Barbara Lison Explained

Barbara Lison
Birth Place:Zbrosławice
Known For:International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)'s President
Education:Ruhr University Bochum
Employer:Bremen City Libraries
Occupation:Librarian
Nationality:German

Barbara Lison (born 2 October 1956) is a German librarian. She has led the Bremen public library service for thirty years. She led the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) from 2021 to 2023 stressing open-access and fair copyright.

Life

Lison was born in Zbrosławice in Poland in 1956. She studied Slavic studies, history and educational science at Ruhr University Bochum.[1] [2] She initially taught Russian in Düsseldorf followed by a teacher traineeship in Düsseldorf and then by a library traineeship in Bochum, Oldenburg while studying LIS in Cologne. In 1986 she worked as head of the information department at the Federal Institute for Industrial Health and Safety Standards in Dortmund.[1]

In 1987 she was appointed to lead the city library in Oldenburg. In 1992 she became director of the Bremen City Library.[3] There are nine branch libraries in Bremen.[4] She initially became involved with the IFLA while organising a successful bid to host the World Library and Information Congress in Berlin in 2003.[5]

In 2016 she became the 's President for three years.[3] After about twenty years of involvement with IFLA, including being the treasurer, she was elected IFLA President-elect in 2019. Between 2021 and 2023 she was IFLA President.[6] She had already been involved with a free e-lending scheme and her focus points included open-access and fair copyright.[7]

In an interview she said her favourite book was Roald Dahl's Matilda because it told the story of a girl who succeeds with the aid of a teacher and a librarian.[8]

Awards

In 2022 she was given the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Executive Committee Biographies . 2022-12-03 . web10.kaapeli.fi.
  2. Bremen Public Library Director Barbara Lison elected to OCLC Board of Trustees; new leaders, members participate in November Board meeting. November 14, 2012. librarytechnology.org.
  3. Web site: 2022-07-08 . Barbara Lison . 2022-12-03 . OCLC . fr-CA.
  4. Web site: Bremen City Library – Welcome to Bremen . 2022-12-03 . welcometobremen.de.
  5. Web site: In conversation with... Barbara Lison, IFLA President 2021-2023 . 2022-12-03 . IFLA . en-US.
  6. Web site: Barbara Lison Qatar National Library . 2022-12-03 . www.qnl.qa.
  7. Web site: Statement of Candidacy for IFLA President-elect 2019-2021: Barbara Lison (Germany) . 2022-12-03 . IFLA . en-US.
  8. Web site: Gomułka . Magdalena . 2019-04-04 . Interview: Barbara Lison . 2022-12-03 . IFLA New Professionals Special Interest Group . en.
  9. Web site: Bürgermeister Bovenschulte: "Sie prägt nicht nur die Entwicklung der öffentlichen Bibliotheken in Bremen" - Pressestelle des Senats . 2023-08-30 . www.senatspressestelle.bremen.de.