|
HUNGARY |
PULMAN
COUNTRY report
INFormation
on public libraries
The organisation of public libraries.......................................................... 3
Innovative projects in HUNGARIAN LIbraries............................................ 8
PULMAN COUNTRY Report
information on public libraries
Public libraries in Hungary belong
to local governments. The Library Act of 1997 states that each local government
is responsible in maintaining public libraries, either individual ones and
branches as well.
The 19 county libraries provide
special services, among others so called supply services to city/ town and
village libraries
A survey was carried out in the year
2000 in county and city libraries to assess library activities. The result
shows that libraries are providing a good standard of services. They are ready
and open to changes of the environment and of user needs and seek for better
solutions in serving the public. Professionals working in these libraries are
well prepared and skilled and at the same time they have a nice attitude
towards users, they approach them openly and are ready to devote attention to
their problems and try to find individually tailored solutions.
Problematic areas are mainly in the level of computerisation and related
equipment supply and also in the level of services provided. We can find public
libraries in smaller settlements where automation is only at an initial stage,
while at other places all major library activities are automated, and OPACs are
near completion with retrospective conversion, and databases are developed. Public
libraries at villages struggle the most.
The Library Act of 1997 provides a
state of the art frame for libraries, and allocates funding for library development.
Financial support for authorities has a great importance as it makes local
governments interested in investing and financing public libraries.
Government funding has a great
importance as well. Funding to make institutions interested in their development
is a very positive element of the Library Act.
There are funds allocated for
retarded institutions. This money is mainly used for collection development, so
noticeable change can be observed in the development of reference materials, in
multiple copy purchase and in the purchase of electronic documents.
Main focus of library policy tries
to make it acceptable by society that libraries are basic institutions of
society. In order to maintain this idea, government supports libraries in
different initiatives, such as ICT development, development of electronic content, support of lifelong
learning, and distance education.
In all these positive change and the
shift in professionals attitude, professional bodies, such as the Hungarian
Library Association, the Alliance of Librarians and Information Professionals
and the expert team working in the field of libraries and information science
of the European Council play an important role. Due to their active role a new
funding scheme was introduced supporting local authorities that are willing to
do extra efforts in library development.
It is important to mention, that
libraries form different consortia for different tasks and they prove to be
very successful.
Another initiative is 'Library in
Focus' financed by a government funded professional body, that aims at
developing co-operation among public libraries.
|
PUBLIC LIBRARY STATISTICS IN HUNGARY |
||||
|
|
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
|
Libraries |
2883 |
2775 |
2586 |
2573 |
|
Service
Points |
3518 |
3315 |
3273 |
3132 |
|
Visits |
16501 |
15947 |
16478 |
16560 |
|
Loan
Transactions |
36723 |
35210 |
34899 |
34494 |
|
Book
Stock |
43377 |
43717 |
43355 |
43906 |
|
Book
Additions |
1148 |
1201 |
1141 |
1164 |
|
Interlibrary
Loans(rec) |
44995 |
21633 |
25647 |
29458 |
|
Professional
staff |
3881 |
3927 |
3912 |
5195 |
|
Expenditure |
6331 |
8510 |
8826 |
10926 |
Public libraries have started paying
closer attention to regional and EU activities lately. Along with social
changes local interest have increased and people need and use more local
information, which is more versatile than before.
At present we can say that all
county and major city/town libraries are connected to the Internet, some
services, such as e-mail usage are evident by now. More and more public
libraries are not only using the Internet, but also provide information via
Internet. Lets list some major developments bellow:
Library network among all county
libraries has been established
New skills and new knowledge base is
evident, such as the change in attitude among professionals. Management methods
and technique are widely used.
Information access has been
expanded, both access to information and the ways and means of access grew
rapidly.
Some new libraries have been built
such as at Kecskemét, Kaposvár, and some were renovated and renewed, such as
the Children's Library at Cegléd.
The Szabó Ervin Municipal Library was also
renovated and a wide range reconstruction was carried out at the once Wenckheim
Palace. This reconstruction effected not only the appearance of the building
but a total renewal of services and activities, as well. This renewal brought a
whole new system of library services and supply for the capital.
Library development and strategic
planning in Hungary are according to the European Committee guidelines.
Development incorporates the total
institutional organisational setup of public collections and the library system
is considered as an important part of it.
The ICT network of public
collections are according to European standards or norms.
Great effort is given to provide
sufficient local systems and equipment for national co-operation.
Fund allocation for maintaining and
developing ITC in public libraries
Development of the national document
supply (ODR) extension of it to electronic resources, development of a common
interface for OPACs
Content development of electronic
information
Introduction of a national TQM
system
Marketing and PR strategies for
libraries and the establishment of a fruitful relationship between libraries
and the media.
The most important task of the near
future is joining the European Union. Its major impact on libraries can be
foreseen as a heavier demand on libraries and the change in user behaviour.
Constant change is required in
education as well, which means modernisation and incorporation of new
technology and innovation into library and information science education. A
shift is required from theory to practice, so development of skills has to have
a greater emphasise and new methods of learning have to be introduced as well.
It is vital for libraries' future to have their share in cyberspace and
to be present on the net as part of the international community, at the same
time presenting national and regional values and the unique features of this
part of the world.
Ministry of National Cultural Heritage: http://www.nkom.hu/
Hungarian Library Association: http://www.mke.oszk.hu/
Hungarian Library Institute: http://www.ki.oszk.hu/
Alliance of Libraries and Information
Institutes: http://www.vein.hu/library/iksz/
Hungarian National Library: http://www.oszk.hu/
Database of Hungarian Libraries, Museums and
Archives:
http://www.neumann-haz.hu/cgi-bin/webkat?session=1647854207&infile=KH_page.html&tip=ossz
Library Information in Hungary: http://www.mek.oszk.hu/porta/virtual/magyar/opac.htm
In the past few years several
initiatives were launched that can be considered as important stage in the
development of public libraries.
Lets see some examples:
'Together' - a nationwide library support programme
It has the aim to draw the attention
of the whole society to libraries, showing what it can do for its citizens and
how important basic institution it is in our changing society.
'Library of the Year' application
It has the aim to support new
management initiatives in public libraries, focuses at new services and new
solutions and also seeks for positive and active relationship between libraries
and the media.
'Internet Fiesta' - a yearly event
A flow of programmes that bring
Internet use close to the public. The Szabó Ervin Municipal Library and many
county libraries take part in this project to publicise the close connection
between Internet and libraries.
'Year of Literacy'
A nationwide programme that aimed at
reading, understanding and cultural values. Many public libraries organised
different programmes and a series of programmes for their users and non-users.
Publica Hungary
This programme aims at organising
and running service development programmes, focuses at new services of public
interest.
'Year of Public Libraries'
Action programme organised for the
first time aimed at marketing public libraries and their services, focused at
gaining local authorities for supporting their libraries.
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