CONNECTING THE NEXT

BILLION

International Federation of Library Associations

and Institutions
 Public Access to the Internet

IFLA GLOBAL COMMITMENT

IFLA INTERNATIONAL LEADERS
PROJECT
 LIBRARIES IN THE INFORMATION SOCIETY -
1

• INFORMATION SOCIETY = INTERNET

In a fast changing information environment where new media and ICTs are spreading
innovation in developing and developed countries alike, spurring new business models
and unleashing new opportunities, libraries have to anticipate and adapt the change to
preserve their central role in providing public access to information and knowledge.

• LIBRARIES = PUBLIC ACCESS TO INTERNET

Libraries provide public access to the Internet. This significantly increases access to
information and communications technology for all people, and it helps to provide
universal and affordable access to the Internet in developed and developing countries.
 LIBRARIES IN THE INFORMATION SOCIETY -
2

• IFLA’S ROLE
IFLA works to provide guidelines, standards and best practice to support
librarians in the information society. Concrete examples of this work are
the UNESCO/IFLA Manifesto on Digital Preservation or IFLA’s
Recommendations on Media and Information Literacy.

•INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUMS (IGFs)

The Internet Governance Forums are facilitated by the UN for discussing the
governance of all aspects of the Internet. IFLA’s
Position on Internet Governance summarises the policies and actions IFLA
 LIBRARIES TO BRING PEOPLE ONLINE
Libraries make Internet access available to the community at no or
low cost to the user. In many countries, public and educational
libraries are the major or only providers of such access.
Policymakers need to include libraries as participants in broadband
rollout plans.
As an organisation in consultative status with the United Nations,
IFLA shows how well-supported libraries can improve the lives of
people and strengthen their communities.

Libraries are an essential provider of public access to ICT. With more

government services moving online, libraries support digital inclusion
through skills training and access to Internet and computers.
 Internet governance is the development and
application by governments, the private sector
and civil society, in their respective roles, of
shared principles, norms, rules, decision-making
procedures, and programs that shape the
evolution and use of the Internet.
IFLA IS INVOLVED IN GLOBAL, REGIONAL, AND LOCAL
INTERNET GOVERNANCE, ADVOCATING PUBLIC
ACCESS
 “Public investment at locations such as schools and
libraries can also be leveraged to provide wider access
to communities that would otherwise have limited
opportunities due to factors such as income or
geography.”
 DYNAMIC COALITION ON PUBLIC ACCESS IN LIBRARIES
(DC-PAL) a space within the IGF
The Dynamic Coalition on Public Access in Libraries was formed following the 2011
annual meeting of the IGF and is coordinated by IFLA and EIFL.
Within the UN 2030 Development Agenda, the importance of access to information has
been recognized across the Sustainable Development Goals.
Libraries are the key to ensuring universal access to information through the Internet,
as an existing sustainable and trusted public institution where investment in technology
will be supported by trained staff who can ensure that the public has the skills they need
to fully benefit from access. In addition, libraries can provide the starting point for
internet infrastructure in communities that are not yet connected, acting as the hub
that provides affordable universal access where home access cannot yet be achieved.

The DC-PAL aims to engage the IGF community in discussion about public access to
the internet and the role and potential of libraries. The IGF is a multi stakeholder
platform that enables the discussion of public policy issues pertaining to the Internet.
 PUBLIC ACCESS TO INTERNET ENABLES:
• DIGITAL INCLUSION
In Indonesia, 82% of public library visitors increased their use of technology as a result of library services

• ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
In Ukraine, 1 in 3 public library visitors used technology at the public library for business communications,
and 62% of those who used library services to apply for a job received a job offer.

• HEALTH
In Botswana, 87% of library visitors say their health improved as a result of the health information they
found using public library service.
PRINCIPLES FOR PUBLIC ACCESS
PRINCIPLES EXPLAINED - 1

Libraries should be used to initiate universal and affordable

infrastructure in developing countries and under-served communities
in developed countries.

Policies and legislation should create an enabling environment for

universal access to information by supporting the role of libraries in
providing public access to ICTs, Internet connectivity and technology
training.
PRINCIPLES EXPLAINED - 2

Copyright frameworks should balance the public interest in accessing

information with the rights of authors, artists, and publishers by
ensuring provisions for libraries and archives to provide access to the
world’s knowledge in all formats.

All people, irrespective of gender, age, capacity, race or ethnicity,

should have access to information through ICTs and the skills needed
to participate fully in society.
PRINCIPLES EXPLAINED - 3

Individuals have the right to privacy when they seek information

using the Internet. Internet users in public venues such as libraries
must not be subject to surveillance of their activities.

Libraries should be supported in their role of offering training and

skills development in using technology, media and information
literacy, so that people can access the information and services that
they need.
PRINCIPLES EXPLAINED - 4

Libraries offer and promote access to free online content that

supports education and development, complementing access to
commercial content through online subscription resources.

Through providing technology and offering support, libraries

promote and enable the creation of local content and ensure its
preservation. Libraries’ role in providing access to government
information and services should be recognized.
 Public Access to the Internet through
Libraries
Internet For All
A project

IFLA International Leaders Programme Jonathan Hernández, Mexico

Mandiaye Nydiaye, Senegal
Mahmoud Khalifa, Egypt
Project overview

a project between three partner organization from Egypt, Mexico, and Senegal
aiming at supporting the role of libraries in providing public access to the internet.
 Partner organizations

Senegal
 Senegalese Library Association (ASBAD)
 ISOC Senegal
Egypt
 Cybrarians, The Arabic Portal for Librarianship & Information
Mexico
 National College of Librarians (CNB) Mexico
 Library and Information Research Institute (IIBI-UNAM)
Goals

The main goal is: Develop a model for public access to the internet through
libraries
Goals

Sub-goals
 Assist libraries to provide public access to the internet.
 Developing a platform with all resources and training materials on public access to the internet.
 Implementing an advocacy plan for public access and compose to decision makers.
 Training librarians on how to advocate and how to use internet to serve the public.
 Project activities

Special day/week Advocacy plan E-resources platform Workshops & Webinars

Special day/week
 Promotion for a special international day/week
for Public Access to the Internet.
 The suggested date is 16/10.
Advocacy plan
 Advocacy plan will be developed.
 The plan will be used when talking with
libraries.
 The plan aiming at convincing librarians and
decision makers how the public access to the
internet is important for the society.
E-resources  A platform for e-resources and training
platform materials will be established.
 All IFLA resources and materials will be
available in the platform.
 All resources will be available in: Arabic,
French, and Spanish, in additions to English as
the original language.
Workshops &
 Webinars and workshops aiming at supporting
Webinars libraries and librarians to provide public
access to the internet
 Training workshops will be designed for
librarians.
 A series of webinars in three language
(Arabic, English, and Spanish) will be held.
Jonathan Hernández, Mexico, jonathan@unam.mx
Mandiaye Ndiaye, Senegal , mandiaye.ndiaye@ucad.edu.sn
Mahmoud Khalifa, Egypt, mahmoud.khalifa@cybrarians.org