"With malice toward none": IFLA and the Cold War

Abstract

The International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) strengthened its international character and maintained its political neutrality throughout the tense years of the Cold War. Literature dealing with this period in history describes an atmosphere of intercultural understanding, characterized not merely by tolerance but also by appreciation of regional differences. However, two global political movements created suspicion and resentment among members within the organization. First, the Western members criticized the lack of freedom and openness in the Soviet Union. At the time of the 1970 IFLA conference in Moscow, the Western countries accused the Soviet Union of suppressing its literature and of denying visas to members. Second, IFLA members of the Third World who felt threatened by Western cultural imperialism expressed feelings of resentment toward the West. They felt that they were denied equal opportunity to participate, particularly at international conferences, all of which were held in Europe. Now, after the collapse of Communism and the Eastern European bloc, some of these feelings of conflict have been resolved. In particular, IFLA members from the Soviet Union enjoy more freedom to access information.