Home | Information Services for social and 
economic development (Summary)
Full Text: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4

Estonia
Many Estonian libraries now offer their collections and services via the Internet http://www.nlib.ee/inglise/lib/lib.html

Finland
Ask a Librarian
Co-operative online enquiry facility.
http://www.libraries.fi/fi/asklibrarian/default.asp

Information Gas Station
The iGS service point is a mobile information service booth, which is taken to where the people are: to public places, e.g. railway stations or shopping centres, fairs or service blocks. Web customers are given information service through e-mail or text messages, in the future also with a chat technique. Web customers reach the information Gas Station through the iGS web page, at http://igs.kirjastot.fi/

France
Montpellier Public Library
Provides a virtual tour of the library.
http://www.ville-montpellier.fr/vmtm/modele/index.php?idrub=331&

Germany
Cologne Public Library
An outstanding example of a public library delivering business information is Cologne Public library which for about ten years has provided a comprehensive information service for SMEs and private individuals. Charges may be levied for some services. http://www.stbib-koeln.de/angebote/info.htm

Stuttgart Public Library
has an interesting information site "Beruf - Karriere -Wirtschaft"
http://www.s.shuttle.de/buecherei/

Greece
Veria Central Public Library
The first public library in Greece with a web server and web site (from 1996), the library provides an example of how limited resources can be used to offer electronic services to the general public and special groups. The library has participated in various European projects and developed special services. Particular emphasis has been given to the design and hosting of web pages for volunteer organisations and small business e.g. wineries. Short introductory courses in information technology are offered to the general public.
http://www.libver.gr/

Ireland
SWAP (South West Action Project)
Bantry and Clonakilty libraries provide a Business Information Service called SWAP in conjunction with Forbairt, the West Cork Enterprise Board and the Library Council. It serves a rural area and offers a range of information that is relevant for those in business.
http://www.corkcoco.com/cccmm/services/library/business_Information_Service

Macedonia
Computer, science, research and informative centre (CSRIC)
In the Public and University library "St. Kliment Ohridski" in Bitola, and sponsored by USAID - Macedonia, this is a regional centre for all users in southeastern Macedonia where they can access online the bibliographical databases of many libraries around the world. The centre has also become a regional training centre for librarians.
http://www.mubbt.edu.mk/

AGRO
Regional project with own software for building bibliographical database of agricultural literature. Serves Gevgelija, Strumica and Bogdanci. Contact details for "Goce Delcev" Public Library, Gevgelija, are:
Tel: ++389 (0)34 213 366; e-mail: mbadge@soros.org.mk
Other useful websites for Macedonia:
Ministry of Culture: http://www.culture.in.mk/

National and University Library "St. Kliment Ohridski", Skopje: http://www.nubsk.edu.mk/

Reality Macedonia - News and Archive: http://www.realitymacedonia.org.mk/

Moldova
The Centre of Economic Information at the Municipal Library "B.P.Hasdeu"
offers information and documentation in the economic and business area. It is open to all interested persons: economics students, upcoming entrepreneurs, small companies, etc. The Public Libraries in Cahul and Baltic Counties also provide an information service along similar lines. The services provided by the centres are free of charge.
http://www.hasdeu.md/

The Public Law Library, a branch of the municipal library "B..P.Hasdeu", but financed by the Moldova-Soros Foundation and COLPI, focuses its activities on the efficient development of the legal informational framework.

SIBIMOL
A project initiated by the National Library and supported by the Government for creating a national shared catalogue and compiling a database of all libraries in Moldova. The major aim of the program is to create a single information network of libraries and integrate them into the national and global information system by creating open-end information systems.

Netherlands
ADIC (Current Information and Documentation Centre)
An information service for business (and government) instituted as an initiative of the Public Library in Apeldoorn of which it is still part.
http://www.adic.nl

bibliotheek.nl
The virtual library of the Netherlands.
http://www.bibliotheek.nl

New Zealand
Auckland City Libraries
Offers extensive Internet resources: http://www.akcity.govt.nz/library/bis/bussites.html

Wellington City Libraries
Business Tool Box
Designed to provide Wellington business people with easy access to a number of useful websites ranging from specifically Wellington information, to international stock exchanges, including e-commerce, law, trade and company information.
http://www.wcl.govt.nz/popular/businesstoolbox.html

Poland
Local Information Database (LID = BIL - Baza Informacji Lokalnej)
The LID is a service available via Internet. It ensures easy access to information about the Province.
http://www.wojewodztwo-wm.pl/
http://www.bil-wm.pl/main/index.html

The Pomerania Network of Trade and Legal Information Centres
Includes legal information. Highly qualified staff (librarians, economists and lawyers) give users traditional and electronic materials from the field of economy (banking, business, finances, stock-exchange, leasing, money, European Union etc.) and from the fields of civil, commercial and criminal law. http://www.ksiaznica.szczecin.pl/

Spain
Bibliografía salmantina
Bibliography on local subjects included in the FGSR Municipal Library website in Peñaranda de Bracamonte. Compiles all kinds of information in whatever format or carrier; prints, audiovisuals, electronic and digital resources (WebPages in HMTL or PDF and websites)
http://www.fundaciongsr.org/bsalmantina.htm

Diputación de Barcelona Library Department
This central department pays the subscriptions fees of electronic publications (official government bulletins, news, education, medical, and legislation databases) for the libraries of its network to provide information to local businesses.
http://www.diba.es/biblioteques/inici.asp

"Finestra ciutadana" (FIC), Tarragona State Public Library
Community Information System on local topics of interest such as economy, institutions, tourism, administration, etc and local press database. Information about local authors and a gallery of local figures, with bibliographic data, full text and biographies.
http://www.biblio.fut.es/castella/sil.html

Most Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q. Services):
A series of questions and answers on subjects of general interest to users, among which are those mentioned in the Biblioteca Koldo Michelena at San Sebastian. http://www.gipuzkoa.net/kultura/km/ingles/09bibli.htm

United Kingdom
A2A Access to Archives
As part of the national archives network, A2A provides catalogue descriptions of a wide range of archives held throughout England in its database on the main A2A website at www.a2a.pro.gov.uk, so as to make this documentary heritage more easily accessible to everyone. The archives covered by A2A are of national, regional and local importance and date from the 900s to the present. They are held in geographically dispersed archives offices, and many have been comparatively under-recognised in the past.
http://www.pro.gov.uk/archives/A2A/abouta2a.htm

Ask a librarian
The UK's electronic reference library, a shared national service delivered by over 60 library authorities.
http://www.ask-a-librarian.org.uk/

BEASTS Boosting the Economy by Assisting SMEs in the Tourism Sector
A TRIS project which aims to contribute to the economic development of the tourist industry by ensuring that SMEs in rural areas exploit the potential of electronic marketing and awareness of national cultural resources. The target users include farmers and others in the agricultural industry, who need to diversify, and for whom the results of this project would open a new means of livelihood through the tourism and leisure industry.
http://inf2.pira.co.uk/factsheets/inform/digicult/beasts.html

Business information services in UK public libraries
UK public libraries have for many years provided free information services aimed at the business community. Examples of good practice include services such as those of Essex, Westminster, and the City Business Library. Essex Libraries business service (IBIS) runs training courses for business people focussing on business resources available over the Internet.
Essex http://www.essexcc.gov.uk/libraries/ibis/index.html
Westminster http://www.westminster.gov.uk/libraries/special/business.cfm
Stoke http://www.stoke.gov.uk/council/libraries/services/i_business.htm

City Business Library, Corporation of London - includes an example of a fee-based added-value service: Business Information Focus
http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/leisure_heritage/
libraries_archives_museums_galleries/city_london_libraries/cbl.htm

The British Library
Business Information Service
Holds one of the most comprehensive collections of business information in the UK
http://www.bl.uk/services/information/business.html
Patents service http://www.bl.uk/services/information/patents.html

BROADNET
An Internet-based service network for the West Midlands region of the United Kingdom aimed at supporting the regional business community. It provided a number of services ranging from University of Wolverhampton accredited on-line training modules to information at local, regional, national and international levels.http://www.broadnet.co.uk/

Businesslink
An advice service for business run by SBS (Small Business Service)
http://www.businesslink.org/

Co-East
A consortium of 10 public library authorities operating in the East of England region which aims to put in place ICT solutions to enable members of the public to easily obtain resources from libraries across the region, either via computers in libraries or over the Internet.
http://www.co-east.net/

Cornwall Heritage Access Information Network (CHAIN)
An umbrella website for museums and galleries in Cornwall, promoting and enabling on-line access to the collections held by the member museums.
http://www.chain.org.uk/

Essex Libraries
Answers Direct - a general enquiry service accessed by telephone or e-mail.
http://www.essexcc.gov.uk/libraries/askusaquestion/answersdirect.htm

Essex Online: the community portal for Essex
Essex Online represents a partnership of local, regional and national organisations providing information services to the public and is the Essex portal to the larger seamlessUK project enabling people to find the information they need from public sector organisations, including local government, voluntary and community groups.
http://www.seamless.org.uk/essexonline/

FAMILIA
Family history resources held in public libraries in the UK and Ireland. Originally set up under the auspices of EARL.
http://www.familia.org.uk/main.html

Gateshead Libraries
ASAP Live - a general enquiry service where enquirers can talk to a librarian on a chat line. Also uses co-browsing technology to "push" web pages to the enquirer's computer.
http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/libraries/index.html

Hatrics
A group of libraries and companies providing business information in southern England. http://www.hatrics.org.uk/

The Small Business Service (SBS)
An agency within the Department of Trade and Industry defending the interests of small business by developing and maintaining a business support service, championing entrepreneurship particularly in under-represented and disadvantaged groups and minimising the burden of regulation.
http://www.sbs.gov.uk/
Runs Businesslink http://www.businesslink.org/

UK online for Business
Set up to provide an extensive resource for UK companies to find out how information and communication technologies can improve competitiveness.
http://www.ukonlineforbusiness.gov.uk/gateway/home/index.jsp

USA
Special Library Association, Business and Finance division
A general website of business libraries and services in the US is maintained
by the Special Library Association, Business and Finance division:
http://www.slabf.org/buslibs.html

Queensborough Public Library, New York
Provides a 'Job information centre' that maintains a collection of specialized career and education resources including books, periodicals, newspapers, pamphlets, forms and catalogues. The Centres produce the Job Search Resources Series, on-line guides to selected resources in popular careers.
http://www.queenslibrary.org/programs/jic/

New York Public Library
The services of the Science, Industry and Business Library include free training courses for the public.
http://www.nypl.org/research/sibl/

Library of Congress
Provides an ask-a-librarian service with access to a global network.
http://www.loc.gov/rr/digiref/
http://www.questionpoint.org/

Home | Information Services for social and 
economic development (Summary)
Full Text: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4