Dear Colleagues and Friends,

The year of 2020 that brought immense difficulties has finally come to an end! On behalf of the IFLA Asia and Oceania Section, I wish you and your family a happy, healthy and prosperous 2021.

Among a multitude of issues that we faced; Covid-19 pandemic stood out as the paramount challenge which had affected every walk of life. Last year saw the cancellation of in-person meetings and conferences within IFLA and beyond. Nevertheless, with technology, we managed to engage the library communities and connect with each other through various online channels.

We shared information via email and Basecamp, connected with our friends through RSCAO mailing list and social media and had our business meetings on Zoom. The Regional Office and the National Library Board, Singapore with the support of IFLA and RSCAO organised a very successful webinar series on Leaders’ Conversations on Libraries in the Post-COVID-19 World for the libraries and library associations in the Asia & Oceania region. Our members were also actively engaged with different stakeholders at local, national, regional and international level in tackling the challenges caused by Covid-19.

In the new year, we will continue to deliver a series of Webinars to address emerging issues of interest to libraries in the region. The Section is committed to advocating the UN SDGs in the library sector. In this connection, the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA) and RSCAO will organize the 2021 mid-term webinar on ‘Libraries and the Sustainable Development Goals’ to share stories, successes and challenges from library leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our members and friends for your commitment and support and look forward to working together with you in the new year.

Stay safe and well!

Best regards,

Tina

RSCAO Chair