Dublin is a vibrant, English-speaking capital city, in a safe and stable liberal democracy, a member of the European Union with an open society. The city is a UNESCO City of Literature, the home of Oscar Wilde, James Joyce and four Nobel Laureates for Literature. It is also home to the iconic Old Library of Trinity College, other outstanding libraries and cultural institutions that are all centrally located.

The Convention Centre Dublin is the location for the WLIC. It provides a world-class conference venue in the heart of the city with large auditoria, naturally-lit meeting rooms and spacious foyer areas offering stunning views and ample opportunities for networking.

Dublin boasts world class hotels providing top quality accommodation. There are currently more than 150 hotels and over 20,000 beds, all approved by the National Tourism Authority. The hotels range from a luxury 5 star experience to lower cost budget accommodation, including new purpose-built student residences. Many additional rooms are expected to be available by 2020.

There are excellent transport connections between Dublin and elsewhere. The airport has an ever-expanding network of flights to Europe, Middle East, Asia and North America. Significantly, travellers to the USA from Ireland benefit from customs and immigration pre-clearance before they fly. Travel within the island as a whole is facilitated by a comprehensive road and rail network.

Dublin itself is well-served by public transport, easy to get around and easily walkable.

Dear Delegates,

The Irish National Committee is delighted to invite you all to the IFLA 86th World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) taking place from 15 to 21 August 2020 in Dublin, Ireland.

The WLIC in Dublin enjoys local and national Government support, engagement from librarians across all sectors, plus great commitment and enthusiasm throughout the country. The event will facilitate the exchange of experience and best practice between local, regional and international members of the profession, thereby providing useful insights and global comparisons to advance library innovation at home. Furthermore, contacts made at WLIC will last a lifetime and greatly enhance personal professional development.

Dublin has a large number and wide variety of libraries to visit and, being a relatively small island, libraries outside Dublin are easily accessible as well. We will be organising a range of guided tours – covering public, academic and special libraries, large and small, new and old.

In addition, Ireland is an attractive destination for cultural tours and leisure activities more generally, for accompanying persons and for delegates wishing to extend their stay, either before or after the conference. This is the first time the WLIC has been held in Ireland. There is huge excitement locally and it promises to be a week-long celebration of libraries and librarians. Most importantly, all delegates are assured of our warm Irish hospitality, Céad Míle Fáilte – a Hundred Thousand Welcomes!