From Department of Rural and Community Development
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Mr Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development , today welcomed the news that Ireland has been selected as the location for the next International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) World Library and Information Congress. The event will be held in Dublin from August 15 – 21, 2020.
The IFLA World Library and Information Congress is the flagship professional and trade event for the international library and information services sector. It is expected that over 4,000 participants from more than 140 countries will travel to Ireland to attend this conference.
Minister Michael Ring TD said:
“I am delighted that IFLA has chosen Ireland for their next international Congress so that we can showcase our world class library services. This Congress will significantly add to the tourism related revenue for our economy.
“Dublin is an ideal base for the Congress due to its status as a UNESCO City of Literature; its association with four Nobel Laureates in literature and its hosting of the long-running International Dublin Literary Award. I am also delighted that the 4,000 attendees will be travelling around the country to visit many of our libraries and in particular branches which operate the My Open Library service.
“We look forward to welcoming IFLA and international delegates to Ireland for the first time for what I am sure will be an excellent Congress in an exciting location.”
Tom Enright, Chair of the National Libraries Development Committee echoed the Minister’s warm welcome and said:
“We are delighted that the IFLA Conference is coming to Ireland next year. We have very ambitious plans for our public libraries over the next few years, and the conference will be a wonderful opportunity to share these plans and our innovative service with colleagues from around the world and to learn from international best practice right on our doorstep.”
The IFLA World Library and Information Congress is the international flagship professional and trade event for the library and information services sector. It brings together over 4,000 participants from more than 140 countries. It sets the international agenda for the profession and offers opportunities for networking and professional development to all delegates. It is an opportunity for the host country to showcase the status of libraries and information science in their country and region as well as to have their professionals experience international librarianship and international relations in a unique way. The congress also offers an international trade exhibition of approximately 1,000 square metres with over 80 exhibitors. The combined buying power of all delegates can be estimated at more than €1 billion.
The Congress will be hosted by the Library Association of Ireland who represent all libraries and librarians in Ireland. The LAI has an extremely active membership with strong interconnected networks and a long tradition of working together for the common good.
There is widespread support throughout the country for hosting IFLA 2020. This will manifest itself in offers of venues and other supports in kind and the large number of volunteers (library staff, users and students) offering their services.
This bid is supported by Fáilte Ireland (The National Tourism Development Authority), The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Fáilte Ireland’s Dublin Convention Bureau and the Irish Industry Suppliers. They will all work together with the organising committee to ensure that WLIC 2020 is a resounding success in terms of delegate experience. Dublin Convention Bureau will support WLIC 2020 through a number of direct services:
Additionally, Fáilte Ireland will provide financial support of €10 per international delegate. National and Local Government Departments and agencies will provide financial support and support in kind. Nine of the ten largest global technology companies (plus many other multinational companies) have their European headquarters in Dublin. These and others are expected to deliver in the region of €500,000-600,000 to support WLIC.
Support for WLIC has also been obtained from Government and Government agencies. Dublin has excellent transport connections and Ireland is extremely easy to get around. Ireland is a small country and networking is relatively easy. IFLA 2020 in Dublin will facilitate the forging of valuable new links and collaborations, particularly with commercial partners.
As a capital city, Dublin has a large number and wide variety of libraries to visit. In addition, being a relatively small island, libraries outside Dublin are easily accessible.