IFLA Reaffirms Commitment to Universal Bibliographic Control with New Professional Statement
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has announced the release of its updated “Professional Statement on Universal Bibliographic Control” (2025 Edition). Published on July 29, 2025, at 08:40 JST by the Current Awareness Portal, this significant document underscores IFLA’s renewed dedication to the foundational principles of Universal Bibliographic Control (UBC) and its ongoing relevance in the digital age.
Universal Bibliographic Control (UBC) is a concept that has been central to library and information science for decades. At its core, UBC aims to ensure that a bibliographic record exists for every publication in the world, and that these records are shared internationally. This facilitates seamless access to information, regardless of geographical location or language.
The release of the 2025 edition of the Professional Statement signifies that while the landscape of information creation and dissemination has evolved dramatically, the fundamental need for robust bibliographic control remains paramount. The statement likely addresses how UBC principles are being applied and adapted to the complexities of the current information environment, which includes digital resources, hybrid collections, and the increasing volume of born-digital content.
Key aspects that this updated statement might emphasize include:
- Adapting UBC for the Digital Realm: The statement is expected to articulate how IFLA envisions UBC being implemented in the context of digital publications, including e-books, online journals, and other digital formats. This could involve discussions on persistent identifiers, metadata standards for digital resources, and strategies for the bibliographic control of web content.
- International Collaboration and Data Sharing: The continued importance of international cooperation in creating and sharing bibliographic data will undoubtedly be a focal point. This includes promoting interoperability between national bibliographic agencies and encouraging the adoption of global metadata standards.
- The Role of National Libraries and Bibliographic Agencies: The statement likely reiterates the crucial role of national libraries and other designated bibliographic agencies in leading and coordinating UBC efforts within their respective countries.
- Accessibility and Discoverability: Ultimately, UBC serves the goal of making information more accessible and discoverable for users worldwide. The new statement may highlight how UBC contributes to equitable access to knowledge and supports research and lifelong learning.
- Future Directions and Challenges: IFLA’s commitment to UBC is forward-looking. The 2025 statement is anticipated to outline future challenges and opportunities in achieving comprehensive bibliographic control, such as addressing emerging technologies, ensuring data quality, and promoting multilingual access.
The “Professional Statement on Universal Bibliographic Control” (2025 Edition) serves as a vital beacon, guiding libraries and information professionals across the globe in their efforts to build a more organized, accessible, and interconnected world of knowledge. It reaffirms IFLA’s enduring commitment to ensuring that every published item, in whatever format it exists, is recorded and discoverable.
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カレントアウェアネス・ポータル published ‘国際図書館連盟（IFLA）、国際書誌コントロール（UBC）の重要性を再確認する声明“Professional Statement on Universal Bibliographic Control”（2025年版）を発表’ at 2025-07-29 08:40. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.