IFLA World Report Series on Freedom of Information and Expression

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has just published its 2007 World Report on libraries and intellectual freedom.

From the introduction:

"In addition to providing library statistics and details about Internet access in libraries, the report also deals with the same issues covered in the 2005 report, namely antiterror legislation, freedom of information laws, violations of freedom of access to information and freedom of expression, the social responsibility of libraries, and ethical issues. These topics are reported on in the individual country reports, followed by an analysis of the data and conclusions that can be drawn."

(...)

"The report highlights a number of successes that have been achieved worldwide in terms of freedom of access to information and freedom of expression. It is nevertheless evident that IFLA, FAIFE and the broader library and information community should be very concerned about many of the issues addressed in the report – in each of the sections issues have been identified that need the urgent attention of library authorities and individual library patrons. In this sense we trust that the report will be useful – and a wake‐up call – not only to the library and information community, but also to everyone who has an interest in freedom of access to information and freedom of expression."

Earlier World Reports as well as IFLA Theme Reports can be found on the IFLA website.

IFLA's 2008 annual conference is taking place in Quebec City, August 10-14.