IFLA TREND

REPORT
UPDATE 2023
Realising libraries’ potential as partners
for development

Based on the contributions of:

Mohd Ismail Abdin, Vivian Ampsonah, Evie Cordell,
Bryan Boy Cortez, Zoë Dunlop, Lyudmila Dyadyk,
Xiaofang Zhang

INSIGHTS FROM THE

TREND
REPORT
IFLA is the Global Voice of the Library and
Information Profession

IFLA puts libraries on the global stage and helps them develop.

We are the global voice and the largest brains trust of the library and information
profession, with an active network of more than 1,400 Members – leading institutions and
players in the library field – in over 150 countries, and well-established relations with the UN
and other international organisations.

Together with our Members we work to set the professional agenda and develop standards
in library service provision, to improve access to information and cultural heritage
resources, and to place this work at the heart of local, national and global policies.

Contributors to the Original Trend Report:

Olivier Crepin-Leblond, Chairman Internet Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education,
Corporation for Assigned Names and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Numbers (ICANN) At-large Advisory Committee Development (OECD)
(ALAC)
Suneet Singh Tuli, Founder and CEO, DataWind
Anriette Esterhuysen, CEO, Association for Ltd
Progressive Communications (APC)
Fred Stielow, VP/Dean of Libraries, American
Divina Frau-Meigs, Professor, Université du Public University System
Paris III: Sorbonne Nouvelle
Fred von Lohmann, Legal Director, Copyright,
Melissa Gregg, Principal Investigator, Intel Google Inc.*
Center for Social Computing
Louis Zacharilla, Co-founder, Global Intelligent
John Houghton, Professorial Fellow, Centre for Community Forum
Strategic Economic Studies, Victoria
University *Commenting in a personal capacity

Deborah Jacobs, Director, Global Libraries, Bill & Trend Report updates are available for
Melinda Gates Foundation 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021. All are available
on the Trend Report website:
Mariéme Jamme, CEO, Spot One Global https://trends.ifla.org/.
Solutions

Janis Karklins, Assistant Director General for

Communication and Information, UNESCO

Alejandro Pisanty, Professor, National

Autonomous University of Mexico

Lee Rainie, Director, Internet & American Life

Project, Pew Research Center* For press enquiries and further information please
contact: Stephen Wyber, IFLA Policy and Advocacy
Kate Russell, Presenter, BBC Click Online Manager ([email protected])

2
WHAT IS THE IFLA TREND REPORT?

The original IFLA Trend Report is These can all be found on the Trend
the result of a dialogue between the Report website – trends.ifla.org.
library field and experts from a
range of disciplines. Crucially, these are intended,
collectively, as a starting point – a
By crossing experience and catalyst – for discussion both within
perspectives, it provided a new the library field, and when talking
opportunity to explore and discuss with external partners. It is a
the emerging trends that are support for thinking about what we
shaping the world in which libraries need to do to be prepared for what
work. is to come, so that libraries do not
only survive, but thrive.
The first Report identified five high-
level trends in the global That is where you come in. The
information environment, spanning goals we set ourselves, and the
access to information, education, actions we take to achieve them,
privacy, civic engagement and will have a decisive influence on
technological transformation. It did how big a role our institutions will
not seek to predict the future, but play in the evolving information
rather to explore the forces that will landscape.
influence it.
We encourage you to use the IFLA
Yet the Trend Report is not just a Trend Report Update to organise
single static publication report, but and facilitate creative workshops
a dynamic and evolving set of with your community, network,
online resources for library and colleagues or staff.
information professionals.
Join the conversation online using
Alongside the original report, there the tag #IFLATrendReport, stay
is a range of data and information tuned to news from IFLA at ifla.org,
for libraries to use, share and build and follow us on Facebook and
on, including a bibliography and Twitter!
literature review of existing trend
reports, expert papers and
discussion summaries.

Subsequent updates opened up new

paths and questions for reflection,
bringing in new voices from inside
and outside of the library field.

3
 Foreword - Vicki McDonald
IFLA President 2023-2025

Gamba daru* colleagues

I am proud to share with you the IFLA Trend Report 2023, which
brings together the insights and ideas shared by emerging
leaders at our 2023 World Library and Information Congress.

This Report is all about impact – the positive impact that libraries
do, can, and aspire to achieve for the communities they serve. And
it’s about the factors that shape how far we can realise this
potential.

In my own work at the State Library of Queensland, as a former

President of the Australian Library and Information Association,
and now as President of IFLA, I am strongly focused on how we
can ensure that we are making this difference.

My experience of this is what drove my choice of the theme

‘Stronger Together’ for my presidency. I’m excited to see this
reflected in the ideas shared by our emerging leaders, who have
highlighted both the value of stronger cooperation within our
field, but also closer links with other stakeholders.

I hope that the trends identified here will help provide a structure
for thinking through how we can maximise our contribution to
sustainable development, and of course a reminder of the insight
– and foresight – that our emerging leaders can bring to our work.

* ”Gamba daru” means “Good day” in

the language of the Barunnggam
people from the Darling Downs
FOREWORD

region of Dalby and Bunya

Mountains – the community where I
grew up in Queensland, Australia.

4
 This is the first of two Trend Reports coming out this year, with the
launch of our 2024 edition at the Information Futures Summit that
I’m honoured to be hosting in my hometown, Brisbane, Australia in
September and October.

Work is already well underway on the 2024 report, which will look
at broader 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 McDonald
FOREWORD

5
Introduction
Libraries are at the vanguard of This choice partially reflects the
creating positive change theme of the Congress - Let’s Work
worldwide, whether it is by Together, Let’s Library - which
promoting inclusivity in various emphasised libraries’ roles in
communities, overcoming outdated building more inclusive and
perceptions, or managing the durable societies. But it also draws
challenges of internet connectivity. on IFLA’s long-standing
Yet in light of the rapid evolution of engagement around the United
technology as well as societal and Nations’ 2030 Agenda, through
global challenges, libraries are which we advocate for the role of
under pressure to (re)define their libraries as actors in driving
contribution to development. development at all levels.

Welcome to the latest edition of the In this work, we underline the

IFLA Trend Report, focused on 12 power of information - and
trends that shape how libraries, in welcoming spaces staffed by
turn, shape development. dedicated people with a proactive
approach to helping others - as a
This edition of the IFLA Trend key enabler of progress across the
Report in some ways represents a board, from supporting internet
continuation of the two previous access to sharing public health
ones. Like them, it is the result of information, from enabling
the contributions of emerging innovation to safeguarding and
leaders from around the world. giving access to heritage as a key
Specifically, it brings together the cultural right.
contributions of applicants for
emerging leaders’ grants at the Crucially, we argue in this context
2023 World LIbrary and that there is much more that
Information Congress, held in libraries can do, if their potential is
Rotterdam. recognised, and they are fully
incorporated into planning and
Yet there is also a difference. delivery processes.
Rather than looking at trends in
general terms, and how (also in
general terms) we can respond,
this edition looks specifically at the
trends that influence libraries’
ability to deliver on sustainable
development.
6
So what is holding us back? What We have a choice - between
trends, both within libraries and stagnation and activation, between
outside, are limiting our capacity to fading into irrelevance and
deliver, and what can we do about constantly exploring how the
it? That is the question that the fundamental missions of libraries
emerging leaders at our Rotterdam can apply today, between letting
Congress sought to answer. others (mis)define us and asserting
The identified trends shed light on our place as essential actors in any
the dynamic environment that effort to build better societies and
influences libraries’ development economies. Choosing
contributions, highlighting the responsiveness, reinvention and
necessity of collaborations, relevance also requires renewal,
strategic investments, and which in turn means working
acknowledgement of changing always to ensure that members of
responsibilities within the global the profession with energy and
knowledge ecosystem. ideas are able to realise their
potential. IFLA is therefore grateful
In each case, drawing on the to the emerging leaders who came
insights and contributions of the forward to share their energy and
emerging leaders, we explore the ideas in 2023.
trend, before setting out
specifically what impacts this might This report is the last in the current
have on libraries’ contribution to series of ‘smaller’ updates to the
development. Each section then Trend Report. Later in 2024, we are
offers a few ideas about how looking forward to releasing a new
libraries and others can respond. ‘major’ update, that will follow in
Through this, despite the the footsteps of the 2013 original.
admittedly negative framing of the In the meanwhile, we are looking
report as being around challenges forward to new announcements
and limitations to libraries’ ability to and activities to support emerging
impact the world for the better, this leaders globally.
report also offers positive ideas for
how we can move forwards. Happy reading!

The fact that the report comes

from emerging leaders is therefore
particularly important.

7
Trend Report Update
2023 Contributors

Mohd Ismail Abdin, Malaysia

Vivian Ampsonah, Ghana

Evie Cordell, United States

Bryan Boy Cortez, Philippines

Zoë Dunlop, Germany

Lyudmila Dyadyk, Ukraine

Xiaofang Zhang, China

#IFLATrendReport

8
The trends
1 Libraries are increasingly seen as
irrelevant in a changing world
9 Library and information workers
are seen as auxiliaries, rather than
development actors in their own

2 The world is going down a path that

discounts the value of community-
right

driven infrastructures, and of

information for development
10 Globalisation continues, opening up
new expectations for information
access

3 In many countries, public spending –

and so scope for investment – is
tightening
11 Even as connectivity improves, the
digital divide is persistent and
getting more serious

4 More diverse societies make delivering

universal services and achieving equity
more complicated
12 We are too busy dealing with crises
to think strategically

5 Regulation of digital spaces is

accelerating, but without
consideration of impacts on how
libraries support development

6 An increasingly uncertain world

intensifies challenges and complicates
service-delivery

7 There are persistent and growing

barriers to building partnerships for
development

8 Persistent geographical inequalities

are reinforced by unequal investment
in public services

#IFLATrendReport
8
1. Libraries are increasingly seen as irrelevant in a
changing world

The first trend is a broad one, and Another potential outcome is that
relates to the assumption held by libraries end up taking on unfunded
some in our societies that libraries are tasks, despite having been forgotten
essentially a legacy institution, serving by those preparing policies. For
a function that has either been taken example, they jobseekers find work, or
over by technology, which is very citizens in general apply for benefits.
narrow (for example, as one of the Yet because they were neglected, they
less glamorous parts of the wider don’t receive the support necessary to
culture field), or which is no longer fulfil these roles. This places additional
necessary in general. Communities pressure on libraries, potentially
and other stakeholders risk, as a reducing their ability to deliver on
result, simply not thinking of libraries other work.
when they are considering which
actors can be mobilised in order to Response:
deliver change, while libraries’ own on the side of decision-makers and
potential is limited by frozen or other stakeholders, the change
reduced funding. needed is simple – there is a need to
take seriously the call in the 2030
Libraries of course do work to address Agenda to work with all stakeholders.
these perceptions, and demonstrate

“
both the continued importance of
their core missions (in providing
access to information and the skills to Planning based on stereotypes that
use it), as well as developing new are not only old, but may not even
activities which draw on their people, have been accurate in the past, is a
spaces and resources, but stereotypes poor strategy.
are ‘sticky’, and persuading people to
rethink is hard.
For libraries, we have to be realistic –
Development impact: perceptions will not change by
when development policies are themselves. We need to see advocacy
prepared (from SDG 1 to SDG 17), the as a key part of delivering for our
risk is that those drafting them communities, as without it, we can’t.
wrongly discount how libraries can Importantly, we can support change
contribute to making them a success. here. Efforts must be made to ensure
This can lead to lower policy that policymakers and stakeholders
effectiveness, with, for example, less recognise the transformative potential
productive outreach to parts of the of modern libraries and integrate
population who may otherwise be out
of reach.
9
them effectively into development
strategies.

To do this, we must make sure that we

are able to speak the language of
decision-makers and other
stakeholders, and avoid simply
assuming that they will understand
the value of what we do in our own
terms. We should be innovative, and
even surprising, in how we present
ourselves, and be able to show how
we are also able to reevaluate our
strategies, services, policies and
programming to remain relevant in
the digital age.

Finally, we must take proactive steps

to underscore our indispensable role,
not only to government entities and
stakeholders, but also to the wider
community. We must view ourselves -
and be viewed - as active participants
with a legitimate voice and valuable
contributions to offer. Our work is
indispensable, and we deserve
adequate funding to support it. We
possess the expertise and ingenuity to
effectively utilise resources and
maximise impact. It's crucial to
advocate for the recognition and
support our institutions need to
continue serving as essential pillars of
knowledge, education, and
enrichment within our communities.

10
2. We The world is going down a path that discounts the
value of community-driven infrastructures, and of
information for development

There appears, globally, to be a loss of institutional set-up that needs to be

trust in the value of community, and in challenged. Clearly, some measure of
particular community-driven criticism is healthy – neither
infrastructures. People are governments nor scientists should
encouraged to distrust institutions, overstate their own case – but gut
and fall back on their own perceptions feeling, political expediency and
and experiences. This is visible in wishful thinking clearly pose threats
everything from conspiracy theories to evidence-based decision-making.
(not least about ‘deep states’) to much
of the philosophy behind web 3.0 and Development impact:
the crypto boom, based on a sense The undervaluation of community-
that people need to free themselves driven infrastructure and information
from traditional institutions and for development presents profound
networks. Of course, such an obstacles to library organisations,
approach tends primarily to benefit hindering their capacity to fulfil their
those most able to exploit it. mission and effectively cater to the
needs of their communities. A
Community led institutions can of weakening of community structures
course suffer from the fact that their runs directly against SDG11 (which
impact (for example in building specifically focuses on strong
individual and collective wellbeing, communities) as well as SDG16 (which
and in delivering social capital) is focuses on institutions). It takes away
difficult to measure in monetary a whole set of tools for delivering on
terms, and so their role is development, and in particular ones
underestimated. Working at a that have a strong understanding of
community level nonetheless requires community needs and cultures. It also
give and take – people need to be able threatens broader resilience and
to cooperate and negotiate, while equality (SDG10) by leading to a
central governments need to be ready situation where everyone is thrown
to leave decision-making power to back on their own (unequal)
others. resources.

Linked to this is the trend towards the Meanwhile, challenges to the role and
questioning of the role of information place of information undermine
(including science and research). In efforts to ensure that policy is based
parallel, there is both a shamelessness on the best possible evidence base.
about lying by some in positions of Through this, it increases the chance
power, and a sense that scientific of mistakes, both wasting resources
knowledge is somehow part of a wider and leaving people and communities

11
in a worse position than they could Finally, we need to join efforts to
have been otherwise. In addition to uphold a healthy information
weakening decision-making, the risk is environment in policy and law. This
higher that people simply don’t cannot only be a question of
believe or act on what they are regulating the excesses of a few major
recommended or told to do, an internet platforms, but rather
obvious example being around low exploring how we – in partnership
uptake of vaccines during the COVID- with others – can build, positively, a
19 Pandemic in some countries. comprehensive agenda for
information integrity. In particular, we
Response: need to find ways to help people build
for libraries, the immediate goal curiosity, and learn to be critical and
should be to ensure that we are fully confident when working with
realising the potential of our role uncertainty, rather than leap to easy
within communities as spaces for conclusions.
accessing and generating knowledge
and so empowerment. We cannot
start to defend these things if we are
not able to deliver. This requires a real
openness and ability to listen and
understand, as well as a readiness to
change.

We then need to help communities

build awareness of the value of what
they have, and the readiness to
defend it. Through supporting civic
engagement, we help give more
people the confidence and skills to
advocate for and defend the
importance of institutions such as
ours.

“ By championing the value of

community-driven initiatives,
libraries can also strengthen their
impact, amplify their relevance, and
become indispensable agents of
positive change in society.

12
3. In many countries, public spending – and so scope for
investment – is tightening

While the Pandemic years saw – at within libraries removes a key factor
least in those countries with the supporting high-quality, user-focused
possibility to do so – significant services and programming.
government spending in order to
avoid or limit the risk of recession, we This deprives individuals of the
are now facing tougher times again, opportunity to cultivate fundamental
reminiscent of the years after the 2008 skills (SDG 4, 8) and access vital
financial crisis. There are many services (SDGs 1, 10), such as basic
reasons for this – difficulties in taxing information literacy and reliable
some major companies, low tax internet connectivity (SDG 9, 17), or to
revenues in general, inflation and high support research (SDG 9) or safeguard
prices, and political agendas focused heritage (SDG 11). Consequently,
on cutting debt and deficits. Yet the communities face barriers to
result is too often the same – acquiring knowledge, engaging in
investment in all public services, not lifelong learning, and participating
least libraries, is reduced. fully in the digital age. The lack of
investment in libraries exacerbates
Clearly, a greater or lower budget on existing inequalities and hampers
its own is not the only possible societal progress.
determinant of how effective libraries
can be in supporting sustainable Response:
development in their communities – Primarily, this is about protecting
this would be to discount the role of effective (public) spending. In this, we
the energy and innovation of library are likely to find allies in other sectors,
staff. However, cuts to budgets are such as education, health and social
painful, and too often do simply lead inclusion. Organisations here, for
to reduced output, and so impact. This example, regularly support efforts to
translates into fewer (professional) address tax avoidance and evasion, as
staff, less modern and welcoming well as to counter corruption.
spaces, less relevant materials and Libraries could well mobilise in this
tools, and too often as a result, fewer space, stressing the importance of
people through the doors. properly-funded public services.

Development impact: This also implies that we need to be

when there is insufficient government clearer and more effective in
funding, libraries are unable to defending our own corners. This is
provide essential resources and partly about ensuring that we can
services crucial for holistic community honestly tell funders that we are
development. In particular, while making the most effective use of the
volunteers can play an important role, resources we receive, but then also
the loss of professional positions being clear in our advocacy about
13
how spending on libraries is an
investment not a cost. As highlighted
above, we need to speak in terms that
decision-makers will understand and
respond to.

“ More broadly, we must work

collaboratively to overcome distrust
in public services, advocating for
equitable distribution of resources to
support libraries in fulfilling their
potential.

Through collective action and

advocacy, we can strengthen the
sustainability of library services and
contribute to the advancement of
librarianship worldwide.

12
14
4. More diverse societies make delivering universal
services and achieving equity more complicated

Societies around the world are Linked to this is the growing (and
evolving. Migration and other factors overdue) awareness of injustices done
mean that many communities look to indigenous peoples and
very different to how they did a communities, which have left (and
generation ago. Elsewhere, we are continue to leave) deep scars.
growing more and more aware of Libraries have a particular role to play
communities and vectors of diversity here, given past practices around the
that always existed, but which were way in which information has been
hidden or even suppressed due to old gathered, categorised and valued or
assumptions and beliefs, often at not.
serious personal cost. Monochrome,
monocultural, uniform groups are Development impact:
increasingly rare. clearly, allowing diversity to translate
into division runs directly counter to a
This report takes as a starting point number of SDGs, notably SDG1 (no
that diversity is a strength, both for poverty), SDG5 (gender equity),
individuals and for communities as a SDG10 (reduced inequalities), and
whole, but it should not be taken for SDG11 (sustainable cities and
granted that this strength will be communities). Yet in line with the
realised. Doing so can require a logic of leaving no-one behind, none
readiness to stop and reflect on how of the SDGs can be attained if anyone
existing structures and approaches is left out – for example, when a
may affect different groups. library user is not able to take part in
Otherwise even the most universalistic eLearning because they don’t have
service is at risk of becoming a driver basic skills, or are not comfortable in
of exclusion. It can also require the main language of the community,
positive efforts to build understanding then SDGs 9 and 17 are also more
and connection (linguistic, cultural and difficult to achieve.
social), and to fight the instinct to stick
with the familiar. Clearly, finding a way to provide basic

“
public services to everyone in a way
that works for them is also a broader
[Realising the potential of diversity] question of how to ensure that
can require a readiness to stop and everyone is able to fulfil their human
reflect on how existing structures rights.
and approaches may affect different
groups. Otherwise even the most
universalistic service is at risk of
becoming a driver of exclusion.

15
Response: Finally, ongoing work to raise
key elements of the response for awareness of the needs of indigenous
libraries are already implicit in the communities, as well as to reckon
above. We need to change the way we openly and honestly with past
think and act to better serve everyone practices is as much a task for libraires
in our communities, especially those as for any other institution. Building
who are poor, speak a language other and sustaining respectful and
than English, or have trouble with meaningful links with communities is
technology. It is also necessary to central to this.
think of new ways to provide services
that make them available and
welcoming to everyone, no matter
what their situation is, and to evaluate
what we do from the perspective of all
community measures.

We can also help in this work by

looking at the people we are
supporting, and trying to work out
who is missing, as well as advocating
for the recognition and empowerment
of marginalised groups in general. By
being open to different ideas and
experiences, we can better meet the
needs and solve the problems that
people from different situations face.
We need to actively work to close the
gaps and make libraries a place where
everyone feels valued, empowered,
and able to fully take advantage of the
chances they offer.

Another key part of the solution will

be around making sure that we have,
within our own workforce, the
greatest possible diversity. We need to
attract and retain diverse talent within
our profession to ensure that our
workforce reflects the communities
we serve. This means looking at our
recruitment policies, and once again,
recognising who is missing from our
workforces, and how we can give fair
opportunities to join and develop.

16
5. Regulation of digital spaces is accelerating, but without
consideration of impacts on how libraries support
development

The last few years have seen a race to to avoid regulation, or punishment)
regulate digital spaces, at the national, risk tending to block first and ask
regional and global levels. Faith in the questions later.

“
idea of a bottom-up internet, based
only on protocols and standards
agreed by the community, has been It is hard to regulate for the sort of
shaken as concerns grow about the careful judgement that libraries need
power of major platforms, and the to make when assessing whether and
net’s potential not just to perpetuate, how to acquire and provide access to
but also to intensify the harm caused materials
by sadly all-too-familiar human
behaviours such as criminality,
A parallel concern is around what
discrimination and more.
happens when governments
introduce divergences in how they
The speed of efforts to regulate is
regulate the internet, or fail to
driven, to some extent, by the desire
advance work to ensure that there are
of governments to get ‘first-mover
the same basic copyright exceptions
advantage’ – to set out rules that are
and limitations in all countries with
then more likely to be adopted as a
the possibility to work across borders.
kind of global standard. This is seen as
This is a key driver of internet
a way of benefitting your own
‘fragmentation’, which plays out in
companies, as they will then have
blocked content and services, as well
most experience of working within the
as uncertainty.
parameters set out.

Development impacts:
The problem is that speed in
the most immediate impact of
regulating – often based on very
internet regulation that fails to take
strongly held views about the virtue
account of the value of access to
(or not) of different actors and fears
information is that it becomes harder
about harms – does not necessarily
to deliver on SDG 16 (peace, justice
allow for a full consideration of how to
and strong institutions, which of
safeguard the potential of the internet
course includes target 10 on public
as a space or free expression and
access to information). But when
access to information. It is hard to
information flows are curtailed, we
regulate for the sort of careful
also see harm elsewhere – for
judgement that libraries need to make
example diasporas are cut off from
when assessing whether and how to
homelands (SDG 10), cross-border
acquire and provide access to
research becomes harder (SDG 9 and
materials, and too often, governments
17), the implicit goal of providing for
when regulating (or platforms looking
17
 access to the heritage of humanity is and integrity, and the ability to
blocked (SDG 11), and the potential to promote a culture of continuous
develop new technologies and learning.

“
businesses and so earn a livelihood
suffers (SDG 8).
A key part of this is about making
Response:
clear what the costs of interrupted
for libraries, one key aspect is a
information flows are. We cannot
readiness to get involved in
expect decision-makers to find out
discussions about how digital
for themselves about research
information flows are regulated.
projects which have had to be
Libraries have a unique and legitimate
restricted, or open access
voice in these discussions, given both
repositories which are facing major
their professional expertise in
uncertainty
questions around information, and
practically given their role in
No-one thought to make clear that
supporting internet access in
they should be exempted from rules
communities. We should see ourselves
intended for multi-billion dollar
– and be seen – as stakeholders in
platforms. Libraries are uniquely well
internet governance debates, and
placed to provide news from the front
even explore how we can help our
when it comes to the impacts of how
communities get more engaged, as
information flows are – or are not –
ultimately it is they who will bear the
being regulated. But to do this, we
consequences of reduced access to
need to engage with policymakers and
information and expression.
stakeholders and highlight the
importance of considering the impacts
Through this, we need to emphasise
of regulations on equal access to
the value of intellectual freedom and
information. Libraries should
professional judgement, as well as of
collaborate with others to balance
access to culture, research and
innovation and regulations around
education. We should also argue for a
various technologies while also
more positive approach, looking at
creating and promoting ethical
how we can ensure that every
practices.
individual has the access to the
information and skills they need to
thrive, rather than simply addressing
problems when they arise in a more
ad hoc way. We can also promote
digital literacy initiatives that can
empower users to navigate online
spaces responsibly and advocate for
policies that promote equitable access
to information for all. And of course
libraries approach these issues with
an understanding of cultural factors
18
6. An increasingly uncertain world intensifies challenges
and complicates service-delivery

While there are still those who noisily infrastructures, not least library
seek to deny it, the broad and science- buildings.
based consensus is that climate
change is real, and poses real threats Development impact:
to our way of life. It is already leading Inadequate protection of libraries and
not only to more dramatic events – their resources poses a significant risk
storms, flooding, fires and more – but of irreparable loss to communities,
also gentler but no less dangerous jeopardizing the achievement of SDG
changes that threaten everything 11. Moreover, disruptions to library
from agriculture to the preservation of operations call into question the
materials in library collections. The accessibility of essential public
trend is certainly towards these services for all individuals, directly
becoming more common, adding to impacting SDG 1.
existing challenges linked to natural
disasters such as earthquakes and Yet even when libraries themselves
volcanoes. are spared, growing uncertainty is
likely to see them more frequently
Climate-related events are likely, placed in a crisis response role,
through pressure on resources, to providing dry, warm (or cool) spaces,
feed into conflict. Yet much older electricity and internet connections
trends – greed, exclusive nationalism, for those who no longer have access
and hate – continue to trigger to these at home (SDGs 7 and 13). And
instability, insecurity and war. These as we saw during the Pandemic, many
clearly impact libraries and their libraries stood up to fill the gap left by
communities, at best through the closure of schools and other
disruption, and at worse through services. The need for such centres is
direct damage to libraries and their not likely to diminish in years to come.
collections, through negligence or by

“
design.

Finally, and linking to a trend Yet even when libraries themselves

highlighted above, pressure on public are spared, growing uncertainty is
spending risks limiting investment in likely to see them more frequently
wider safety and readiness. This is a placed in a crisis response role
dual problem – it not only means that
institutions and communities are less
able to respond to disasters and
uncertainty, but that such disasters
are more likely to happen, for example
through poorly-maintained
19
Response:
an immediate priority is to ensure the
meaningful integration of libraries
and their collections into wider
disaster-risk management planning.
This is partly about the preservation of
library buildings, collections and staff
at a higher level, although planning in
individual libraries is paramount.
Through this, we can safeguard
invaluable collections and ensure
uninterrupted access to critical
information and services during
crises. Planning is necessary to make
libraries more resilient and improve
their reaction systems, which will
lessen the harmful effects of disasters.

However, it is also about how libraries

of all sorts can be mobilised as factors
of preparedness and recovery. From
community centres to key nodes in
networks for sharing information
about risks, and from the holders of
collections that can support research
and build resilience to key interfaces
between the scientific community and
decision-makers, libraries can and
should be in the picture.

We can leverage our expertise and

resources to empower communities to
navigate uncertainty and drive
positive change, ensuring that
libraries remain indispensable pillars
of support in an increasingly uncertain
world. Using frameworks like the
Sustainable Development Goals can
help ensure a more holistic approach.

20
7. There are persistent and growing barriers to building
partnerships for development

While libraries have a uniquely wide leading to incompatibilities with

potential to contribute to others, or once again, a sense that
development across the 2030 Agenda, partnerships just take too much effort
they do not – and should not – need to
do so alone. Crucially, they can often Development impact:
achieve more, and reach more people, as with a number of other trends
when working in partnership with already highlighted here, the results
others, combining their spaces, of a continued resistance or difficulty
collections and services with the in forming partnerships is less
knowledge and other resources that effective action in the areas of
others can bring. sustainable development where
libraries can make a difference, that’s

“
to say more or less all of them!

While libraries have a uniquely wide

Of course, this trend also relates
potential to contribute to
directly to SDG17 (Partnerships for the
development across the 2030
Goals), which serves to underline the
Agenda, they do not – and should not
message across the 2030 Agenda that
– need to do so alone.
success will be a collaborative effort,
or it will not happen at all. SDG17 is,
However, at a time of pressure on notably, one of the two ‘enabling
public funding, and the ongoing goals’ (alongside SDG16) focused on
‘stickiness’ of old stereotypes about creating the conditions for all of the
libraries, there is a risk that other other Goals to be achieved.
stakeholders who might be able to
work with libraries simply do not Response:
realise the potential, or are not ready Libraries ought to be empowered to
to take on the transaction costs forge collaborative partnerships with
necessary to do so. A particular diverse stakeholders dedicated to
challenge is ongoing fragmentation in advancing public interest objectives
governance that, for example, can and addressing community needs. It
make it hard for library authorities to is essential for libraries to cultivate
cooperate with education authorities. confidence and readiness in
establishing partnerships,
Within the library field too – in a point understanding their unique
also highlighted in last year’s Trend contributions and potential impact. By
Report – there can be a tendency to fostering a culture of collaboration,
try and do everything by ourselves. libraries can leverage collective
This can be due either to an excessive expertise and resources to effectively
sense of the uniqueness of our address societal challenges and
institutions and our goals that risks enhance community well-being.
21
There are also practical tools that can
be developed here, for example
between peak organisations (library
associations, national libraries, or
library agencies and their
counterparts) that make connections
on the ground easier, such as model
agreements, or simply good practices.

Yet we should also be ready to call out

administrative and legal barriers that
make it harder to work with others
that it needs to be. Given that failing
to address these leads to a potentially
significant opportunity cost, it should
be in the interests of the authorities
(both executives and legislatures) to
be aware of such situations, and be
challenged to look for responses.

22
8. Persistent geographical inequalities are reinforced by
unequal investment in public services

“
In another trend that is perhaps more
of a lack of a trend, there is the
persistence of unevenness in services In some countries, we still see library
– between rural and urban areas, and information workers unsure
between poorer and richer regions, about whether they will be paid at
and between more and less developed the end of the month, or even for
countries. This continues to mark the how many hours they can count on
library field and its ability to support electricity, while others do not even
development. Rural, isolated or have to think about these, and can
remote areas don’t just pose focus their efforts on other issues.
additional challenges to anyone trying
to provide a universal service, but
those providing the service too often Development impact:
cannot call on the same depth of the chief impact of this ongoing
resources as can be possible in unevenness is that depending on
wealthier urban environments. where someone is born, grows up, or
subsequently lives, they may have
In other words, libraries can serve as dramatically different levels of support
essential services to underserved from libraries.
populations with limited access to
formal schooling. They often provide In turn, this affects how far they can
access to various technology enjoy access to education (SDG 4),
resources. However, these services how far they can participate in science
can only be offered as equally as they and research (SDG 9), and of course
are supported. While big central whether they are able to access
libraries in cities or larger universities information (SDG 16). And following
can benefit from economies of scale this, there is the risk of reinforcing
and potentially take more risks, this is divides by leaving those already in
not so easy in the case of smaller, disadvantaged areas more
dispersed networks which may have disadvantaged still (SDG 11).
one, or even no professional librarians
in key roles. In turn, they can be called Yet the unevenness also represents a
upon to serve communities marked risk for the ability of libraries to work
with lower levels of literacy, poorer as a system. Within countries,
internet connectivity and more. stronger networks translate into a
Smaller libraries may also find it greater ability to deliver change at the
harder to engage in the sorts of national level, as well as creating
projects that could allow additional wider opportunities for staff to
revenue generation. develop. While having a few star
institutions can help in driving
innovation, the case for libraries in

23
general rests on them providing a Libraries can of course also partner
great service for everyone. with local governments, outreach
programs, and other potential
Response: partners, libraries have the ability to
while broader strategies for balanced build innovative programs that help
regional development play a key role advance and build communities.
here (for example through investment
in public services in general to address Internationally, the argument is much
different aspects of inequality), there the same. Engagement in
is a value in libraries themselves international cooperation, for example
looking at how to deliver services in through organisations like IFLA, offers
deprived areas. a chance to draw on the ideas of
others, and even to leapfrog stages of
Enhanced coordination and development, for example through
networking within countries can smart use of digital tools. Through
facilitate seamless collaboration this, we can move towards the goal of
among library services, bolstered by everyone enjoying great library
broader investments in redistribution. services.
Leveraging technology, language
accessibility, and system automation
can further streamline these efforts,
enabling efficient communication and
resource sharing across libraries of
varying sizes and locations.
Harnessing the potential of the
internet, especially in remote rural
areas, presents unprecedented
opportunities to expand access to a
plethora of services, empowering
even the smallest libraries to serve as
vibrant hubs of knowledge and
community engagement.

We also gain by prioritising

professional development and
initiatives tailored to enabling libraries
to respond to the needs of rural
communities. Similarly, developing
types of (digital) central service
provision can help make life at least a
little easier for colleagues, and help
ensure that just by living in a poor or
remote area, you are not getting
worse services.

24
9. Library and information workers are seen as auxiliaries,
rather than development actors in their own right

Our ninth trend looks specifically at support personnel, rather than expert
the status of librarians. As mentioned professionals in their own right, able
above, one consequence of tighter to help the people and communities
budgets has been a tendency to rely they serve fulfil their potential, as well
less on trained and dedicated staff, as enjoy their rights. They do not
and to draw more on volunteers and necessarily enjoy the space and
others. While the commitment, energy confidence to adapt to change, and be
and ideas of volunteers is not just proactive in identifying how and
welcome, but also essential for many where they can make the difference.
aspects of how libraries work (for
example public and community Development impact:
libraries), this is a complement, rather in looking at the consequences of this
than a replacement for what a trained change, there needs to be a particular
librarian can bring in terms of focus on what librarians bring to
knowledge, skills and professional libraries. Typically, this includes the
ethics. ability to make spaces truly
welcoming for all, as well as to
And yet, we do see in many countries provide services and support that go
a trend towards weakening to the heart of what users really need.
commitments to ensuring that Librarians at their best can be
libraries have librarians, and even to community builders, guarantors of
closing down training opportunities rights, and have key insights into the
for future professionals. As it becomes requirements of individuals and
more and more common to see non- groups, as well as offering ever more
specialists in these roles, it becomes vital insights into how to navigate the
more widely assumed that this can be information environment.
done everywhere. What this doesn’t
show, of course, is how much else In turn, deprofessionalisation
could have been achieved with trained therefore risks meaning less
personnel in place. responsiveness to need, which is likely
to harm efforts to address poverty
In parallel, and as highlighted in the (SDG1) and inequality (SDGs 5 and 10).
title, there is the risk, for example in It removes a key infrastructure for
schools and universities, that building communities and protecting
librarians are seen as auxiliary staff, heritage (SDG 11) as well as
rather than having an essential and supporting research (SDG 9), and
substantive role to play in the indeed for more broadly ensuring the
academic success of learners of all effectiveness of policy interventions
ages. Translated to a broader context, across the board (SDG 16).
this approach in turn risks building the
sense that librarians are simply
25
Response: Library and information workers need
part of the picture here – as already also to be better equipped to work
mentioned a few times – is around through periods of difficulty and
ensuring that librarians are proactive transition. We would also benefit from
and explain clearly, convincingly and creating robust diversity, equity, and
persistently why they matter. We must inclusion policies that seek to
combat fatalistic attitudes within our empower colleagues and the
profession. Librarians should communities that they serve,
emphasise the importance of
continuous learning and professional In this, it will be important to build
development, and receive the allies. Working with potential partners,
resource for this. This would ensure such as teachers and researchers can
that we remain at the forefront of potentially help here. So too can texts
innovation, equipping us with the such as the UNESCO-IFLA Public
skills needed to address evolving Library Manifesto, which set out
challenges and effectively serve our effectively, at the level of
communities. governments, why the work of
librarians matters.
But beyond this, there is a need for
wider advocacy to build consensus
around the need to defend
professional librarianship. Through
collective action and advocacy, we can
elevate the status of library and
information workers worldwide,
fostering a culture of professionalism
and agency within our profession.
Additionally, we gain by resisting
efforts to remove obligations to hire
librarians for librarian roles, but also
offer possibilities for non-librarian
colleagues to build skills and help
them fulfil their potential, rather than
seeking to exclude them.

“ Through collective action and

advocacy, we can elevate the status
of library and information workers
worldwide, fostering a culture of
professionalism and agency within
our profession.

26
10. Globalisation continues, opening up new expectations
for information access

Globalisation has appeared in These advances towards a truly global

different trend reports, both inside information and knowledge landscape
and outside of the library field, for are matched by user expectations.
decades, and so it is perhaps not a The generation that grew up with the
surprise to see it here. The specific internet are already in their mid-30s,
angle we are interested in is around at least in some countries, and have
possibilities for cross-border known little other than a world where
information access and sharing. For information is available without
example, for more and more people, it necessarily knowing or even caring
is becoming usual to look beyond about where in the world it comes
national borders when it comes to from, as long as it meets a need.
learning, networking, building careers,
or developing research projects. Yet libraries need to keep up with this.
Having for so long been the gateway
Much of this is down to technology. to the wider world, it is important to
Improved bandwidth and cheaper avoid becoming seen as a dead-end,
devices make following courses or maintaining increasingly small
working closely with colleagues in patches (in relative terms) of the
other countries easier. Automatic wider information space. In particular
translation is, at least in the case of when different library types do not
some language pairings, removing work together, we also miss
barriers that used to exist. And work opportunities to get specialised
behind the scenes to develop linked knowledge into the hands of the
data and the semantic web means people that want or need it.
that we can bring together very

“
diverse sources in new ways.

Having for so long been the gateway

to the wider world, it is important to
avoid becoming seen as a dead-end,
maintaining increasingly small
patches (in relative terms) of the
wider information space.

Development impact:
the internationalisation of
information, as already hinted at
above, has a potentially powerful role
to play in supporting the achievement
of goals from education (SDG4) and
27
research (SDG9) to enabling better to maximise reach and facilitate
planning for risk and resilience knowledge transfer, research
(SDG11), not least in the context of promotion, and broader community
health disasters (SDG3). engagement. Crucially, when we
encounter challenges, we should look
Clearly, this internationalisation is constructively at how we can address
taking place with or without libraries. them, and through this, use the
However, when libraries are not diversity and depth of skills and
taking part in it, this risks being much knowledge in our field to maximise
less of a force for positive change. reach.
Beyond what libraries do in
connecting people to this space (a
point covered in the next trend), there
is the fact that our collections,
collectively, represent a wealth of
information that does have value, for
any of civil, research or cultural
reasons. For vulnerable communities
in particular, libraries can be key
repositories of memory, and while of
course any sharing of information
needs to be done sensitively, there are
important opportunities for ensuring
a more diverse internet that reflects
the wider world (SDG 10).

Response:
part of the answer here is legislative –
there should be a positive agenda at
the national and international levels to
ensure that libraries have both the
rights and confidence to act
internationally, making collections
available as far as possible, as well as
helping their communities to access
and use the information they need,
wherever it is.

Beyond this, there is the value of

working in a more networked way,
being ready to build ‘collective
collections’, and striving to build
stronger and more effective
connections. We can leverage the
diversity and depth of the library field
28
11. Even as connectivity improves, the digital divide is
persistent and getting more serious

A key point highlighted in IFLA’s Finally, over and above the cost and
Development and Access to practical barriers to access to and use
Information reports is that while there of the internet, there is also distrust
are positive trends when it comes to and fear (mirroring the trends driving
the high-level figures for internet accelerated efforts to regulate the
connectivity, this does not net). If people see going online as
automatically translate into digital dangerous and difficult, they are less
inclusion. In particular, despite this likely to do so, either remaining
progress, gender digital divides have offline or stuck within specific
remained, and in some cases environments, such as those created
broadened. Moreover, work to get (and promoted) by major platforms
more people online has not been and app developers.
matched by the skills or rights that
would allow them to make meaningful Development impact:
use of the internet. The cost of devices there is no lack of work around
represents a further potential factor of development and ICTs, and indeed
division. the importance of ensuring that
connectivity supports positive change,
A lack of meaningful internet access, from the global to the individual level,
devices, skills or content in turn can has been at the heart of work around
lead to a growing development divide, internet governance for at least 20
given that more and more aspects of years. The message from this is clear
life are moving online. For example, – that a lack of connectivity (SDGs 9
with global efforts to promote digital and 17) can represent a serious
public infrastructures, the roll-out of barrier to wider chances of fulfilling
eGovernment in all parts of the world human rights and achieving
moves closer. This offers great ways to sustainable development (all SDGs).
serve more people, more effectively,
than before, but of course also Focusing on libraries, the risks coming
necessitates on-ramps. Otherwise, from both failing to mobilise libraries
even the most urgently needed digital as part of wider digital inclusion
tools risk being out of reach. strategies are much the same as in
the cases mentioned above – the
The divide also exists between neglect of a key, tried and tested
libraries, with too many remaining player in achieving policy
unconnected either because few if any effectiveness, and in particular,
in an area are, or because giving turning information into real world
access to the internet through them is change. Given libraries’ particular role
not seen as a priority, despite all the in supporting people and
positive experience. communities facing wider challenges,
29
the non-incorporation of libraries into In particular, for example, libraries can
planning risks making efforts to develop workshops or public
promote inclusion harder. information, such as flyers or posters,
Response: that seek to address misinformation
the most obvious steps here lie with about the Internet while providing
government, and in particular the instruction on the ethical usage of
need finally to fulfil commitments to online platforms.
connect all libraries and other
community anchor institutions. This They can also address the digital
would represent a strong first step, device divide by seeking funding for
with the next being to recognise the hotspots or other tools.
place of libraries as multi-functional
actors in digital inclusion strategies.
LIbraries must also be actively
involved in digital planning to bridge
the gap and maximise their impact on
development.

As for libraries ourselves,

“ we need a constructive, if critical

approach to the internet, and
perhaps a stronger sense of agency
and even responsibility in helping
users make the most of it.

This can come both through ensuring

that we fully embrace digital
technologies ourselves (without
denying the ongoing importance of
the physical), and learning amongst
ourselves on what helps users make
the leap into using the internet safely
and confidently. We can use
frameworks such as the Sustainable
Development Goals to ensure that our
work with technology is focused on
delivering real-world benefits.

30
12. We are too busy dealing with crises to think
strategically

Of all of the trends set out in this Development impact:

report, this final one is perhaps the the UN’s 2030 Agenda demands new
most internal to the library field, even ways of approaching policy
if it may find its roots in external implementation challenges (such as
factors. Indeed, it also brings together those taken on by libraries), but in
in some ways elements of other issues turn, these require us to pivot in our
highlighted in this report. In short, thinking, plan for the future, and
with tighter funding environments, potentially take risks. Without this,
challenges in securing understanding major policy challenges where
and partnerships, and a more libraries could make a big
unstable world, it can indeed seem we contribution are neglected (all SDGs).
are simply moving from one crisis to
the next. In particular, the logic of sustainability
itself obliges a more strategic
This can logically encourage the reflex approach, making more time to think
of focusing just on core services, and about, and to integrate, the future
how to preserve these, rather than into the decisions we are making
setting aside the time to look to the today. This is a long way from frantic
future. Indeed, when we are worried reactions to threats. Yet if we do not
and anxious, we are normally not well- act, we are less able to deal with
placed to take the long view and plan threats in the future, and so more
for the future. Such exercises normally likely to see libraries’ role in improving
require the time and space to imagine, lives and communities restricted.
something that will feel scarce for
many. There is also a strong focus on Response:
annual budgeting and planning, which the answer here lies more within the
discourages projects that will only pay field, although it is certainly true that
off in the long-term, or indeed fuller where governments and others have
assessments of community needs. an influence, then they can also
contribute (for example through
Strategic thinking itself, of course, is a obliging and paying for more regular
skill, and one that needs to be training, or promoting multi-year
nurtured throughout careers, and budgeting).
throughout life. Yet education within
the field, in many counties, also Promoting life-long learning initiatives
remains focused on initial and expand educational offerings
qualifications, and risks not doing beyond formal settings (both for
enough to prepare for uncertainty, or ourselves and our communities)
to plan for the longer term. enhances resilience and
responsiveness. Collective efforts can
cultivate a culture of strategic thinking
31
and ensure libraries remain resilient
agents of positive change.

We also plan for the future by

investing in talent development
strategies that are designed to
cultivate future leaders, and giving
them chances to develop skills that
complement those they gather in
formal education. Associations can
have a particular role here by
offerings spaces to step outside of
frantic everyday life, and developing
tools that help librarians structure
their thinking, and feel more
empowered and confidence in
responding to change.

Strategies in this space should be

accompanied by comprehensive
monitoring systems, which help
libraries keep track of what is and is
not working.

32
 TREND
REPORT

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