Editing Talk:Main Page (section)

== Library Diplomacy ==

Library Diplomacy

Library diplomacy refers to the role of libraries, librarians, and library institutions in international relations, especially in contributing to soft power, cultural diplomacy, and knowledge exchange. It is a growing concept in both library and information science and international relations scholarship, highlighting how libraries act as actors in diplomacy and global cooperation.

Origins and Conceptual Framework

The concept of library diplomacy has been theorized by scholars through a range of international relations lenses — including soft power, constructivism, realism, and practice theory from librarianship. 
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According to Mariano and Bell, library diplomacy can be divided into three dimensions:

Libraries in diplomacy – libraries influencing global policy, contributing expertise in international decision-making; 
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Libraries for diplomacy – libraries serving as platforms or instruments for cross-cultural engagement, building people-to-people relationships; 
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Diplomacy for libraries – international cooperation that supports development of libraries and librarianship globally. 
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Role in Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy

Libraries contribute to soft power by shaping values, promoting national identity, and making cultural and intellectual resources accessible. 
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The core values of librarianship — education, freedom of information, equality, and human rights — align closely with the values used in soft power projection. 
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Through cultural diplomacy, libraries help to build bridges between societies: they foster understanding by making cultural heritage, literature, and local knowledge accessible to international audiences. 
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For example, in the GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums) context, libraries actively participate in cultural diplomacy by hosting diasporic knowledge, collaborating across borders, and advocating for heritage preservation. 
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Knowledge Diplomacy and Open Knowledge

Library diplomacy is closely linked to knowledge diplomacy, which involves strengthening relations between countries via international higher education, research, and innovation. 
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Emilia Bell proposes the idea of open knowledge diplomacy, which frames open access, open scholarship, and open infrastructure as tools in diplomatic engagement. 
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In this framework, libraries can act as knowledge brokers — facilitating access, translation, and exchange of open research and policy-relevant information. 
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Institutional and Policy Influence

Library institutions and associations advocate for the role of libraries in global policy processes, such as cultural sustainability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 
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At the MONDIACULT 2022 conference (UNESCO), IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations) called on policymakers to recognize libraries as critical cultural actors. 
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Libraries also support media and information literacy, which is tied to UNESCO’s mission of inclusive information access and sustainable development. 
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Examples and Case Studies

In Armenia, the National Library of Armenia has engaged in “library diplomacy” as part of international library cooperation, sharing documents, resources, and values across borders. 
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In South Korea, public libraries have been involved in Korean cultural diplomacy: foreign-language book collections, “Korean Corners” in overseas libraries, and programming that promotes Korean literature and culture abroad. 
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The Biblioteca Benjamín Franklin in Mexico City is another example — it is the U.S. Embassy’s information center and fosters cultural and educational ties between the United States and Mexico. 
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Challenges and Critiques

Research indicates that while the concept of libraries as soft-power actors is gaining traction, empirical studies remain limited. 
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Critics caution that soft power framing can gloss over power imbalances, neocolonial patterns, or the “competitive” nature of international knowledge exchange. 
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There is also a risk that library diplomacy becomes instrumentalized — libraries being used primarily as tools of national foreign policy rather than as independent cultural institutions. 
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Future Directions

Scholars call for more grounded empirical research on how library diplomacy works in practice, and its long-term effects on global cultural relations. 
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The growing importance of digital diplomacy means libraries must consider virtual outreach, digitization, and online cultural exchange as part of their diplomatic mission. 
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Strengthening open knowledge infrastructure and promoting equitable access to information globally is seen as a path forward in library diplomacy. 
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International library networks (e.g., IFLA, regional associations) are increasingly important in diplomacy for libraries — coordinating capacity-building, advocacy, and shared cultural goals. 
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Significance

Library diplomacy highlights how libraries are not only local institutions but also global actors. By connecting people across borders, preserving cultural heritage, and supporting open access to knowledge, libraries contribute to cultural understanding, soft power projection, and international cooperation.

References

Bell, Emilia C., and Mary Anne Kennan. “The library as soft‑power actor: A review.” IFLA Journal, vol. 48, no. 4, 2021, pp. 706–716. DOI:10.1177/03400352211054113. 
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Bell, Emilia C. “Open knowledge through soft power, diplomacy, and the library: A theoretical analysis and critique.” Journal of Librarianship and Scholarly Communication, vol. 12, no. 2, 2025. DOI:10.31274/jlsc.18276. 
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Mariano, Randolf, and Emilia Bell. “Library Diplomacy” Seminar. Australian Library and Information Association, April 2024. 
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Prieto Gutiérrez, Juan José. “World Libraries, the Diplomatic Role of Cultural Agencies.” European Review, vol. 23, issue 3, July 2015, pp. 361–368. DOI:10.1017/S1062798715000137. 
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Mariano, Randolf. “Mapping and searching for a theory and concept of library diplomacy.” InformationR.net, CoLIS 2022 special issue. DOI:10.47989/colis2208. 
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Suciu, Marian, and Octavia Hulpoi. “Cultural Diplomacy Within the Library: The South Korean Model.” Transilvania, no. 10 (2024), pp. 51–57. 
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IFLA. “IFLA at the QNL Libraries Lead Forum: GLAMs and Cultural Diplomacy.” IFLA News, March 2023. 
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IFLA. “IFLA Brought the Voice of Libraries to the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT 2022.” IFLA, October 2022. 
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UNESCO. “Key Role of Libraries for Development of Media and Information Literacy Highlighted at 89th World Library and Information Congress.” UNESCO News, August 2025. 
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ALIA (Australian Library & Information Association). “Cultural diplomacy.” ALIA repository. 
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