Page 1 - Keynotes and Invited Papers

Let’s work together for innovation and sustainability

Christine Mackenzie
President IFLA 2019-2021
Melbourne, Australia
Email: christine.mackenzie.au@gmail.com

Abstract

The two key words of the theme of this conference are Innovation and sustainability. Libraries
around the world have demonstrated their innovation in facing the challenges of the pandemic.
While lockdowns have meant that physical buildings have not been open, libraries have been
quick to say that they are not closed; that they are still providing online and virtual books,
programs and services, encouraging reading and learning and providing connections in the
most innovative ways. And libraries will need to continue to be innovative and creative as the
impact of COVID 19 on financial resources as well as the increasing move to digital is changing
the way people think about and use libraries.

Sustainability is at the heart of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and achieving the sustainable
development goals is more important than ever. Libraries have an important role to play in
achieving the United Nations 2030 Agenda, which all nations signed up to in 2015. There are
four areas in the Sustainable Development Goals that are particularly pertinent to libraries –
access to information, universal literacy, access to ICT and preserving cultural heritage. These
haven’t changed because of the pandemic. We must continue our work promoting and working
on the targets because there is a new sense of urgency entering the discourse and the future of
the world depends on sustainable development. We all know the power that libraries have in
providing access to information, fostering literacy and preserving our cultural and intellectual
heritage. Librarians can be powerful advocates for change.

This presentation will discuss the importance of innovation and sustainability in the context of
my Presidential theme, Let’s work together. Before we can really start to impact on the issues
that are in our sphere - access to information and global literacy in particular - we need to be
in a strong position ourselves. We need to work together to strengthen the voice of libraries to
achieve our vision of a strong and united library field powering literate, informed and
participative societies.

Biography