischer Kulturbesitz, SBB-PK)
  • Bavarian State Library (Bayerische Staatsbibliothek München, BSB)
  • Saxon State and University Library (Sächsische Landesbibliothek, Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Dresden, SLUB)
  • Goethe-Institut (Goethe-Institut, Bereich Bibliotheken)

Further institutional members can request to be co-opted. In addition, cooperating with notable libraries as well as working with several non-library organisations complements the IFLA National Committee’s work.

Partnerships and Single-Project Cooperation

Through organisations represented by the members, partnerships and cooperation for individual projects broadens the range of activities of the IFLA National Committee Germany. Partnering institutions are:

  • Bibliothek & Information International (standing committee for the promotion of international professional exchange)
  • Network of Excellence for Libraries
  • Federal Foreign Office
  • German Academic Exchange Service
  • German Research Foundation