16-22 August 2014, Lyon, France
12 August 2014
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As soon as you have the printed programme, it's a good idea to sit down in a quiet place and highlight all those sessions, workshops and visits which particularly interest you. But it's wise not to limit your choices to your own sector of library work. Because there is so much going on, you will almost certainly be unable to avoid clashes altogether. We try to persuade all speakers to let us have the text of their papers well in advance. The papers of those who respond are posted on the IFLA website and you can print them in the paper-handling centre. Many papers are received in time for them to be translated into other IFLA languages. If it's a choice between a library visit or a workshop and a session for which there is a printed paper (all submitted papers are in the IFLA Library), you may decide on the visit or the workshop. You can also plan your time ahead to some extent by checking our website regularly in the weeks before you leave for Lyon.
SI means simultaneous interpretation. Sessions marked SI have interpreters who translate the lecture and any discussion into the following IFLA working languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Russian and Spanish). You need to take headsets into the room if you wish to make use of the service. They are usually available at the entrance to the room. When you take part in a discussion, please remember to speak slowly and clearly to help the interpreters. Please return the headsets after use.
At http://2014.ifla.org you will find all official IFLA news and can stay updated on the congress programme (highlights, room changes etc). All you need to do is connect your laptop or smart phone to the free WI-FI network and visit the IFLA Express website regularly to keep up-to-date on everything that happens. So visit the website to view news and opinions, to enjoy pictures and videos, or to browse the blogs and tweets. Making your own posts? Use #wlic2014 in your Tweets and tag them wlic2014 on other social media. In case you didn’t bring your own laptop, you will find PCs in the Registration area in Hall d’accueil Bellecour and Exhibition area in Forum 4, 5 & 6.
We do not publish the proceedings of the Congress. However, all WLIC papers submitted are added to our institutional repository, the IFLA Library. In addition, a selection of the best conference papers will be published in IFLA Journal.
You can attend any of the meetings, except the few which are marked "closed meeting". Many of the meetings scheduled for Saturday, 16 August are meetings for Standing Committee members of IFLA Sections. If you approach the chair of the section you want to visit briefly before the meeting starts, you are usually welcome to attend Standing Committee meeting as an observer. By attending these meeting you gain a good understanding of the work of IFLA's 43 professional sections. You never know, you may find yourself getting involved!
These are meetings of participants from one country or language group. They are especially important when the General Assembly is expected to discuss controversial issues and voting will take place. A caucus will try to ensure maximum impact for their votes by, for example, planning on whom to nominate or support in a year when the members of the Governing Board will be elected. Other matters of particular interest to participants from that country or language group will also be discussed. Anyone from a given country or language group may take part in the relevant caucus meeting. The meetings are listed in the programme, and most of them will take place on Saturday, 16 August.
One good way to find out is to attend "your" caucus meeting and ask. There is a tradition that some ambassadors (or other official representatives) hold a reception for the participants from that country. Another way to find information is to look on the message board.
The General Assembly is the highest authority in the federation, and is made up of the voting Members of IFLA. It makes policy decisions often in the form of resolutions and can change the IFLA Statutes. It receives an annual report from the President and the Secretary General and a financial report from the Treasurer. Resolutions which are formulated during the Congress itself are also dealt with at this meeting. At the final closing of the Congress on Thursday, 21 August, awards are presented to various people that have been active for IFLA in one way or the other, and the location for the IFLA Congress in 2016 will be announced.
Only designated representatives of voting Members of IFLA (International Associations, National Associations and Institutional Members) are entitled to vote at the General Assembly meeting. However, anyone may attend and actively participate. The IFLA President, who chairs the meeting, has the power to allow people who are not representatives of voting members to speak during the meeting.
Many participants belong to various committees or working groups. They take the opportunity during the IFLA World Library and Information Congress to meet face-to-face with their colleagues.
It is very difficult to estimate out of a total attendance of up to 3,500 how many people will attend a particular session. We use records of previous Congresses to allocate rooms in the programme, but we do not always get it right. The best advice is to get to your chosen session early and to have a second choice for sessions which are likely to be popular. If you are still unlucky you may wish to print the paper and read it later.
You will find that people come and go throughout meetings at the IFLA World Library and Information Congress. It is not always easy to estimate just how relevant a session may be. The speakers do not always speak in the same order as listed in the programme; and of course there is the problem of scheduling conflicts. If you think that you may not stay for a whole session, it is a good idea to sit in a position from which you can leave without disturbing many people. In any case, please do your best to enter and leave sessions in progress quietly; you can often do so during short breaks between speakers.
See the congress programme about the availability of food and beverages at main social events.
The IFLA World Library and Information Congress is a mix of many different activities taking place over a period of nine days. However, if you are only interested in the professional programme and the exhibition, most of the action takes place between Sunday, 17 August and Thursday, 21 August.
If this is your FIRST IFLA Congress we highly recommend you attend the IFLA Newcomers' Session on Sunday, 17 August. You'll find that other participants will make you feel welcome and answer your questions. Pick up your “first-timer” badge and keep it on throughout the week. If you would like some more information on becoming a member of IFLA then be sure to leave your contact details at the end of the session.
Remember that the IFLA World Library and Information Congress is a kaleidoscope of activities, events and opportunities. Concentrate on what works best for you. Find an 'old-hand', perhaps from your own country or library sector to meet up with them from time to time to compare notes and exchange tips—or do the same with another first-timer.
Enjoy the IFLA experience!
Last update: 12 August 2014