Honorary Fellow is IFLA’s highest award and is conferred on the basis of merit, on a person who has delivered long and distinguished service to IFLA and the global library field. It may not necessarily be awarded every year.

The award of Honorary Fellow acknowledges:

  • Exemplary personal and professional contribution to IFLA;
  • Leadership and influence amongst colleagues and peers;
  • Exemplary contribution to the global library field.
  • Efforts in fostering IFLA values, for example, diversity, inclusion and equality.

Find out about how to make a nomination for Honorary Fellow.

Past recipients

  • Christine Mackenzie, 2023
  • Glòria Pérez-Salmerón, 2021
  • Deborah Jacobs, 2019
  • Donna Scheeder, 2019 († 2022)
  • Sinikka Sipilä, 2018
  • Jennefer Nicholson, 2016
  • Ingrid Parent, 2015
  • Alex Byrne, 2014
  • Winston Tabb, 2012
  • Ellen Tise, 2012
  • Claudia Lux, 2010
  • Klaus G. Saur, 2009
  • Kay Raseroka, 2007
  • Marta Terry, 2006 († 2018)
  • Ross Shimmon, 2005
  • Christine Deschamps, 2003
  • Marianne Scott, 2003
  • Warren Horton, 1999 († 2003)
  • Russell Bowden, 1995 († 2016)
  • Marcelle Beaudiquez, 1993 († 2019)
  • Wim R.H. Koops, 1989
  • Henriette D. Avram, 1987 († 2006)
  • Margreet Wijnstroom, 1987 († 2018)
  • Günther Pflug, 1981 († 2008)
  • Harry C. Campbell, 1979 († 2009)
  • Robert Vosper, 1977 († 1994)
  • Joachim Wieder, 1977 († 1992)
  • Margarita Rudominó, 1973 († 1990)
  • Leendert Brummel, 1965 († 1976)
  • Arthur C. Breycha-Vauthier, 1964 († 1986)
  • Julien Cain, 1964 († 1974)
  • Tietse Pieter Sevensma, 1958 († 1965)
  • Herbert Maurice Cashmore, 1952 († 1972)
  • Aleksander Ludwik Birkenmajer, 1947 († 1967)
  • Cardinal Eugene Tisserant, 1936 († 1972)

† = Deceased