UNESCO supports Libraries

UNESCO supports and promotes universal access to information and knowledge flows. Part of its many activities focuses on the strengthening of the institutional capacity of libraries as gateways to information. As such, UNESCO assists worldwide libraries to acquire new technologies and network resources through the UNESCO Network of Associated Libraries (UNAL). UNAL’s main objective is to encourage libraries that are open to the public to undertake activities in UNESCO’s fields such as the promotion of human rights and peace, cultural dialogue, protection of the environment, fight against illiteracy, etc. Over 500 libraries around the world are members of the Network, the Library of Congress being one of them.

UNESCO Libraries Portal currently contains over 14000 links to websites of libraries around the world, as well as to resources related to training, preservation and international co-operation in this area. A major part of this heritage is stored in libraries. The world’s documentary heritage constitutes a major part of mankind’s memory and reflects the diversity of peoples, languages and cultures. Through the Memory of the World Programme and other initiatives, UNESCO has played a leading role in preserving information and communication contents and in optimizing access to them. In particular, UNESCO encouraged the elaboration of strategies to facilitate the digitization of librarian collections; it also promoted and disseminated the International Charter for the Preservation of Digital Heritage adopted in October 2003.

From August 20th-24th, 2006, UNESCO will participate in the round-table on "Libraries: Dynamic Engines for the Knowledge and Information Society" organized by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) during its 72nd IFLA General Conference and Council to be held in Seoul, Korea. The IFLA meeting will have a UNESCO organized session on digital libraries which will include a presentation by the Library of Congress. >>More

Global Memory Net, an online image library and gateway to cultural, historical, and heritage images around the world, was launched earlier this month with a number of collections included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme, and in the Library of Congress. The project was partially funded by the US National Science Foundation.>> More

Read more:
* UNESCO Libraries Portal
* Memory of the World - 8th meeting of the International Advisory Committee of the Memory of the World Programme, Pretoria, South Africa, 11-15 June 2007. >>More
* E-Heritage
* UNESCO Archives Portal
* UNESCO/IFLA MAnifesto
* World Book and Copyright Day
* Our previous postings "World Digital Library Planned: Library of Congress Envisions Collection To Bridge Cultures"