In comparing the IFLA Trend Report from 2013 with its update in 2018, it’s evident that both reports acknowledge the transformative impact of technology on information access, education, and social dynamics.

Both reports highlight the influence of technology on the global information landscape. In 2013, the focus was on the expansion and limitation of information access due to new technologies. The 2018 update builds on this, emphasising the shift to digital and its impact on library principles.  The notion of education undergoing significant changes is present in both reports. In 2013, the emphasis is on online education democratising and disrupting global learning. The 2018 update reinforces this by acknowledging the challenges posed by the shift to digital, presenting an opportunity for libraries to play a role in making the internet more useful and inclusive.  The concept of hyper-connected societies and the empowerment of new voices is evident in the 2013 report. In 2018, the emphasis is on the enduring importance of libraries as a source of expertise and truth in the face of the web’s challenges. Both reports recognise the social shifts brought about by technological advancements.

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. (2016). IFLA Trend Report.  http://trends.ifla.org