The details are available at Freadom but the short version is that IFLA avoided the embarrassment of voting against freedom through some apparent shenanigans.  Castro just wanted to say thanks.

I emailed the following to ALA President, Leslie Burger:

Dear Ms. Burger,

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions meets in Seoul, Korea starting August 20. On 
the agenda will be an opportunity to speak out against the imprisonment of librarians in Cuba for the contentious
act of sharing books. You have said that you do not want to influence others by saying anything on this issue in advance.
But there is a reason ALA holds more than one vote. American libraries lead the world in what we offer our 
communities. Books, music, movies, art, newspapers, magazines, in print or online, covering everything the Universe 
has to offer. Our shelves are also filled with tomes both building up and tearing down our President (past and present), our Government, our Way of Life. A time honored practice we've enjoyed for centuries and its made us a stronger nation
because of it. It is in our best interest and the interest of libraries around the world to encourage this kind of freedom.
That people can share resources and collect knowledge that both supports and challenges governments of all kinds.
To share ideas and fight for brighter futures. 

Cuba is not the only country guilty of stifling dissent by imprisoning innocents but it is guilty. And if we as librarians 
can not say this one simple thing then we lack the resolve to speak out against countries that are far worse and we 
lack the credibility when speaking out against that which is considered to be much less. So I ask you to support the 
jailed Cuban librarians and give them a chance at the same type of freedoms you and I have always enjoyed.

Sincerely,
Greg McClay
www.shush.ws

I hope you'll contact Ms. Burger ( lburger@princetonlibrary.org ) and respectfully ask her to support this cause.

About Cuban Librarians

More Information at FREADOM