Dear colleagues

Please find below a Press Release from IFLA (International Federation of
Library Associations).

Best wishes

Julie

22 December 2004 - MEDIA RELEASE - IMMEDIATE

New Secretary General Professor Peter Lor

IFLA is delighted to announce the appointment of its new Secretary
General, Professor Peter Johan Lor, who will assume the position on 15
February 2005.

Professor Lor currently holds the post of Professor Extraordinary at
the Department of Information Science, University of Pretoria, South
Africa. Born in the Netherlands, Peter emigrated to South Africa where
he studied at the universities of Stellenbosch and Pretoria - later
studying at Caen in France.

Following appointments as University Librarian at the University of
Bophuthatswana, Assistant Director of the State Library, Pretoria, and
Professor in the University of South Africa's Department of Library and
Information Science, Peter Lor was the Director of the State Library.  He
subsequently became the National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of
the National Library of South Africa, which was formed in November 1999 by
the amalgamation of the State Library with the South African Library.  In
addition, he has served on the boards of directors of a number of
non-profit foundations, including the boards of SABINET (the South African
Bibliographic and Information Network), the Foundation for Library and
Information Services Development (as its Executive Director), and the Book
Development Foundation.  He also serves on the Executive of the Pretoria
Citizens' Advice Bureau.

Professor Lor has been a very active contributor to IFLA and currently
chairs the Advisory Board of IFLA's Action for Development through
Libraries Programme (ALP) and the interim standing committee of IFLA's
Section of Library and Information Science Journals. He chaired the
Conference of Directors of National Libraries from 1996 to 2000 and has
served as a member of the International Advisory Committee of the
Council on Library and Information Resources, Washington DC.  From 1996
to 1998 he was vice-chairperson of the Standing Conference of African
National and University Libraries in Eastern, Central and Southern
Africa.

Peter Lor was actively involved in developing policy for library and
information services for post-apartheid South Africa and played a
leading role in the formation of the Library and Information Association
of South Africa (LIASA), a new, inclusive organisation that replaced the
former separate associations.  He regards this as one of his biggest and
most satisfying professional achievements.

Professor Lor brings this wealth of administrative, academic and
association experience to the post of Secretary General.  He believes
passionately that good libraries are essential for the quality of life
of individuals and communities.  When accepting the appointment, Peter
stated that he is "thrilled to serve IFLA as Secretary General because
IFLA has a unique role to empower library and information professionals.

Individually and through our organisations we enable participation by
all in the knowledge society and we make an essential contribution to
building an informed, tolerant, just and cooperative world
community."

Welcoming the appointment, IFLA President Kay Raseroka said from Gaborone,
Botswana that she is delighted that IFLA has secured a professional
colleague of such high calibre to fill the important post of Secretary
General:  "IFLA's participation in the World Summit on the Information
Society has demonstrated the major contribution that libraries and
information services make to society.  Through its services to members and
its strong professional programs, coupled with engagement in public policy
arenas, IFLA works to create a more informed, just and safer world; to
preserve heritage; to support education and research; and to promote
democratic participation and tolerance.  As Secretary General, Peter Lor
will help us influence international agendas for the good of humanity."

-ENDS-

Contacts:
Mr Sjoerd Koopman, acting Secretary General, International Federation
of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), P O Box 95312, 2509 CH
The Hague Netherlands  Tel: +31 70 31 40 884  Fax: +31 70 38 34 827
Email:  sjoerd.koopman @ifla.org

Dr Alex Byrne, President elect, International Federation of Library
Associations and Institutions, Sydney, Australia. Tel: +61 2 9514 3332,
Fax: + 61 2 9514 3331 Email: [log in to unmask]

Professor Peter Lor, Secretary General elect, International Federation
of Library Associations and Institutions, Pretoria, South Africa.  Tel
+27 (0)12 420 4232 Fax +27 (0)12 362 5181 Email: <[log in to unmask]>