Ingrid Parent, UBC’s University Librarian, last week became the President of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) for a two-year term.
She is the first Canadian to head an organization that has been the global voice of the library and information profession for more than eight decades.
A UBC graduate, Parent first became involved with IFLA in 1993 while working at the National Library of Canada. She has held many roles at IFLA since then and has served as the President-elect for the past two years.
IFLA, founded in 1927 and headquartered in The Hague (Parent will remain based in Vancouver during her presidency), features more than 1,600 members from 120 countries. It is the only organization that speaks for library associations, institutions and librarians around the world.
“I believe that libraries have the power to change people’s lives and thus change communities and society,” Parent said. “And it often starts with one person, one book, one helping hand in a library or a drop-in centre.”
For more, visit http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/2011/08/23/ubc%E2%80%99s-university-librarian-first-canadian-to-head-global-group/
