IFLA conference on protecting destroyed libraries in Nepal

KATHMANDU, August 12

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), a leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users, is organising a week-long conference with the aim of providing international cooperation to safeguard the destroyed library collection and buildings in Nepal.

The devastating earthquake of April 25 had destroyed library buildings and books in Nepal. Bina Vaidhya, former associate librarian, Tribhuvan University Central Library, on Wednesday said IFLA was organising its 81st conference in Cape Town, South Africa from August 15 for international cooperation for construction of damaged libraries in Nepal.

She said the theme of the 81st conference is ‘Dynamic Libraries Access Development and Transformation in Nepal’. She said, “I will be representing Nepal and I will try my best to portray the situation of libraries and request international cooperation.”

She said that she will be presenting a discussion paper on the situation of libraries where information on cultural heritage documents are stored. “The discussion will mainly focus on four libraries of Nepal that possess many documents, namely, Tribhuvan University Central Library (TUCL), Nepal National Library, Kesar Library and Madan Puraskar Library,” she added.

“We will be mainly discussing international cooperation in safeguarding those destroyed collections and building,” said Vaidhya. More than 3,000 librarians are participating in IFLA’s 81st General Conference and Assembly.

IFLA is an independent international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation that aims to promote high standard of provision and delivery of library as well as information services.

It also aims to encourage widespread understanding of the both.