S'pore to host 2 major international conferences on books and libraries

As part of the conference, there will be six free public talks held at the Central Public Library. The talks will cover topics such as how to encourage the young to read and making books accessible to those with special needs. Registration details will be announced later.

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Here is the full statement from the IFLA-WLIC:

Over 3,000 delegates from 150 countries will gather in Singapore this month as it hosts two prestigious international events for the first time: the 79th International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) and the 2nd International Summit of the Book.

Mrs Elaine Ng, Chair of the IFLA WLIC 2013 National Committee and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library Board, said, "Hosting the IFLA WLIC Congress and the International Summit of the Book will allow library and information professionals in Singapore to learn from an international community of thought leaders. Delegates to the Congress will share trends and developments in library services around the world, and discuss their vision for the libraries of the future.

"What Singapore libraries learn from the Congress and the Summit will enable us to make improvements to the experience of library goers in Singapore."

The 2nd International Summit of the Book (16 Aug 2013) is initiated by the Library of Congress to discuss the importance of libraries and books in the preservation of cultural identities, and to promote thought leadership on the role and influence of books. This will be the second Summit of the Book, and the first to be held outside the United States.

Themed A Book By Any Other Name, this year's summit will discuss the future of the book. Panel discussions by prominent speakers will look into topics such as the book's rapid evolution in the age of digital publishing, its impact on literacy, the culture of reading, and its relevance in the transmission of culture and history. Delegates will also take the opportunity to explore these issues from an Asian perspective.

The 79th IFLA World Library and Information Congress (17 to 23 Aug 2013) is the flagship event for the library and information sector, where the global library community debates and explores the latest developments in library sciences and technologies from around the world. Comprising 1500 members from about 150 countries, IFLA is the leading international body representing the interests of libraries and information services.

This year's congress is themed Future Libraries: Infinite Possibilities. Delegates will discuss issues such as the contribution of libraries in the age of the Internet, technology's impact on reading and learning, and the role of cultural institutions in preserving heritage for future generations.

The two events feature a stellar line-up of more than 20 distinguished thought leaders from academia, industry and government sectors, including Dr Ismail Serageldin, Director, Library of Alexandria, Vice-President of the Institut d'Egypte, Professor Cathy Davidson, Ruth F. DeVarney Professor of English, John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies & Co-director of Ph.D. Lab in Digital Knowledge, Duke University, USA and Dr John Van Oudenaren, Director of the World Digital Library, Library of Congress, USA.

For the 79th IFLA World Library and Information Congress: Ambassador Chan Heng Chee, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore Dr Parag Khanna, leading geo-strategist, author, and world traveler and Director of the Hybrid Reality Institute Dr Cherian George, Associate Professor at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University, Singaporean writer and academic

Mrs Elaine Ng added, "I encourage the public to attend the six free public talks at our libraries lined up as part of the IFLA congress and Summit of the Book. Topics include how to encourage the young to read, and making books accessible to readers with special needs. I am grateful for the generous support of speakers, volunteers and local businesses - thank you for helping us to make these two events possible."

Registration details for the public talks will be announced later. Admission is free.