World Library and Information Congress, Milan, 2009: opening address by the President of the Italian Library Association

Speech presented at the Opening Ceremony of the 75th IFLA Congress, Milan, August 23-27, 2009. How can libraries use their specific skills to make themselves fundamental in the digital age? Libraries must add an educational aspect to their traditional role of supplying information. Knowledge Society needs responsible citizens who acquired the skill of information competence. Libraries should support the principle of Open Access. Libraries create futures: building on cultural heritage is the theme of the Congress. The term future is plural because the world is plural. And plurality means diversity: plurality and diversity, or multiculturalism, has always been ensured by libraries in the name of tolerance and respect for ideas, religious beliefs, and cultural systems.