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World Library and Information Congress:
Theme: Libraries for the FUTURE: Progress, Development and Partnerships
73rd IFLA General Conference and Council
Durban, South Africa
19-23 August 2007
For more information & queries please contact:
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Call for Papers:
View list of current call for papers  - 40Kb < 1min
First Announcement:
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"The library and information sector needs to ensure that its service delivery is relevant to the real information needs of its clients. Since we service different “worlds” such as education, research; business and economic intelligence;
adult education and leisure; children; entertainment; creativity; political and developmental agendas, we need to
explore what difference the LIS sector really makes to these different “worlds”.
The conference will look at some of these issues by exploring progress and new development models for libraries in
developing countries in particular and to encourage forming and building partnerships with each other and users/patrons to aid development; increase the standing of the profession and elicit funding."
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Update from the National Committee:
Name change
When the committee for IFLA WLIC Durban 2007 was set up in 2003, the committee was named the National Advisory Committee, based on IFLA's new conference regulations. Not all role players in the organizing of WLIC, including the Durban NAC were comfortable with the name. The IFLA Governing Board approved in March 2006 that in future the NAC would be known as the National Committee to show that it is an equal partner with Congrex Holland, the Professional Conference Organiser, based in Amsterdam and IFLA Headquarters (IFLA HQ). The Durban NC is very pleased with this decision and will continue to work with IFLA HQ, Congrex Holland and the LIASA membership to organize a truly memorable and outstanding conference in 2007.
Progress to date:
The work of the NC has been reported on in previous issues of the LIASA-in-Touch with extensive coverage published in September 2005. Since then the NC has completed the following tasks:
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The NC hosted an exhibition stand at WLIC 2005, Oslo to distribute the First Announcement and other promotional items. A special poster was designed which proved to be very popular with conference delegates.
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A reception for all African delegates and special guests was hosted by the South African Embassy in Oslo.
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The contract between Congrex and NC was signed.
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WLIC 2007 was further promoted through a presentation at the LIASA Conference 2005 at Nelspruit where the posters were also on display.
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The First Announcement was distributed to all LIASA members with the December issue of LIASA-in-Touch.
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Various other administrative tasks such as the opening of a Bank Account, letters to sponsors, the development of a promotion plan and finalizing the stationery were completed.
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All of the above has been reported to the LIASA Representative Council of which the NC is a sub-committee.
Thus far in 2006 the NC has attended to the following:
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Gathering information and inputting on the preparation of the Final Announcement.
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Followed up on funding request to DAC.
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Decided on social events, library tours and excursions.
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Extended an invitation to President Mbeki to become a patron of IFLA WLIC 2007.
Still to follow in 2006 are:
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Continuous follow ups on funding requests and sponsorship letters.
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A promotional road show to LIASA branches and events.
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Distribution of the Final Announcement.
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Promotion at Cape Town International Book Fair, SCECSAL Dar es Salaam, and IFLA WLIC, Seoul.
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Promotion at the LIASA Annual Conference 2006.
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An Embassy Reception in Seoul.
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SA Embassies and Foreign Embassies informed of WLIC 2007.
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Volunteer recruitement.
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Pre-registration starts.
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Invitations to be sent to plenary and keynote speakers.
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Draft programme ready.
Needless to say the above requires regular NC meeting and will be reported on at every LIASA Representative Council Meeting.
What delegates can look forward to…:
The IFLA World Library and Information Congress is a kaleidoscope of activities, people, exhibitions, culture, language, networking, fun, friends, education and libraries - a vibrant event which brings the international library and information community uniquely together. The scope of the conference is illustrated by facts and figures from WLIC 2005,Oslo:
2983 total participants of which 2287 were full-time delegates and 1000 first-timers
329 day registrations and 171 accompanying persons
181 exhibition visitors
202 volunteers
133 countries represented
75 grantees
404 speakers and presenters
94 exhibitors
216 meetings
40 meetings with simultaneous interpretation
79 poster sessions
173 papers in English
116 papers in French
28 papers in German
22 papers in Russia
19 papers in Spanish
A variety of social and interesting, colourful cultural events are planned. Delegates also have an opportunity to visit local libraries and meet with colleagues from other countries in informal settings.
Some of the events planned for Durban 2007 include the OPENING CEREMONY at the ICC featuring the rich talent and artistic expertise of South African performers, including traditional drumming and clapping; a BEACH PARTY hosted by the Durban Metro Council where delegates will experience the ambience of the Durban beachfront under the twinkling stars while enjoying drinks and a traditional Braai; a CULTURAL EVENING showcasing dance, music and drama from the various groupings that make up the rainbow nation of South Africa, and a GALA DINNER AND DANCE at the ICC.
With regard to the professional content of the conference, this will be an opportunity for South African librarians to present papers to broad international audiences, showcasing research output in our field and sharing practical experiences with your counterparts from across the world.
Volunteers
If you are not planning to present a paper and you don't want to be just a delegate, don't despair, you can still participate and get involved. As seen from the Oslo statistics, hundreds of volunteers are required to assist with tasks ranging from help-desk assistance, accompanying delegates on the library visits, etc. Full details on how to become a volunteer will be made shortly via LIASA-IN-TOUCH or you can contact Mr GH Haffajee at Haffajee@ukzn.ac.za. Past experiences have shown that a highly successful IFLA World Library and Information Congress is measured on the basis of the value that the volunteers bring to the conference. This is regarded as a very important aspect of the conference. Let's show the world how this should be done.
Pre-Conferences/Satellite Meetings
Around 17 pre-conferences on specialized topics by interest groups/sections will be held. If you want to present a paper or attend these satellite meetings, keep checking IFLANET, the IFLA web site at http://www.ifla.org where information will be updated as it becomes available.
Interested in submitting an abstract to present a paper at an IFLA Conference?
The content of the IFLA Conference Programme is organised by different IFLA professional groups (Sections and Core Programmes). All papers have to be submitted through one of these groups which should be approached directly if you would like to contribute a paper.
Please visit Activities & Services on the IFLA web site; http://www.ifla.org/ for further information.
Please note, however, that each group has its own mechanisms of calls for papers, deadlines, refereeing and selection and that some groups do not call for papers but decide on speakers internally.
All calls will be announced via IFLA's mailing list IFLA-L, which you can subscribe to via IFLANET.
The final announcement with all the registration details and preliminary programme will be ready for distribution by June 2006. The first opportunity for distribution will be at the Cape Town International Book Fair in June, then SCECSAL in July, IFLA WLIC in Seoul and also at the LIASA 2006 Annual Conference.
Ellen R Tise
Chair: National Committee, IFLA WLIC Durban 2007
Senior Director: Library and Information Services, Stellenbosch University
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