In recent years, society has been changing rapidly with the onset of a new digital era and rapid developments in information technology and digital communications. It is time for libraries to work together with library scholars and professionals in order to fulfill the role and functions of 21st century information centres to meet the challenges of this fast moving world.

IFLA has chosen this theme because they think that libraries should act as a dynamic engine for the knowledge and information society. This is to be the mission of library scholars and professionals worldwide in the new era.