The IFLA global vision project in Zimbabwe : towards a unified field road map for libraries

The development of libraries in any country is critical for its socio-economic transformation, especially in the 21st century where access to information and knowledge has become the key factor in production. In support of this thinking, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) launched its Global Vision project in 2017, which has attracted the participation of over 190 countries worldwide. For most nations, this project has indeed created platforms for championing strong and united library associations that contribute towards developing literate, informed and participative societies. A number of countries in Africa have taken the initiative to participate in the IFLA Global Vision project, and Zimbabwe is no exception. This article seeks to examine the challenges and opportunities for Zimbabwe as a participant. It also scrutinises the road travelled by librarians in Zimbabwe in their pursuit of a vision to reposition their libraries in the global library landscape. The article studies the factors affecting the development of a unified library sector in Zimbabwe. In addition, it explores how Zimbabwe’s national professional association, the Zimbabwe Library Association (ZIMLA), can unite librarians and contribute towards the IFLA Global Vision for a unified library profession. The article proposes a strategy to enhance unity among library professionals for the actualisation of the IFLA Global Vision.任何国家的图书馆事业发展，对其社会经济转型均具有关键支撑作用，尤其在21世纪，信息与知识的获取已成为生产活动的核心要素。秉持这一理念，国际图书馆协会与机构联合会（International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, IFLA）于2017年启动了全球愿景项目（Global Vision project），目前已吸引全球超190个国家参与。对多数国家而言，该项目搭建了扶持壮大团结有力的图书馆协会的平台，进而推动建设兼具读写能力、信息素养与公共参与意识的社会。非洲已有多国主动参与IFLA全球愿景项目，津巴布韦亦不例外。本文旨在探析作为参与方的津巴布韦所面临的挑战与发展机遇，同时梳理津巴布韦图书馆员为实现将本国图书馆重新定位为全球图书馆版图中重要一员的愿景所走过的发展历程。本文还研究了影响津巴布韦统一图书馆事业发展的各类因素。此外，本文探讨了津巴布韦全国性专业协会——津巴布韦图书馆协会（Zimbabwe Library Association, ZIMLA）应如何团结图书馆从业者，助力实现IFLA推动图书馆行业统一的全球愿景。本文最终提出了一项强化图书馆从业者凝聚力、助力实现IFLA全球愿景的策略方案。