Background

Stichting IFLA Global Libraries (SIGL) oversees the significant legacy grant provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The grant’s sole purpose is to fund IFLA’s work.

On 29 September, a group of associations and individuals sent a letter to the SIGL Board, addressed to Board Chair Glòria Pérez-Salmerón and Board member Prof. Dr Ágnes Hajdu Barát. The letter concerned the vacant Board position created by the sad and untimely death of Dr Victoria Okojie.

Governance concerns and requested changes

The signatories are calling on SIGL to agree to the appointment of an IFLA-endorsed representative to the vacant Board position. They are also calling for stronger transparency and accountability in SIGL’s operations.

According to SIGL’s Annual Financial Statements, expenditure on advisors, rent and travel associated with Board activities totalled:

·       2025: €463,671

·       2024: €548,978

Together, these costs exceeded €1 million over two years. This expenditure supported the Board activities of three volunteer members, whose primary responsibility is to provide funds to IFLA.

The signatories believe these measures will strengthen governance, reduce unnecessary administrative expenditure, and ensure that the greatest possible proportion of the grant reaches its intended purpose: supporting the development of libraries worldwide through IFLA.

This petition demonstrates support across the library community for the original letter’s call for transparent governance and responsible stewardship of these funds. We invite members of the international library community, and everyone who values libraries, to add their names.

How to support the call

Funds intended for libraries should serve libraries. Add your voice to the call for transparent governance, accountable stewardship and the appointment of an endorsed representative. Sign the petition today and help demonstrate the library community’s support for these changes. The petition will remain open for four weeks.