Four main areas include

• Supporting and lobbying for free and equal access to libraries for all citizens regardless of age, gender and cultural background and to do this as part of ongoing democracy development
   
• Contributing to the work being done by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Association (EBLIDA) concerning copyright exceptions for libraries, e.g. making access to digital sources and documents as easy as access to printed materials
   
• Supporting less developed countries in their efforts to establish efficient national library associations
   
• Influencing the international library agenda in order to promote Danish policies and goals. The major task here right now here is the transformation of the traditional book library into the modern 21st century library offering both classic library services as well as digital and web based services

THE DLA acts internationally through three main channels representing three levels of action.
On a global level, DLA is a member of the IFLA. On a European level, the DLA is one of the founders of EBLIDA and finally on a subregional level, the DLA works in partnership with the other Nordic library associations.
 
IFLA
http://www.ifla.org - was established in 1927 with the overall aim to lobby for academic libraries and their continuous development, e.g. for library legislation and strategies, relevant copyright issues as well as professional guidelines and standards. Today, IFLA represents all types of libraries as reflected by its many professional sections.

The DLA is a member of three of those sections and even has representatives on their steering committees. These are: Public Libraries, Libraries for Children and Young Adults, and Management of Library Associations (MLAS). Currently the DLA is running for IFLA’s Governing Board (spring 2011).
 
IFLA’s Section Committees
Libraries for Children and Young Adults Section
Ms Kirsten Boelt
ktb-kultur@aalborg.dk
 
Management of Library Associations
Ms Hellen Niegaard
hn@db.dk
 
Public Libraries
Mr Kent Skov Andreasen
ksan@odense.dk

 
EBLIDA
http://www.eblida.org - was established in the 1990’s as a means to promote the copyright interests of libraries in the European Union (EU). Its aim is to counterbalance the EU’s predominantly commercial approach to copyright matters. However, EBLIDA also deals with other relevant issues, such as the need for joint European ICT-related strategies in the area of libraries, support for national reading campaigns and grass root activities.

EBLIDA Executive Board
Ms Lene Byrialsen, Odense
lenebyrialsen@gmail.com
 

Nordic co-operation
The third level is the co-operation between the library associations in the five Nordic countries. At the moment this network directs its efforts towards the copyright situation in the area of digital documents and resources and has established a Digital Committee for that purpose.
 
Contact DLA director Mr. Steen-Hansen, msh@db.dk for further information.