Resumen de Diffusion of Professional Norms: the impact of IFLA in South Africa

Peter G. Underwood

• A study of the impact of the work of IFLA, including its role in the development of information literacy programmes, on the profession in South Africa, based on the views of South African professionals attending the World Library and Information Congress, 73rd IFLA General Conference, held in Durban, 19�23 August 2007. A series of focus group and other interviews was used. Themes arising from the discussions are:

  � That IFLA has a strong role to play in advice, guidance, and the development of standards; its role in national policy development is necessarily limited.

  � That the Congress is an important meeting place and its proceedings a source of inspiration to those who have come with a �prepared mind�.

  � That the infl uence of its work and proceedings could be greater if it were communicated in accessible forms in partnership with existing publications such as the IFLA Journal.

  � That, for the younger professional, seeking to become involved, IFLA is a daunting organization.