My IFLA Journey

2024-2025


Trainer IFLA’s ‘Measurement, evaluation, and demonstrating impact of library services’
In late 2023 I was honoured to be one of the 12 individuals selected to participate in the Measurement, evaluation, and demonstrating impact of library services train the trainer program developed by IFLA. Since that time I have worked with colleagues across Australia to deliver this program with more sessions scheduled in the coming months. You can learn more here.

2024

IFLA Information Futures Summit Brisbane Planning Team
It was a joy to be part of the team that pulled together IIFS in Brisbane, Australia in September/October 2024. We were delighed with the depth of the program that was created and the opportunity to showcase our country to our international collegeages. As a passionate reader it was my please to develop the READ Brisbane concept and to lead the Flash mob in a joint reading initative.

WLIC Review
I convened the sub committe looking at Sponsors and Vendors as part of the WLIC review. The Congress is at the heart of our Federation. For many members it is the tangible manifestation of what IFLA’s about. It’s the reason that so many of us were drawn to IFLA in the first place (scroll to the bottom of this page!). Having convened many conferences and seminars outside of the IFLA sphere, and increasingly as a sponsor myself I recognise the value of our partners.

2021-2023

Chair Division E and Vice Chair Professional Council
Under IFLA’s revised Divisional Structure I worked with the six sections and one SIG which comprise this unit. I was an active member of the Professional Council with a particular focus on developing the programs for WLIC in Dublin (2022) and Rotterdam (2023). As Vice Chair of the PC I supported the then Chair and assumed leadership responsibility for the in the six-month period between her resignation and the election of a new Chair.


Chair Division 1/ Member of the Governing Board
I assumed the role of Division1 Chair in early 2021 to fill a casual vacancy. During this time, I worked with the Sections in the Division and with the Professional Council n developing the program for the 2021 Virtual WLIC Let’s work together for the future.

2019-2021

IFLA Literacy and Reading Standing Committee
I worked with LITREAD in 2019-2021 holding the position of Information Coordinator and Chair. During this period a key focus was Engaging in Literacy and Reading Strategies: An IFLA Toolkit for Libraries. This term which coincided with the COVID Pandemic was a time of transition to the online environment and my focus was to develop inclusive meetings and webinars where everyone felt welcome and heard.

2013-2017

IFLA Committee on Standards
Between 2013 and 2017 I was a member of the IFLA Committee on Standards holding the position of Chair 2015-2017. This Committee acts as the conduit between IFLA Professional Units and the Governing Board, working with Professional Units and other standards organisations to ensure the development and maintenance of relevant and functional instruments. In this role I helped to develop the IFLA Standards Procedures Manual and develop WLIC Programs.

2011-2019

Public Libraries Standing Committe
I was a member of the Public Libraries Standing Committee between 2011-2019, with executive positions (Chair, Secretary and Information Coordinator) from 2013-2019. I carried responsibility for:

  • the development of responses to the international community about the role public libraries play in the UN Sustainable Development Goals;
  • the response by public libraries to the current international refugee crisis;
  • representing the public library sector at the Global Vision discussions and coordinating the sectors response.

I worked to establish the IFLA/Systematic Public Library of the Year Awards (now IFLA/Baker and Taylor Public Library of the Year Awards) and have represented IFLA at congresses including the inaugural Indian Public Libraries Conference (2015) and for a series of presentations and the opening of the Mashad Public Library in Iran during 2019.

I was actively involved in the development of WLIC, Satellite and Mid Term meetings during this time with an emphasis on collaboration with other sections and partners. I co-convened STEAM into Sydney, the PLS Mid-Term in 2017 which attracted 200 delegates.

One of my priorities as an officer in Public Libraries was creating a more inclusive membership for the section which is more representative of the international library community. This included active recruitment of SC members from previously underrepresented regions. The work of the SC during this time was recognised through the Awarding of the IFLA Professional Unit Communication Award (2015 & 2016) and runner up IFLA Dynamic Unit and Impact Award 2018.

I also contributed a chapter ‘Public libraries a global vision’ in the 2019 IFLA publication Public Library Governance.

2009

My first IFLA in Milan. The then IFLA Secretary General, Jennefer Nicholson, predicted I would become an IFLA Junkie. I scoffed at the idea!