News from Information Society
UN Report on Public Spaces and Human Rights Highlights Place of Libraries
As public spaces, open to all members of the community, libraries enable people to exercise and enjoy their human rights. A new report from the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights highlights this role, and the conditions for it to be realised. It provides a useful advocacy tool for libraries.IFLA Input to 2019 WSIS Review
The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) process is a UN-based initiative to bridge the digital divide, foster an inclusive information society and promote the use of ICT for development. Libraries have an important role to play in achieving these goals, and IFLA has been actively involved with the WSIS process since its first phase in Geneva in 2003. This includes contributing to annual reports to take stock of the progress made towards the WSIS Action Lines and Targets – and the 2019 IFLA submission is now available!The Human and the Algorithm: Response to Council of Europe’s Draft Recommendation on Human Right Impacts of Algorithmic Systems
In July 2019, the Council of Europe invited public feedback on its draft recommendation on the human rights impacts of algorithmic systems. IFLA, through its Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Information, has responded, highlighting the issues and priorities of libraries.Now available: summary of Mozilla's 2019 Internet Health Report
The Mozilla Internet Health Report is an annual publication which brings together information and reflections about key issues facing the internet today. The report therefore offers a great basis for thinking within the library field about issues around the way we access, share and create information.Now available: summary of UN Secretary-General’s High-level Panel Report on Digital Cooperation
The UN Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation report "The Age of Digital Interdependence" outlines key issues and offers recommendations for building an inclusive digital future. Several messages and recommendations the report puts forward are directly relevant for libraries.IFLA at EuroDIG 2019
The 2019 edition of the European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG) took place in The Hague from 19-21 June. This year, IFLA was involved in organising a panel on the European Copyright Reform, and attended a number of sessions and workshops to see how the latest developments in the sphere of internet policies can affect the library field.Placing Libraries at the Heart of Connectivity Strategies
IFLA has submitted comments on two sets of plans to boost internet access in Africa, underlining the importance of including libraries. By doing this, governments not only support affordable internet access, but open up possibilities to develop digital skills and give people a safe place to get online.Get Connected: Public Access Policy Toolkit
Connecting libraries offers a great way of bringing more people online, and providing a space where they can develop the skills and confidence necessary to get the most out of the Internet. The new Public Access Policy Toolkit looks at the different policy areas where libraries may need to advocate to make this happen.Protecting Privacy in the Modern Academic Library: An Interview with Mimi Calter
A group of unviersity libraries in the United States have signed up to a new Statement on Patron Privacy and Database Access. IFLA has interviewed Mimi Calter, Deupty University Librarian at Stanford, and Chair of IFLA's Academic and Research Libraries Section, to find out more about the thinking behind the Statement, and what it says.Libraries for Human Rights: IFLA Contributes to Italian UN Human Rights Review
IFLA, working with the Italian Library Association, has provided input to the Universal Periodic Review of Italy at the Human Rights Council. The submission highlights the importance of access to information and education, as well as the rights of children, people with disabilities, refugees and migrants.- 1 de 14
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