IFLA PC Elected and SC Voting in Progress

The results of the elections for Chair of the Professional Committee and Chairs of the new IFLA Divisions I-V are announced:

Chair of the Professional Committee:
Patrice Landry
Chief of Classification and IndexingSwiss National LibraryHallwylstrasse 153003 BERNSwitzerland

Chair of Division I – Library Types:
Steve Witt
Associate Director, Center for Global Studies, University of Illinois302 East John, Suite 1705CHAMPAIGN, IL 61820 MC-428United States

Chair of Division II – Library Collections:
Ann Okerson
Associate University Librarian for Collections & International ProgramsYale University LibrarySterling Memorial Library - 116B130 Wall Street NEW HAVEN, CT 06520United States

Chair of Division III – Library Services:
Judy Field
Senior Lecturer, Library and Information ScienceWayne State University106 KresgeDetroit, MI 48202United States

Chair of Division IV – Support of the Profession:
Michael Heaney
Executive Secretary, Oxford University Library ServicesClarendon Building, Bodleian LibraryOxford OX1 3BG
United Kingdom

Chair of Division V – Regions:
Buhle Mbambo-Thata
Buhle Mbambo-ThataExecutive DirectorUNISA, Library ServicesP.O. Box 392PRETORIA 0003 South Africa

The voting of Standing Committee members of sections are in progress. As to the Cataloguing Section, there are 7 vacancies and 14 nominations. We are waiting for the final results after May 13.

International Cataloguing Principles available in more languages

The Statement of International Cataloguing Principles is now available
in 17 languages on IFLANET:
http://www.ifla.org/VII/s13/icp/

The Howard University Choir visits Beijing

Today, I attended the performance of The Howard University Choir in the Embassy of the United States in Beijing. Among the music from the African American Experience, I like "St. Louis Blues" very much.
The choir consists of 16 members under the leadership of Dr. J. Weldon Norris.

30 Years of Fudan (Video)

This is an interesting video clip about the history of Fudan University during the 30 years from 1978 to 2008. It was presented at the gathering of Fudan young alumni at Marriott Beijing City Wall, March 7, 2009, with an audience of 650 participants.

It reminds me of the 1980s of idealism when China just began to be open to the outside world. It can be called an enlightenment period after the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). I studied at Fudan from 1980 to 1987 for my bachelor's and master's degree. I was deeply influenced by the campus culture of Fudan, which is sometimes mislabeled with "petit bourgeoisie".

Fudan Alumni got together

Yesterday, about 650 young alumni (1978-2008) of Fudan University got together at Marriott Beijing City Wall. I graduated from Fudan University in 1987, and had never participated in any gathering of Fudan alumni in Beijing.

I am very glad that I can join this meeting and see many friends. However, most alumni are graduates in the 1990s and 2000s, and I was very old among them.

IFLA Chinese Language Centre established!

Forwarding the latest news from IFLA Headquarters:

IFLA Chinese Language Centre established at the National Library of China, Beijing

In February 2009 the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the National Library of China (NLC) in Beijing signed a cooperation agreement by which NLC received a status of IFLA Chinese Language Centre. It can now be seen as a permanent representative of IFLA/HQ for the Chinese speaking community, as well as the other way around: it is hoped that IFLA/HQ will get improved access to Chinese speaking library and information professionals.
The IFLA Chinese Language Centre will promote IFLA, support IFLA’s Asia and Oceania Section as well as other relevant IFLA professional bodies and liaise with IFLA/HQ. Among the priorities of the Centre are:
1. Active membership recruitment. This will be conducted with the help of national or other association members and/or national libraries. Institutions and associations (including specialist and state associations) within the Chinese language community will be actively encouraged to join IFLA.
2. (Co-) organising regional IFLA events. These will be co-organised with IFLA/HQ, and/or with IFLA professional units (Sections and Core Activities). This activity includes seeking sources for funding of IFLA projects.
3. Seek involvement in local or regional professional events to gain support within the Chinese language community, trying to get IFLA “branding” of local or regional events.
4. Contribute to more effective communication within the Chinese language community and with the IFLA bodies involved. These activities include the publication of newsletters, translations of key IFLA documents and publications and the production of a Chinese translation of IFLA Express during IFLA’s annual congresses.
5. Representing IFLA in the Chinese language community, in a pursuit to make IFLA more visible in that community, promoting IFLA goals, principles and core values.
6. Translation of key IFLA documents, guidelines, press-releases, papers prepared for the Assembly Meetings etc.

For further information about the Centre and its activities please contact
Mr. Yan Xiangdong
Email address: interco@nlc.gov.cn
Fax +86-10-68419271
The Hague/Beijing, March 2009

NLC is planning the digital collection development for the year of 2009

Today, National Library of China held a meeting on the digital collection development in 2009. All department directors atttended the meeting. Some departments are responsible for the projects and others will provide supports.