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Sent: 21 August 2007 11:38 IFLA Centre for Arabic Speaking Libraries and Information Institutions Established The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) of Alexandria, Egypt, signed today a cooperation agreement by which the BA has the status of IFLA Centre for Arabic Speaking Libraries and Information Centre. It can now be seen as a permanent representative of IFLA/HQ for the Arabic speaking professional community, as well as the other way around: it is hoped that IFLA/HQ will get better access to Arabic speaking library and information professionals. The IFLA Centre has as its duties to promote IFLA, support IFLA's Africa Section IFLA's Asia and Oceania Section 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 Arabic 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 Arabic language community, trying to get IFLA "branding" of local/regional events. 4. Contribute to more effective communication within the Arabic language community and with the IFLA bodies involved. These activities include the publication of newsletters, translations of key IFLA documents and publications, the production of an Arabic translation of IFLA Express during IFLA's annual conferences, as well as interpretation services during the same event. 5. Representing IFLA in the Arabic language community, in a pursuit to make IFLA more visible in that community, promoting IFLA goals, principles and core values. For further information about the Centre and its activities please contact Dr. Sohair F. Wastawy, Chief Librarian, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Chatby, Alexandria 21526, Egypt. Email: [log in to unmask] Durban, South Africa, 20 August 2007