The main goal of IFLA is to promote mutual understanding, cooperation, exchange, research and development between international libraries and information circles. It holds a general meeting in its member countries every year. Its highest body is the Council, that is, the General Assembly. Its main institutions are the Executive Committee and the Professional Committee. The executive committee is elected by the board of directors, and its members include the chairman, the first vice-chairman, the treasurer and the chairman of the professional committee. The professional committee consists of professional departments, groups and round tables engaged in IFLA professional work. The secretariat is responsible for the daily work of IFLA, which is usually called IFLA headquarters.

1927 On September 30th, at the celebration meeting of the 50th anniversary of the British Library Association, representatives from China, Britain, the United States and other countries 14 jointly proposed and passed a resolution to formally announce the establishment of IFLA. Due to historical reasons, China broke off relations with IFLA for a long time. It was not until 198 1 that IFLA recognized library society of china as the only member representing China, and China returned to IFLA. 1996 the 62nd IFLA conference was held in Beijing.