Conference of Directors of National Libraries

Conference of Directors of National Libraries. The Conference of Directors of National Libraries is an international organization that brings together the directors of National Library of Australia, British Library, Library of Congress, and other national libraries to discuss and address common issues. The organization has its roots in the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and has been influenced by the work of UNESCO and the International Council on Archives. The conference has been attended by prominent librarians, including the former director of the National Library of China, Zhu Qiang.

History and establishment

The Conference of Directors of National Libraries was established in the 1990s, with the first meeting taking place at the National Library of Canada. The meeting was attended by directors from National Library of Scotland, National Library of Wales, and National Library of Ireland, among others. The conference was influenced by the European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA) and the International Council for Scientific and Technical Information (ICSTI). The organization has since grown to include directors from National Library of France, German National Library, and National Diet Library of Japan. The conference has also been supported by OCLC, a global library cooperative, and ProQuest, a provider of digital libraries.

Objectives and mission

The objectives of the Conference of Directors of National Libraries are to promote cooperation and collaboration among national libraries, to share best practices and expertise, and to address common challenges and issues. The mission of the organization is to support the development of national libraries and to promote the importance of library and information science in the digital age. The conference has been influenced by the work of American Library Association (ALA) and the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). The organization has also partnered with Google to promote digital libraries and online archives, such as the Internet Archive and Project Gutenberg.

Membership and structure

The membership of the Conference of Directors of National Libraries includes directors from national libraries around the world, such as the National Library of India, National Library of South Africa, and National Library of Brazil. The organization has a board of directors that includes representatives from European Library, Library and Archives Canada, and National Library of New Zealand. The conference also has a secretariat that is responsible for coordinating the organization's activities and programs. The organization has partnerships with IFLA, UNESCO, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to promote library and information science and copyright law.

Activities and programs

The Conference of Directors of National Libraries organizes regular meetings and conferences, such as the IFLA World Library and Information Congress, to bring together directors and librarians from around the world. The organization also provides training and development programs, such as the IFLA International Leadership Programme, to support the development of library and information science professionals. The conference has also launched initiatives, such as the Digital Public Library of America and the European Digital Library, to promote digital libraries and online archives. The organization has partnered with Microsoft and IBM to promote information technology and digital preservation.

Impact and significance

The Conference of Directors of National Libraries has had a significant impact on the development of national libraries and library and information science around the world. The organization has promoted cooperation and collaboration among national libraries and has supported the development of digital libraries and online archives. The conference has also influenced the work of UNESCO and the International Council on Archives to promote cultural heritage and preservation of historical records. The organization has been recognized by International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the American Library Association (ALA) for its contributions to the development of library and information science. The conference has also been supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to promote library and information science and digital libraries. Category:Library associations