Uncertainty, Innovation, Opportunity: IFLA Launches Trend Report Update 2019
IFLA has published the 2019 Update of its Trend Report. As the latest in a series looking at the key issues and developments that shape the world in which we operate, it offers a basis for reflection and long-term thinking in the field.
IFLA’s original Trend Report in 2013 brought together perspectives from experts around the world and across sectors in order to inspire and support the library field in its thinking about the future.
In doing so, it provided a tool, not only for IFLA but for library associations, libraries, and library and information workers globally to think about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, and how to make the most of them.
The 2019 Update of IFLA’s Trend Report continues in the path of previous editions, sharing insights and perspectives on some of the key issues and developments that characterise the conditions in which libraries operate.
This year’s Update is based on the nine interventions made during the President’s Session at the 2019 World Library and Information Congress, which brought together professionals from around the world.
The chapters address three broader trends:
- We face increasing uncertainty in our environment, demanding new ways of working within our field and with government, but also a growing demand for information.
- We understand better than ever before the need to take holistic approaches to deal with growing complexity in the decisions that both governments and individuals take.
- We have new possibilities to work at scale, offering both new possibilities for the library field, but also a need to focus advocacy and engagement efforts at new levels.
This Update, along with previous Updates in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and the original 2013 Trend Report are all available for your use on our Trend Report website. We hope that this will support discussion and the development of new ideas about how we can not only keep up with change, but lead it.
Next year will be a big one for the Trend Report, with the first major new edition since the original.
Watch this space!
Download the 2019 Update from the Trend Report website.