English
Those of you heading to Astana: ask the IFLA people what they’re thinking
Next week, the library sector’s annual world congress will be held in Kazakhstan. Here’s a question the Swedish participants might want to put to the organizer, IFLA.
18 aug 2025 • 2 min
Disturbing Indifference to Russia’s War
Statements about “Ukrainian fascists” and Ukrainian cities being portrayed as Russian are being made. Yet the Russian Library Association is not excluded from the international library organization IFLA.
13 maj 2025 • 2 min
A canceled congress is also a congress
By choosing Dubai to host WLIC 2024, IFLA sparked a debate about Dubai's relationship with human rights. In the end it was too much for an emirate that wants to appear modern – and the offer to stand behind the conference was withdrawn.
17 okt 2023 • 14 min
Will reveal size of Leitner’s golden parachute – if he is elected president of Ifla
For the first time an Ifla representative directly involved in last years turbulence has agreed to answer Biblioteksbladet’s questions. Hans Ulrich ”Halo” Locher apologizes for the lack of transparency and promises to make secret compensations and golden parachutes public – should he be elected as president of Ifla.
5 apr 2023 • 4 min
ESSAY: Librarians have responsibilities in these times
Global tensions with war, economic instability, climate threats – in addition to internal challenges. But a historical review shows that even in past crises IFLA has managed to maintain free research and truth, as well as access to information and freedom of expression, writes former IFLA president Alex Byrne.
28 nov 2022 • 7 min
Fear. Illness. Silence.
REPORTAGE What is happening within IFLA? In search of answers, journalist Lisa Bjurwald travelled to The Hague, where IFLA’s headquarters are located. She found a culture of silence and an organisation that lacks confidence in its leaders.
28 nov 2022 • 13 min
Closed doors damage trust
SURVEY Limited transparency and poor communication. Biblioteksbladet’s survey shows that the turbulence is raising questions among IFLA members in Sweden.
28 nov 2022 • 5 min
Out of Step with the Times
There was also testimony of an outdated leadership style in his previous place of work. Nevertheless, Gerald Leitner was given the task of modernising the global library sector.
27 nov 2022 • 3 min
The Whistleblower
Suzanne Reid was an employee representative at IFLA headquarters. She has since changed careers and recovered from the experience. IFLA she feels, however, is beyond rescue.
27 nov 2022 • 6 min
IFLA needs to change
CHRONICLE Karin Linder, secretary general, Swedish Library Association: Why is the Swedish Library Association fighting with IFLA? The answers are rooted in the principles of democracy and responsibility.
25 nov 2022 • 2 min
LEDARE
Svårt läge för biblioteken – men politikerna duckar för frågorna
Biblioteksbladet årliga enkät till folkbibliotekens chefer visar en sektor där hälsoläget inte alltid är på topp. Därför har vi många frågor till politiker – som ofta väljer taktiken att hålla tyst.
Nr 1/2026
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