RA 6: The IFLA Internet Manifesto

The IFLA Internet Manifesto

Source: The IFLA Internet Manifesto. Retrieved from http://www.ifla.org/en/publications/the-ifla-internet-manifesto

Abstract:

The IFLA Internet manifesto states that access to the internet and all its resources should be consistent with the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and especially Article 19 ‘everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas thru any media and regardless of frontiers. It also stresses that library users have the right to expect the same degree of expression and freedom of access to information on the Internet as they do with print materials. With that libraries have the responsibility to serve all of the members of their communities regardless of age, race, nationality, religion, culture and librarians and electronic information efficiently and effectively. Librarians should also proactively promote and facilitate responsible access to quality networked information for all their users including children and young people.


Three things I’ve learned from the Article:
1. Access to the internet and all its resources should be consistent with the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and especially Article 19.
2. The manifesto has a great contribution to make to librarians all over the world as Internet access continues to increase.
3. IFLA encourages the library community to develop strategies, policies, and plans that implement the principles expressed in the Manifesto.


Reflection:
As a librarian it is very important that we provide the information needs of all kinds of users from any form of media like print/non-print or through the Internet. The declaration of IFLA of the right to access to information to every human being teaches us how to be responsible facilitators/users of the Internet. Libraries should create clear and transparent policies for internet access particularly stressing the balance of responsibilities between staff and users. Also, librarians should proactively promote and facilitate responsible access to quality networked information for all their users including children and young people.