The ICML + EAHIL 2017 Experience


Photo credits: Tiina Heino

Two Filipino librarians attended the 12th International Congress on Medical Librarianship (ICML) and the 2017 European Association for Health Information Libraries (EAHIL) Workshop organized by the Health Research Board, IFLA Health and Biosciences Section and the EAHIL. The theme of the congress is Diversity in Practice: Integrating, Inspiring & Innovative. As reported by Ms.  Aoife Lawton (International Program Committee Chair), about thirty-three countries participated in this congress which made it more diverse and global.  The congress was held at Dublin Castle, Dublin, Ireland from 12-16 June 2017.

Mr. Joseph M. Yap (Public Programs Librarian, DLSU) together with Ms. Gina G. Canceran (University Librarian, UP Manila) presented their paper entitled, “The Status of Continuing Professional Development of Select Medical and Health Librarians in the City of Manila.” The paper discussed the types of programs each medical or health librarian attend or engage into in response to the recently enacted Philippine Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Act of 2016. More than 70 papers were shared and presented and various workshops happened during the congress which attracted more than 400 delegates from around the world.


The International Congress on Medical Librarianship happens every four years. ICML is co-sponsored by International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). IFLA is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. The Section on Health and Biosciences Libraries Section of IFLA works hand-in-hand with ICML. Meanwhile, The European Association for Health Information and Libraries (EAHIL) which is the major sponsor for this congress is an active association uniting librarians and information professionals working in medical and health science libraries in Europe.