Movement of IFLA conference

It is with regret we advise you of the decision of the IFLA Governing Board to relocate the 2010 World Library and Information Congress, previously planned for Brisbane next year.

The world economic crisis has been a key contributing factor to this decision. The National Committee here in Australia has, in agreement with IFLA, determined the downturn could have a significant impact on the Congress. With the greater number of attendees traditionally being drawn from Europe and North America, we must recognise the contraction in the world economy will inevitably mean many of our colleagues will be, as we all are, reassessing plans and investments to move forward in these difficult economic times. The IFLA Governing Board and the National Committee believe relocating the Congress is necessary to ensuring the long-term business continuity of our international federation and its ability to continue its very important work on behalf of all libraries and library associations around the world.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all the hard work done so far, by the National Committee and host city representatives, and the generous support pledged to date by our colleagues in the sector. This enthusiasm and support makes it doubly difficult to have to advise that the Congress will be relocated. In particular, the excellent satellite events currently in the planning are clearly going to be amazing and productive gatherings. ALIA will be working with the satellite program planning committees to discuss with them the possibility of presenting some of these events in Australia over the next twelve months. Watch the ALIA website and e-lists for news on that front.

I hope you will be able still to attend IFLA2010 and support our international colleagues. There will be updates to the IFLA website www.ifla.org shortly regarding the new location for the Congress.

For all enquiries concerning this message, please contact ALIA President Jan Richards jan.richards@alia.org.au or ALIA Executive Director Sue Hutley sue.hutley@alia.org.au.

Jan Richards
ALIA President



Keith Webster
Chair, Australian National Committee for IFLA2010