IFLA's Governing Board (GB) is responsible for the governance and financial and professional directions of IFLA, and represents the Federation in legal and other formal proceedings.

The Board consists of the President, the President-elect, ten directly elected members, the Chair of the Professional Committee, the Chairs of each IFLA Division, and the Chair of the Management of Library Associations Section's Standing Committee.

Members of the Governing Board meet on three occasions each year. At the IFLA Congress there are two meetings: one on the Friday before the Congress and one on the Friday after it ends. The Governing Board and its committees and working parties also meet in December and April at IFLA Headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands. Business is conducted in between meetings by email.