Kathmandu, September 26:

A joint conference organised by Nepal Library Association and the Tribhuvan University Central Library, aimed at establishing the Regional Federation of South Asian Library Associations (REFSALA) with the support of the International Federation of Library Association and Institutions (IFLA)/ Advancement of Librarianship (ALP), has concluded, a press release said today. Representatives of the national library associations of the South Asian countries participated at the meet. Presidents of national libraries of Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal also took part in the conference. The conference ended with the declaration of the formation of REFSALA, which will be headed by Bhola Shrestha, president of Nepal Library Association, while the presidents of the national libraries of the region will serve as council members of the new organisation. The conference also endorsed the constitution of REFSALA. The mission of REFSALA is to encourage co-operation and development of the library associations of the region. It will also work towards promoting high-quality libraries and information services in South Asia.