The Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) are partnering to increase access to essential digital services and capacity building through the trusted, accessible global networks of post offices and libraries.
Together, the UPU and IFLA will focus on helping the 2.6 billion people[1] who still lack Internet to access essential digital services. Combining resources and expertise, the organizations will help posts and libraries join forces to offer complementary services, digital literacy training and greater access to digital infrastructure. Their partnership is formalized through a memorandum of understanding that will guide joint research and advocacy efforts through 2027.
The collaboration will assess overlaps between postal and library networks, evaluate their current levels of digitization and gather examples of successful cooperation to devise best practices. The objective is to support the transformation of these institutions into fully integrated digital access points that can meet a wide range of community needs.
Natural allies
UPU Digital Inclusion Expert Kevin Hernandez explains how the collaboration can help drive progress on international digital inclusion objectives, particularly those of the UN’s Global Digital Compact.
“Digitalization now affects every sector of society, and no single actor can fully bridge digital divides alone,” he said. “Posts and libraries - specifically the UPU and IFLA - are natural allies in promoting digital inclusion because both represent extensive global networks serving local communities, including women and vulnerable and marginalized populations.”
IFLA Digital Affairs Policy and Advocacy Officer Maria De Brasdefer said, “By joining forces, we hope to turn our ambitions into local action, particularly in underserved areas, and to advance meaningful connectivity and equitable access to information so everyone, everywhere has the opportunity to participate in the digital world.”
IFLA collects data on a network of 2.8 million libraries around the globe, while the UPU’s network comprises 650,000 post offices. The UPU’s connect.post initiative, launched in 2023, aims to transform all post offices into digital hubs by 2030. IFLA has also set its focus on ensuring its network is connected in the years to come.
Digitally connected libraries have leveraged their position as information access points to offer digital literacy and skills development programs. On the other hand, posts have also expanded their traditional communication services to include digitally enabled services, such as e-commerce, digital finance, and e-government, as well as digital connectivity.
“While there may be overlaps - such as libraries helping citizens navigate e-government portals and posts providing digital skills training - our partnership seeks to ensure that combined efforts have greater impact than isolated initiatives,” said Hernandez.
He adds that, by working together, posts and libraries can create strong referral pathways to ensure holistic digital inclusion support within a trusted community network.
Appeal to posts
The UPU and IFLA are already setting their work in motion, collecting case studies and ideas from across their membership.
If you are a postal operator that has already partnered with libraries to promote digital inclusion and would like to share your experience, or learn how you can collaborate with libraries locally, please reach out to the UPU at connect.post@upu.int.