The organisation of public
libraries.......................................................... 3
Innovative projects in UKRAINIAN
public libraries.............................. 4
PULMAN COUNTRY Report
information on public libraries
The
Public Library system in the Netherlands consists of three layers of library
services related to three levels of government, serving 15.6 million
inhabitants. The central government remains responsible for quality,
innovation, co-ordination and efficiency of the national system of public
libraries, while the provincial authorities are accountable for support
services to the local libraries and the municipalities are responsible for the
realisation of the local library services.
Local
level
At the local level, about 1057 public libraries (505 with 552 branches)
are financially supported by local authorities. Following the general tendency in Western
administration, the responsibility for public libraries was decentralised to
the provincial and municipal authorities under a new, Social Welfare Law in
1987, primarily an administrative measure which regulated funding.
Most of the 489 communities have a library or mobile service (90 buses
in total). A large part of mostly smaller libraries, is associated with the 9
Provincial Library Centres (in Dutch: Provinciale Bibliotheek Centrale, - PBC) and have a full service contract; other libraries buy some
of these regional services, including mobile services.
It is noteworthy that most public libraries are
private foundations and not part of the local or council services. They are
nevertheless mainly (78-80%) funded by public means and as such public
institutions accessible to all. Local libraries seek increasingly partnerships
in the community, be they in the social, educational or cultural field. New
services cannot be created without co-operation and a broad vision on users’
needs. Local libraries can benefit from similar agreements on national and
regional level.
Provincial Level
There are
12 provinces (ranging from 400.000 to 2,5 million inhabitants). At the
provincial level, the provincial government subsidises PBCs. The PBC’s are not
open to the public but are library service and facility centres in which a
number of library functions are concentrated and specialised. They are a
service organisation for the libraries in the province. As provinces differ in
traditions and structures, the PBCs are not the same, they even have different
names and have recently undergone major changes, for example merging with a
city library (Groningen,Zeeland), merging with another PBC (Noord/Zuid-Holland)
or a network owned provincial service (Overijssel).
According
to law in force, the Cultural Policy Act 1994, Provincial Library Centres are
organisations which form a provincial network together with local libraries. In
order to promote coherence at a provincial level, agreements on fundamental
aspects are necessary; for example, union catalogue, interlibrary loan,
supplementary collections, specific groups, computerisation, school library
work, co-operation with cultural and educational organisations and institutions
and the supply of services and products of the Provincial Library Centre.
The
PBC-services include: management and consultancy; supply and support of staff,
organisation development; support of media selection and promotion of reading;
acquisition and letting out of media; information and retrieval services,
interlibrary loan; research and innovation; computerisation, digital networks;
mobile services; expedition and printing services. Other institutions than
public libraries can use the services of the PBC, for example schools,
educational institutions and nursing-homes.
PBCs
offer a catalogue of all products and services they provide, with an annual
price list. Agreements between a library and the PBC on the supply of services
are written in a contract. The PBC works as an organisation for general and
(library) technical services. A differentiated offer of products and services
is developed in close co-operation with the local libraries. With regard to
policies, local libraries are mostly represented on the board of the PBC, which
supports their interests and enables them to formulate common policy. User
groups, consisting of local libraries, discuss the products and service of the
PBC. Other marketing instruments are also used to restyle products and to
innovate services. . The most important innovation in provincial library policy
is the application of information and communication technology (ICT) in library
services. Co-ordination and facilities are especially valuable in a digital
infrastructure.
Public
libraries which have ceded their management to the PBC, have a qualified
regional manager and the PBC serves as central employer of the staff.
Innovations in staff policy and training can be executed organisation-wide. A
number of practical training courses is offered, for example on management,
marketing, exhibitions, presentations, promotion of reading, information
technology, services to special groups etc.
In the
seventies a group of 13 public libraries started to receive extra funding in
order to buy and provide popular academic literature and other related services
to users in the region. (WSF). This was to unburden the workload of university
libraries. These libraries have developed various forms of mutual cooperation,
especially in the field of innovation and collection development. After
decentralisation, they are part of the library services at the provincial
level.
National
level
Most
national tasks in the public library field are delegated to and performed by
NBLC, the Netherlands Public Library Association.. The state subsidises NBLC,
for maintaining and improving the public library network, including tasks for
professional quality, innovation, IT, reading promotion and a central lending
facility for foreign languages (5,022 million Euro). NBLC develops programmes
and runs projects on innovative library services, develops policies and
programmes for new library challenges. NBLC also offers consultancy and
supervision (as paid services) and a Knowledge/Resource center.
Central library information services are performed by Biblion Ltd (a
former department of the NBLC Association) and Netherlands Library Service
(NBD, a non-profit library supply foundation established by booksellers,
publishers and public libraries in 1970) which have merged into NBD/Biblion in
Leidschendam in 2001.
There is
a well-established delivery service for government and public information via a
national distribution system performed by NBD/Biblion and the provincial
library centres (PBC’s). Twice a week all libraries can receive information,
(interlibrary loan) books, media, exhibitions and material via this system.
National campaigns are also using this distribution system to reach a large
audience.
NBLC and NBD have set up a joint centre for
IT-expertise, LAURENS, to speed up innovation and IT-implementation in the
library field. which will run the new library portal: bibliotheek.nl and
further IT-projects.
The
public libraries mainly derive their bibliographic data from NBD/Biblion
directly or via their provincial library centre. PBC's have a catalogue of
their central collections, often also including the local holdings. Or they
have a central online portal to give access to the local catalogues.
FOBID
The
library organisations have established a formal umbrella organisation called
FOBID Federation of Organisations in the field of Library, Information and
Documentation. The Board of the Foundation is formed by representatives of
NBLC, Netherlands Public Library Association, NVB (Netherlands Librarians
Association) UKB (Co-operation of University Libraries and National/Royal
Library) and the Royal Library itself. Four committees cover items of mutual
interest: Legal matters (especially Copyright and EU-Directives), Professional
Education, Bibliographic Matters and the Netherlands IFLA Committee. The
general secretariat is executed by NBLC's Bureau for Research and International
Affairs.
Public
Library services and co-operation
The
development of public libraries rests on a long tradition of library service,
co-operating at national, provincial and local level. The public library can be
described as a national public service, manifested in the local community. The
Provincial Library Centres have created strong networks of smaller libraries.
In most provinces increasing co-operation between the PBC-network and city libraries
takes place, although at different paces. Public libraries on the one hand
expect national direction from NBLC for support, new services, implementation
of new technology, staff development and advice on policy matters. But Dutch
public libraries are on the other hand allergic to central solutions and
authority. NBLC follows a strategy of facilitating, guidance and discussion,
rather than imposing central solutions or presenting blue prints. General
support for library policies and agreements on a voluntary basis are the
pillars on which the public library networks rests.
All types
of material are represented in Dutch public libraries. There is no definition
of a public library in the current law, consequently no obligation to provide
specific materials. But the NBLC Statute of the Public Libraries (1990) does
refer to ‘all types of materials and sources’. Most of the materials are books,
an increasing number 5-10% is audio-visual materials, including dvd and
software. Educational toys and talking books are not always present, depending
on arrangement with libraries for the blind/publishers.
Services
in public information and societal information from government and social
agencies are growing. A broad programme was launched in 1998, including health information
and career information. These services are now supported by digital sources.
Based on shared cataloguing, guided by the
National/Royal Library, a Netherlands Central Catalogue has been established,
run by Pica. The NCC is used as the central database for input and output of
titles including the central database of public library titles generated by
Biblion), and is the base for the interlibrary loan system among the academic
and special libraries, including the regional support libraries (13 city
libraries) which have added their holdings to the database. Pica started as a
non-profit centre for academic libraries and is now an ltd, taken over by OCLC.
Interlibrary loan between the public library
sector and other types of libraries is regulated on a voluntary basis, but
facilitated through the automated NCC/IBLsystem (run by Pica). Exchanges
between NBLC and Royal Library staff show an increased interest in co-operation
in the field of digital services (reference desk, services to schools, digitisation
projects, virtual library) and support service to public libraries and their
target groups.
Funding
At the
local level public libraries are financially supported by local authorities, on
average up to 80%. Municipalities and Provinces receive a retribution from the
Municipal resp. Provincial Fund. These budgets are not earmarked for public
library services. The library board has to present and defend its annual budget
proposal before the municipal council. If possible, three or four year
agreements are made to safeguard continuity and successive investments. In
addition, 15% of income is through users (membership and overdue fees) and 5%
through other paid activities like courses and lectures.
On the
local and provincial level, the library organisations may seek extra funds for
additional tasks or for fulfilling tasks for other institutions or in
municipal/provincial projects (special target groups, educational support,
information service to the municipality administration). They may also seek
funds from Foundation Reading (set up by NBLC, booksellers and publishers
associations) for reading promotion projects.
In spite
of the Library Charter (see below), the free-of charge principle is almost
forgotten or hardly maintained, apart from free access to the library space,
and reading print materials on the spot. There is, with a small exception for
children, no central legislation or regulation, so a variety of tariffs and
models is used (leisure park, annual fair or newspaper model). Library boards,
very often obliged by the municipalities, set up tariffs. Apart from that,
lending right as part of copy right has been implemented in legislation. It
means that public libraries are charged for lending media and have to pay a sum
annually based on the number of borrowed items. Very few libraries pay these
extra lending costs out of their budget; very few municipalities are willing to
compensate for these extra costs, so generally speaking, the users are charged
extra.
For
borrowing books or using the Internet, patrons generally speaking are charged.,
even apart from lending rights. In general, the fee for borrowing materials is
an annual contribution, in average 20 Euro, but in all varieties: with a larger
sum for extra items or for including all kinds of items. Users often have to
pay per loan for audio-visual materials (1,5 - 3 Euro), in some cases even for
books (0,20 Euro). Children are mostly exempted from paying for borrowing
books, but the age at which they have to start to pay is gradually lowered,
sometimes even starting at twelve years. The municipality has to take the
decision whether children can be charged. Their fee should, according to the
law, not exceed half of the adults' fee.
Following
tariff policies, in 9 out of 10 cases the public's use of Internet is not free.
The average fee is 0,68 Euro for a quarter of an hour. In 20% of the cases,
libraries offer some sites for free; this mostly (75%) concerns public and
government information. A Handbook on Media-education with examples of best
practice has been published by NBLC.
PBC’s are
financed by the provincial authority, mostly on the basis of a long-range plan.
The provincial subsidies are used for the execution of provincial tasks and
also for maintaining the building, the staff of central services and
maintenance of the PBC. The PBC also gains income, because a part of the costs
for the products and services, which are undertaken in co-operation with the
local libraries, is passed on to the local libraries. Which costs are passed on
for which services differs somewhat according to provincial policy. Provinces
can also decide how and how much they fund the special academic regional
support function, which is attached to 13 major public libraries (WSF). Before
decentralisation, these libraries received each a state subsidy of 180.000 Euro
a year for regional tasks.
In the
budget of the Ministry for Education, Culture and Science, only funds for
national library tasks are included (Longterm plan 2001-2004):
·
NBLC 5,022 million Euro
·
Library
for Seafarers 0,533 million Euro
·
Libraries
for the Blind 11,887 million Euro
The annual budgets are based on a four-year
policy plan, adopted by the Parliament. NBLC's national tasks include: quality
care, innovation, professionalism, central foreign language collection and IT.
For
various projects from national schemes: National Action Plan Electronic
Highways, (connecting public libraries to Internet), portal site and content
creation (NAP II and III), digital content on literature, children's books,
reading promotion; Connecting to AudioVisual Archives; E-Culture;
(Education/KnowledgeNet), NBLC /the public library sector has received about 30
million Euro in recent years.
Extra
national funding is sought and found in smaller and larger projects including
for IT-implementation, often on the condition that NBLC is involved in the
project and that results of the project are turned into models for wider use by
other public libraries. There is no formal way of seeking financial support or
project money from NBLC. For the content of Bibliotheek.nl NBLC increasingly
involves local libraries and PBC’s in content projects.
For its
association work (advocacy, promotion, representation, licensing, research)
NBLC receives membership income from all public libraries (0,4 million Euro).
NBLC is the representative and negotiates on behalf of the public libraries
about the Public Lending Rights Scheme.
Professional development
In the
period between 1994 and 2000 the NBLC Association carried out some research
projects on the professional practice of librarians in the public libraries.
The following groups can be discerned amongst those who work in public
libraries:
·
office
workers (clerical staff) or non-library educated employees
·
professional
staff, divided in two levels of education:
·
librarian
with education on hbo-level (hbo=higher professional education)
·
librarian
with education on mbo-level (mbo= medium professional education)
·
management:
library directors are mainly recruited outside the library sector. This process
started with the provincial library centres in the eighties and continues in
the bigger city libraries. It seems to extend to average city libraries. Their
background can be in municipal departments, academic researchers (psychology,
history, law) and policy makers, health and welfare sector. More seldom they
come from the profit sector.
The
general library education (HBO) is offered by five professional schools which
are larger educational (polytechnic) institutions in which former library
schools have merged. There is no library education at academic level, except
for 'documentary information' and ‘communication science’. A private
institution, formerly set up by library organisations, offers various training
modules, mainly for special and academic professionals (GO).
Librarianship
training programmes include:
·
A four
years HBO-training information service and information management
·
A two
years MBO-training employee information service and libraries
·
A
three 3 years academic training Information Science at the University of
Amsterdam
·
Part-time
training and courses at different levels from individual training institutes.
From which professional groups are library directors recruited?
Courses
and training related to the library branch and staff development are organised
by the NBLC (Netherlands Public Library Association) in general, although the
provincial library centres (PBCs) and some training institutes do organise
courses and training as well. The branch-formula is to spend 3% of the annual
turnover on staff training. The NBLC Course Bureau develops courses on new
items and for sector wide implementation. Beginning in 2003, NBLC organises a
one-year management course in cooperation with the Business University
Nijenrode. Courses are sold for in-company training or regional implementation.
Increasingly,
clerical staff are trained on a middle library level to execute various routine
library functions, including desk services. An official education programme
(medium professional education, MBO) has now been accepted and adopted for
financing by the Ministry of Education and has started in September 2002 in two
locations.
In order
to support the development of similar local services and activities, the NBLC
presents a branch-wide programme including activities in the fields of: Quality
systems, Professional training, Communication and promotion, Research,
International exchange, National partnerships and IT services. Staff
recruitment and training have become crucial as 10-15% staff will retire in the
coming decade, while hardly any students from the higher professional library
education apply. A Staff Strategy Plan for the public library sector will be
implemented.
By virtue of the collective labour agreement, employers have to draw up a plan for training possibilities and career policy for their employees, focused on their present and future position in and out of the institute. NBLC and WOB trades union members adopted a policy Paper for Strategic staff planning and a common plan of action 2001-2004 in June 2001. A committee for labour market problems has been established, financial support from the ESF, Equal programme has been found. One of the issues is the set up of a centre of expertise for staff and organisational development related to IT-effects, now called: LAURENZO. Methods, instruments and people will converge in this national centre and work in co-operation with experts.
Government policy
The
government started to stress the double role of public libraries in the field
of public information services in its long-term plan 1997-2000 for the cultural
sector: giving a broader audience access to public information, but also to
guide citizens in getting acquainted with new technologies, applied in modern
society.
The
government policy was also expressed in the National Action Plan Electronic
Highway in which libraries are considered to have a central position in the
concept of 'universal reach' and should serve as easy access points to
electronic services. In order to fulfil this role, all public libraries were
connected to the internet by 2000, realising the project: 'Government, an open
book'.
The
government policy is to invest in new infrastructure for libraries and support
IT-projects. The public library sector itself has draw up a long-term plan
related to infrastructure, implementation of new technology, development of new
services, realising the virtual library in connection with the physical local
library. Increasingly, the focus is also on investments in staff development.
In order
to facilitate co-operation, the Minister asked for advice. The Meijer-report Open gateway to knowledge (April 2000)
recommended a new structure for the public libraries, based on
‘base’-libraries, improved infrastructure, support services, co-operation
between governmental levels, quality control system and IT impulses leading to
new virtual services. The transformational process will last 4 years and total
costs are estimated to rise from 926 to 1233 million guilders. Through
cost-effectiveness of the network of base libraries, the number of staff is
estimated to increase with 17%, opening hours increase as well. Stocks can be
improved. The average costs per inhabitant will grow from: 26 to 33 Euro, based
on 80% subsidy, this will require an extra subsidy of 5,6 Euro per inhabitant
from all three government levels together. The main funding has still to be
found.
All
government levels have agreed to cooperate in the restructuring of library
service, and signed an agreement in December 2001. As a consequence, a
Governmental Library Consult Group has been set up, for supporting the new
Process Bureau (budget 680.000 Euro a year) to facilitate library co-operation,
service improvement, staff training and IT-impulses. 5,5 million Euro is
available for the first start. NBLC serves as adviser on the programmes and has
entered into a close cooperation with the Project Bureau for Library Modernisation
‘Bibliotheekvernieuwing’. (www.bibliotheekvernieuwing.nl)
The
Process Bureau aims at clarifying the basic concept of the Meijer- report: the
Basic Library Organisation, and facilitates local and regional attempts to
cooperation. The role of provincial library centres is somewhat unclear and
undergoing changes. In general, all provinces create their own variation of
networking and library support service.
Cultural
Council
Policies
related to the Public library Sector are formulated under the Ministry of
Education, Culture and Science. Since 1987, when national funds and
responsibilities were decentralized, limited scope remains for central policy
making. An official advisory task is performed by the Cultural Council, which
includes a small committee on library matters. Advice is given on request and
on a voluntary basis: Future library structure, Cyberpolis, constitutional
rights.
Netherlands Public library
strategy plans 1995-2005
Decentralisation prompted the need for renewed
legitimisation and profiling of the public library at the local level. At the
same time, the public library sector as a whole had to argue and present the
importance of the public library in modern society. The basic principles were
laid down by the Charter for the Public
Library, a sector-supported statement based on the UNESCO/IFLA Public
Library Manifesto. The statement was followed by NBLC Strategy Papers.
On the road to 2005 (1995), outlined the future image of the
public library as the centre of information, culture and education. In this new
paradigm, public library services are extended and adapted to the new media,
electronic resources and digital services. The information function is strongly
reinforced. Services have to become demand-focused. The library must seek new
partners and alliances with social groups and institutions in order to
establish an efficient public information service with a large network. Key
words for action became: reinforcement of the branch structure, marketing and
innovation of products.
The
Strategic Plan was updated on the occasion of the new Cultural Plan of the
Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, 2001-2004. The NBLC presented its
long-term plan under the title ‘Public Square’ [Plein Publiek]. The
image of the public or open square is used to draw attention to the public and
the broad function of the public library. The square encompasses three circles
of activities: information, culture and education and relates them to each
other in a unique way. The three roads of information, culture and education
converge in the library square. It not only supports these domains but has its
own role and added value. This ‘extended library’ enlarges the cultural range
of activities and the social reach of library services. The library is a
reliable partner of the local government, public and private institutions.
The
library user can enter the Public Square in two ways: physically by visiting
the local library and virtually by logging into the virtual public library. The
local and the national (virtual) services compliment each other. A number of
actions are detailed in relation to the three domains: the information square,
the education square and the culture square. Each of the action lines is illustrated
by examples.
The main
strategic plans are now based on further development of the library portal and
strategic partnerships for content and value added services. Other programmes
such as reading promotion, lifelong learning and children’s services are part
of innovation strategies.
Legislation
The
present legislation about public libraries is limited. The legal framework is
the Act on Specific Cultural Policy, adopted in 1993, amended 1994.
There are only two articles which refer to public libraries. This legislation
no longer guarantees the existence, identity and values of public libraries,
including free access and freedom of membership charges, at least for children,
but has become instrumental to politics and cultural policy. In order to support
co-operation between the various levels of authorities the Act prescribes a
division of tasks and the necessity to make arrangements and agreements, also
with other sectors of education, culture and information.
The Act
contains the following principal points:
Article
11a is concerned with the contribution fee of young people.
"For
the loan of printed materials from the public libraries to persons below 18
years of age, a fee or other financial fee is required, if the provincial
authority or the local authority, which maintains the public library, has
decided to do so. The fee or financial contribution can only be half of the
contribution fee which is required from persons of 18 years and older."
Article
11b is concerned with the efforts of the authorities at the national,
provincial and local level to promote co-operation among public libraries.
1. Our Minister, the provincial authorities and
the local authorities promote that a provision of public library services
maintained by them participates in the interlibrary loan with other provisions
of library services and that networks are formed, according to what is
established in this article. (….)
(Paraphrase)
A local network consists of public libraries financed or maintained by the
local authority. a provincial network consists of a provincial library centre
and the local networks in the areas of its activities; the national network
consists of the national provisions of library services and the provincial
networks.
The
formation of a network consist at least in making agreements, confirm them in
written documents and co-operate in the execution of them as far as the
financing authorities have put means at disposal, on: collection, central
catalogue, acquisition, services to specific groups, automation, public
government information.
Local and
provincial networks should also co-operate in the field of education of a local
or a School library services; co-operation with cultural and educational
institutions; and, in the case of a provincial network also on provincial
services, services to higher professional education or adult education and the
eligible aspects of regional cultural and welfare policy; including the
services which the provincial library centre will execute for the public
libraries, which are financed or maintained by local authorities.“
History
It was not until 1921 that state
responsibility for public libraries was acknowledged and `Conditions for
Government Grants' were formulated. These stated that the state would grant the
same amount when local government provided subsidy, related to the number of
inhabitants. However, public libraries were forced to require contribution from
users/members. The higher the number of inhabitants, the lower the
state-granted subsidy. Therefore there was a slow development of branches and
no special funds for children's services until 1956. Towns and cities were
gradually reasonably well provided with library facilities but services in
rural areas lagged far behind.
The
Public libraries Act of 1975 was primarily concerned with planned, structural expansion of services,
although standards of staff, media and opening hours never reached their
intended establishment. Draft-standards had, however, a normative effect on new
library developments. The number of libraries rose sharply, particularly in
rural areas, due to the activities of the Provincial Library Centres (PBC's),
which had the legal task to support libraries in municipalities under 30.000
inhabitants. Large numbers of new users joined, notably young people were
exempt from membership charges. Both government and local authorities made the
expansion possible by an increase of subsidies to libraries.
The
Library Act recognised the public library as a basic service; its quality had
to be guaranteed by the government. The financing of the public libraries was
the common responsibility of the state, provinces and local authorities. The
state financed 100% of staff costs and 20% of other costs. 80% of the other
costs had to be provided for by the local government or, - in the case of
smaller communities < 30.000 inhabitants - by the province. Libraries in
these smaller communities had to sign a service contract with the PBC in order
to receive subsidy. The PBC's offered management, (financial) administration,
automation, mobile services, block loans, collections and inter-library loan,
expertise and training, and most of all: the staff of the local libraries was
part of the PBC-organisation. The local authorities and the provinces supported
the explosion of new libraries with funding for collections and buildings, but
the State could not cope with adequate funding for staff. Many plans for new
libraries therefore had to wait.
Following
the general tendency in Western administration, the responsibility for public libraries
was decentralised to the provincial and municipal authorities under a new,
Social Welfare Law, 1987. This was primarily an administrative measure
which regulated funding for all kinds of institutions and provisions in the
field of social welfare. The main part of the state subsidy (210 million
guilders) was transferred - after serious budget cuts (!) -to the Local
Government Fund, a smaller part, 40 million guilders, to the Provincial Fund.
The central government remained responsible for quality, innovation,
co-ordination and efficiency of the national system of public libraries - a
task performed by NBLC - while the provincial authorities were accountable for
support services to the local libraries - a task performed by the PBC's which
also continued the management and administration of smaller libraries - and the
municipalities were responsible for the realisation of the local library
services.
Most
public libraries have remained private foundations and are not part of the
local government or council services. But they are not private enterprises.
They are mainly (78%) funded by public means and as such public institutions
accessible to all. In order to support the co-operation between the various
levels of authorities, the Act prescribes a division of tasks and the necessity
to make arrangements and agreements, also with other sectors of education,
culture and information.
Legislation
on Public Lending Right
In the
Copyright Act, a new regulation has been included (in force since 1996)
regarding the remuneration which the public libraries have to pay for
exercising lending rights, as effect of the EU Directive on Lending Rights. The
amount is set through negotiations in which the Public Library Association
participates, increasing from 10 million Euro upwards , based on 0,10 Eurocent
per loan to 2005, with inflation-correction added since 2003. Remuneration has
to be paid for books, video, CD, DVD (0,23 Euro with 0,68 Euro extra for hits),
CD-rom and CD-I (0,45 Euro). is under discussion Dutch and foreign authors, but
mainly publishers are benefiting from the Lending Right. University and
Research Libraries have their lending rights paid by the Ministry of Education,
Culture and Science, under which also the public libraries resort. The way in
which the public libraries deal with their payments differs; either they pay
the amount (becoming 0,10 Euro per loan) themselves, which is an implicit
budget cut, or they charge the library users extra. Loans by children are
included in the final remuneration, but some libraries have requested adults to
pay a solidarity sum. Evaluation has taken place at the end of 2002 and showed
an decreased in number of borrowed items, especially where lending rights were
charged separately.
Constitutional
Rights
Consultation
recently took place on necessary changes in the Constitution, especially the
articles on freedom of information, including access to (government)
information. But the focus was mainly on the role of the public broadcasting
organisations, rather than libraries. The Cultural Council has pleaded for a
reference to libraries in this respect, to safeguard access to the public
information domain.
Forms
of Self regulation: Covenants
The
general tendency is to use forms of (self) regulation instead of legislation. In
the field of government, covenants are a frequently used format, also for the
cultural sector. But libraries are not necessarily included in these cultural
covenants, which interpret 'culture' (in the broad sense) very often as arts
(culture in a more narrow sense). The three government levels formulated a
covenant on co-operation and support for the public library network, signed 20
December 2001.
Charter
The
public library sector itself has also created forms of self-regulation. In
absence of a real Library Act, a Charter for the Public Library (based on the
UNESCO/IFLA Public Library Manifesto was adopted by NBLC-members in 1990. The
existence of public libraries is an accepted fact in Dutch society;
nevertheless the organisations which represented their interests felt that the
time had come to define the ideals of public libraries and their role in the
community in the form of a charter. The Charter does not mean to be a
satisfactory replacement for legislation. Proper legislation will still be
advocated as the only way of safeguarding the identity, democratic role and
quality of public libraries. On 13 December 1990, at a meeting of NBLC, Dutch
public libraries unanimously decided to adopt the charter as the basis for
their activities and to make it available to society.' The Charter contains 15
articles referring to basic principles of collections, access, networking,
legislation, professional staff, funding, target groups, rights of users and
international aspects. With regard to legislation it claims library legislation
in a modest way.
Sector-agreements
- NBLC
A
follow-up are the so-called sector-wide agreements (branch-formules) to
guarantee the quality of the network and the library services. Propositions are
discussed and agreed upon in the NBLC annual assembly of all public libraries.
Adopted formulas include: level of services, standards on digital information,
professionalism in services, common marketing and promotion. New agreements are
presented on Quality care, and standards for library systems. (See: Key
standards and guidelines)
Collective
Labour Agreements
Public libraries have mainly the legal format of non-profit private
foundations, which are subsidised by the municipalities. The library board is
the formal representative of the library organisation and therefore the
employers of the library staff. The employers of libraries have established
their own association WOB) which deals with representatives of trade unions to
formulate and adopt a collective labour agreements (CAO) for all their library
staff for one or two years. The library boards are generally represented by
their library directors. The number of staff, which are members of a trade
union (there are two or three to chose from) is very low. The CAO does not
apply to library staff working in a public library, which is a part of the
municipal administration (mainly the big cities). Recently, a new article in
the CAO was adopted, which aims at reducing the number of volunteers still
working in some public libraries on core functions.
Central
Bureau for Statistics (CBS) is the official authority for all national
statistics, but due to staff and funding problems, enormous delays have been
created. NBLC has now made official arrangements with CBS and the libraries to
perform the task of drawing up the general public library statistics.
Procedures are improved. Better results are expected in 2002.
Groups of
city libraries draw up some of their own statistics which give a broader
indication of their services. In general, the statistics are not checked on
compliance with international standards. The general statistics drawn up by CBS
for 1998 are still very limited. More figures have been composed by IOO in an
attempt to estimated effects of restructuring the library sector. (IOO report
2001)
|
|
|
|
|
1995 |
1998 |
1999* |
2000* |
|
Number of service points |
605 |
551 |
513 |
505 |
|||
|
Number of organisations |
|
1.151 |
1.115 |
1.052 |
1.057 |
||
|
Number of Provincial Library Centres |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
|||
Number of users
|
(*1000) |
|
4.549 |
4.484 |
4.236 |
4.210 |
|
|
|
Of which youth until 18 years |
2.152 |
2.108 |
1.999 |
1.989 |
||
|
|
Of which older than 18 years |
2.397 |
2.376 |
2.237 |
2.221 |
||
|
Total collection items |
(*1000) |
|
44.229 |
40.994 |
38.949 |
39.291 |
|
|
|
Of which books for adults |
26.534 |
23.315 |
22.263 |
22.287 |
||
|
|
Of which books for youth |
14.491 |
12.488 |
12.771 |
12.724 |
||
|
|
Of which audio-visual/dvd |
2.339 |
2.175 |
2.186 |
2.215 |
||
|
|
others** |
|
865 |
810 |
821 |
720 |
|
|
Number of loans |
(*1000) |
|
179.566 |
167.384 |
159.815 |
149.530 |
|
|
|
Of which books for adults |
100.599 |
85.289 |
79.362 |
76.053 |
||
|
|
Of which books for youth |
65.643 |
59.101 |
55.642 |
53.544 |
||
|
|
Of which audiovisual dvd |
6.345 |
5.977 |
6.417 |
6.628 |
||
|
|
others** |
|
2.122 |
1.323 |
1.572 |
1.156 |
|
|
*Preliminary
figures |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
**Excl.
Magazines and subjects in small graphic items |
|
|
|
|
|||
Source: NBLC Kenniscentrum, December
2002
The
government supports the implementation of IT in libraries. At the end of 2000
all public libraries were connected to the Internet, giving access to public
and government information, made possible through the Project: 'The Government,
an open book'. Through a national investment scheme all public libraries are
connected to the Internet and have one or more PC's for public access, and as
workstations. Workstation terminals are available both for users and library
staff. Some 3000 administrative workers and 3000 library-technical staff were
trained for front office support or maintenance and management of multimedia
PC's and networks, and for giving media-education to various user groups, especially
the elderly, (minority) women, and the unemployed.
The
upgrading process is furthermore supported through national projects for the
virtual library linking nationally held content with local websites and
sources. There is no scheme for conversion of data for public libraries on a
national level, but some projects test additional conversion of sources, e.g.
for video streaming, use of broadband networks, connection to museums etc.
Bibliotheek.nl: an ordinary library
Bibliotheek.nl
(library.nl) is the virtual public
library of the Netherlands – the product of the joint efforts of Dutch public
libraries, coordinated by the NBLC Association. This Internet site provides
access to a user-friendly, digital library collection. The primary target group
of bibliotheek.nl consists of end-users, i.e. the library members and visitors
who will visit the website both at home and in the actual library building. The
virtual public library will be built on as would an ordinary library, but
traditional library functions will be fulfilled in a new manner. The tracking,
collecting and arranging of a collection of media by the librarian, the
possibility to access and present media and subsequently distribute the
information – all this is done on the Internet using effective, user-friendly
computer software. Both the software and the Internet make it possible to
present a wide range of information in an integrated fashion, regardless of
time and place. Furthermore, the information can be geared to individual user
requirements by means of user profiles. In this way, bibliotheek.nl combines
not only the know-how and specialist expertise of many Dutch public libraries,
but also that of a number of selected partners.
All this is made possible by co-operation and joint
purchasing of content. Bibliotheek.nl is the national platform on which the
library network is forged. Co-ordinated from a national base, the library
organisations throughout the country flesh out the various constituent parts of
the bibliotheek.nl organisation, thus creating a new network organisation that
fits the virtual options. This network works on a decentralised basis, close to
the customer, and assists in editing the various parts of bibliotheek.nl. A
network consisting of domain and target group specialists who jointly form a
strong alliance in order to provide highly divergent solutions and services. A
strong, committed network of locally anchored, enterprising (basic) libraries.
This ensures a low-threshold, total product, a public domain that is available
24 hours a day, offering:
·
important, reliable,
independent digital collections, that can also be accessed from home;
·
access to national
catalogues: a link between the physical library and the digital library;
·
major services such as the
digital information desk ‘Al@din’;
·
meta-index: high-quality
local and national databases that can be searched simultaneously.
The end-users of
bibliotheek.nl are the Dutch public. However, certain services are only
intended for members of public libraries. The following services are relevant
to end-users:
·
The catalogue: meta-index
A
unique and innovative aspect of bibliotheek.nl is the joint catalogue, the
meta-index. It offers both old and trusted as well as new search methods that
link up with present-day Internet access. The catalogue gives access to all joint collections, both the digital
and the shared physical collections, integrated and simultaneous. This mix
satisfies the requirements of both existing and new target groups, offering
them a large degree of self-reliance.
·
Al@din
The
‘information’ button leads visitors to the ‘Al@din’ digital information desk.
The librarian at the digital information desk offers active assistance in
searching and finding information. A network of support workers from front and
back offices in the library arena provide rapid, high-quality support.
Alliances with other specialised providers of information and advice in the
public domain ensure efficiency, effectiveness and quality.
·
Media education
For
the purpose of enhancing and developing digital search skills, bibliotheek.nl
should offer extensive, wide-ranging features in the area of ‘media education’
and ‘information skills’. This entails working closely with the education
sector to ensure that large groups of citizens are and can remain self-reliant
in our information society. Bibliotheek.nl is the focal point where joint,
high-quality programmes are maintained, developed and kept available.
·
Language and reading
The
library has always been language- and literature-based, a place for reading.
Together with its natural allies, it contributes to the literacy and erudition
of society. Bibliotheek.nl is acquiring a leading position in the digital
literary domain. A choice selection of joint reading and language development
programmes supports dynamic local and regional library programmes in this area.
·
User participation; user community
The
‘interactive’ function offers end-users a number of possibilities: online
participation in the digital public library by taking part in a discussion forum,
a theme-based community, and information and cultural domains; making
information available oneself; or being involved with one’s own knowledge
background. In the future, this function will make it possible to customise
service provision according to the requirements of individual users, to
generate personal notification services in order to create forms of
mijnbibliotheek.nl (mylibrary.nl). Once individual requirements and profiles
are known, users can influence the development of the joint digital library at
national level.
As a
continuation of increasing library services to primary and secondary
education, and vocational education, a virtual school library project has
been initiated: www.schoolmediatheek.nl.
This portal site includes information sources on literature, culture and media
education for writing papers and giving talks on various subjects. Relevant
non-fiction materials are collected by the four main cities libraries (‘G-4’)
and presented under the title Subject guide/Spider (Vakwijzer/De Spin). Many
schools had to update their school library into a study centre and have
outsourced this process to the local library. Other local libraries serve as a
study centre for pupils and students after regulation (payment) with schools.
Libraries also make special access for a number of sources related to 'school
subjects', including art, culture, literature, but also European matters,
history etc. In Overijssel county, the ask the librarian service is developed
for schoolchildren, who can ask questions by e-mail and will be answered by a
team of librarians (Vragenderwijs);
NBLC has
also developed portal sites on children's literature www.leesplein.nl and reading promotion www.boekenpretfantasia.nl and has a portal site on
literature/books www.boekbalie.nl.. Special sites for
children developed locally, e.g. in Hengelo, Haarlem might be 'upgraded' to the
national portal site.
Another
project is Knowledge Neighbourhood, part of called e-Culture, which is set up as a broadband network in parts
of some municipalities, bringing information and culture including library
sources into the homes.
All
public libraries have Internet access for staff and users. In 1997 20%
had their own websites, but the number has probably risen to 80%. No figures
are available for the current status. Bibliotheek.nl
has a tool for local libraries to make their own website in a useful format to
be related to the national portal.
Biblioplaza
is an example of a province wide digital access to library services.
Friesland has also united all local websites and an increasing number of
catalogues. The number of libraries having a collection of links is much larger
than those adding content and producing texts on their homepages.
Special
services might be delivered based on a user's library card in the near
future; sometimes requiring extra payment. Negotiations with Dutch banks to
introduce a universal card with paying facilities for library services have had
no results thus far.
The most
important consortium for the purchase of licenses for electronic information
is Surfnet. A central committee within NBLC prepares possible purchase of
licenses. A number of general licenses have been bought through Surfnet. In
addition the Newspaper License 'Krantenbank' is part of a recent mega-deal .The
provincial library centre serves also as a consortium of local libraries.
Regional support libraries (WSF) were among the first to start collective
purchase of licenses. 'Krantenbank' was one of the results.
Until now
e-learning is limited. The E-culture project might deliver tools for
such services. Some minor electronic library instructions have been developed
in the field of media-education. Continuous professional training (NBLC Course
Bureau) is a field in which e-learning or web based learning is developed for
librarians.
A number
of library systems are active in the Netherlands. Approximately 200
libraries – mainly university and research libraries and the national library
use the Pica system ((Netherlands Central Cataloguing) for bibliographic data.
Public libraries acquire their bibliographic data through NBD/Biblion. About
nine different automation systems are used. Generally speaking, all smaller
libraries (communities under 30.000 inhabitants) and a number of city libraries
are connected to the provincial library centres which run large library
systems.
Innovative
projects are taking place on the application of RFID and other improvements of
efficient delivery systems. Expert centre LAURENS is one of the driving forces
behind exploring new ways of IT-based services.
Digitisation
There is no comprehensive national policy or
project as yet (a cultural Delta work or e-culture), but a number of projects
has been undertaken with national funding. These include 'Memory of the
Netherlands', ‘History of the Netherlands', '100 Highlights of the Royal
Library'. Literature preservation projects are increasingly considered as
digitisation projects as follow-up of paper preservation. Digitisation of folk
songs (300.000 Euro) and older children's books has just started. Digitisation
of smaller collections of local libraries are also undertaken but less
frequent. On a national level, several paper documentation collections on
literature and other subjects for public libraries have been digitised, e.g.
Literom.
The national library, Koninklijke Bibliotheek,
carried out many research projects concerning digitisation strategy. It is
carrying out a national programme, Het Geheugen van Nederland (Memory of the
Netherlands). For the scientific world NWO (Netherlands Research Fund) is
investigating if a common approach is possible. University libraries and the
national library are carrying out large-scale retrospective catalogue conversion
projects. Full texts digitisation will include images – tiff or JPEG.
Museums and archives are also
investigating what possibilities are. But there is not one coherent programme
for all types of organisations, yet a co-ordination body DEN has been set up to
create a web guidance on culture.
The public libraries in the Netherlands will focus on the
following issues in the coming years. First of all, the elaboration of the
library portal www.bibliotheek.nl will require a lot of effort, especially from
NBLC to create or buy interesting content, to set up an editing and quality
control system, to increase the number of local and regional linked websites
with local and regional content added. Part of this strategic plan to make
public libraries more visible in society and the digital world, is to
engage in strategic and interesting alliances with national associations and
experts in the field of e.g. education, health, careers and employment, youth
services, travel etc.
The centre for IT Expertise in public Libraries, LAURENS,
will create energy between local/regional and national IT and innovative
projects. A similar expert centre, focused on professional skills and
competencies, LAURENZO has recently started. All of these activities and
trends are related to the framework for a new structure for the public library
services, for which the local, regional and national government have signed a
contract, and a project management group has been established.
Public libraries will be further involved in restructuring,
meaning exploring ways of up scaling their organisations or at least some of
their services. A number of libraries have intention to merge to large
organizations. They will continue working on forming ‘Basic Library
Organisatíons’.
Initiatives to cooperate with museums and archives
are increasing on local and regional level, and will be followed by
facilitating processes at the national level.
New concepts of services are expected in the field of
media education, cultural services and children’s services. They will be
related to and supported by digital services.
Library architecture will become more important as an expression of new ways to serve citizens in the 21st Century and to create public spaces for communities.
In recent
years policy papers have been published on IT, marketing, reading and literacy,
multicultural activities, media education, education services, public
information services. A number of Handbooks (best practice, guidelines) has
followed, often in co-operation with other national partners.
Quality management, guidelines and standards
One of the aims to improve library services is to set
up forms of quality management, guidelines and standards. The project
Co-operation and Quality (Samenhang en kwaliteit) aim was to improve the
quality of the public library by working together. NBLC has begun to establish
rules and standards for all public libraries.
So far, six guidelines have been accepted by all
libraries. These are:
1.
Level
of service. This guideline includes standards about opening hours, public
Internet services, etc. The guideline does not lay down any quantitative
standard for the collection, but says that the collection policy should be part
of the marketing policy and should meet the needs of the local population served
by the library.
2.
Professionalisation
of the service, which describes not only formal educational qualifications but
also informal requirements.
3.
Standardisation
of digital equipment. After the first round of audits, only three data system
companies were awarded. A second round has started in 2003.
4.
Financing
countrywide promotion. Each library pays pro capita for this promotion, which
consists of TV-spots and poster campaigns.
5.
Quality
management and certification. The libraries have all chosen the same model for
self-evaluation from the Institute for Dutch Quality. It has a special model
for non-profit organisations and is the Dutch translation of the model from the
European Foundation of Quality Management. This year, every library will
undertake a short analysis of the whole organisation according to the model.
Based on the results, each library will then make a plan to improve on any
areas which are shown by the analysis to be lacking Libraries are also
conducting a user-survey in 2002, based on a model made by NBLC. Certification
implies some sort of external auditing. NBLC is currently in discussions with
the association of Dutch municipalities to formulate the audit criteria.
6.
Library
accounting schedule. A standard scheme for the accounting of public libraries
has been elaborated and adopted in 2002. It helps to identify costs and means
across different library systems, and is part of future analysis programmes.
Technical
standards
The
library service is not an active participant in the national standardisation
organisation that is a member of ISO, but makes use of the INK-standard which
is somewhat related.
|
Electronic bibliographic format? |
Picaplus is used: a MARC-like
format composed of tags and ISBD interpunction. |
|
Cataloguing
rules |
The Dutch translation of
the ISBDs. Regels voor titelbeschrijving, (supervised by a FOBID Committee).
AACR2 has not been used – it is a national variety |
|
electronic
communication standards |
No national application
recommended; but an audit for digital equipment has been introduced by the
branch agreements of NBLC |
Best practice, innovations and projects
Digital literacy
Media-education in Dutch public libraries
By the
end of 2000, all pubic libraries had PC’s with Internet connection, due to a
national IT-impulse and investment scheme. PC’s and connection were provided on
the condition that library staff (6000 participants) was trained in using new
media and the Internet. Staff was also trained to give media education /digital
literacy courses to the general public. On a national level, NBLC developed the
training modules, published a Handbook and organised campaigns and promotional
material for special target groups: the elderly, unemployed, women and young
people. (See: www.nblc.nl under
‘English/documents’)
NBLC has a special course bureau, developing new
courses and also distributing them to the provincial level. Basic digital
literacy courses now mostly take place in the regions (See ‘Provinciale
Bibliotheek Centrales’ at: www.bibliotheek.pagina.nl).
Courses on e.g. public information services (health, careers, government,
Europe) all include training in searching digital sources. (www.nblc.nl under ‘cursussen’).
Access to digital information for migrant women in Utrecht
For some target groups it
is difficult to use library services. Sometimes they are not allowed to go out
of the house, or can only participate in women-only accommodations and courses.
The Women’s library in Utrecht was therefore an excellent place to start with
training courses for migrant women who would like to know more about internet
and find public and educational information of their own interests. In
co-operation with a social worker and the support of the public library network
(number of PC’s), the first sessions were met with enthusiasm: so much to
learn, so much to discover, so great to be out of isolation. The municipality
of Utrecht has therefore supported continuation of the project. Similar courses
will now take place under special condition in the colourful library branch of
Lombok. Librarian Sylvia has already a lot of credit for her work with migrant
groups and knows how to include this group in the library services.
(See: http://www.gbu.nl/lombokmondiaal/index.cfm)
Open learning in the Digiobus
The digiobus is a project
of the public library in Lelystad (60.000 inhabitants) with the Regional
Educational Centre Flevoland and the Education Support Foundation (See: www.bibliotheken-flevoland.nl)
The mobile Digiobus is
designed as an open learning centre in which people can take computer courses
and improve their Dutch language skills. Seven PC ‘s are available. The
mobile also presents practical information on health, education, social
benefits. The Digiobus is present in two neighbourhoods on four afternoons and
two evenings. New courses relate digital literacy and Dutch language to
practical situations: health care in the Netherlands (drugs, insurance, child
care, home aid). IT-support programmes are available in Turkish, Arabic,
English and Dutch. Another practical issue is the new Euro (paying, exchange
rate, history). More information: a.lanting@ssbf.nl
Social inclusion
The
library in the multicultural neighbourhood ‘schilderswijk’, the Hague
The neighbourhood of Schilderswijk in the Hague is a
colourful one, in many ways: the people, the housing, daily life and problems.
The library fulfils many roles, which can only be done by devoted staff, in
this under the inspiring leadership of Marianne Hartman-Kok. This is
librarianship with a social face, with cultural taste and creative non-formal
education. The library reopened in a friendly, clean, bright housing and
attracts many readers from all ages and backgrounds. In 1998, a telematics
centre with 12 multimedia PC’s was set up, to introduce new media to the
public; to teach school classes how to search information and to give pupils a
critical sense of information sources. The library offers special courses in
the morning and has the computers free for homework in the afternoon, and for
local organisations in the evening. All efforts are made to make every group in
the neighbourhood feel at home: photographs from all corners of the world. Only
one poem poster in Dutch. Lectures and discussion are offered on various topics
including Islamic law for women. (www.dobdenhaag.nl).
Multicultural reading
circles in Flevoland libraries
In the province Flevoland public libraries have
started multicultural reading circles, especially for migrant and refugee
women. The purpose is to introduce them to literature, Dutch culture and the
services of the library. In order to enhance integration Dutch women are
invited as well. Although ‘reading’ is the main purpose, the reading circle
offers an opportunity to get to know each other and learn about each other’s
culture in an easy way. Access to the monthly reading circle is free; the
library provides the books. (See the logo and information: http://www.bibliotheken-flevoland.nl)
Lifelong learning
Start early with joy of
books: Boekenpret
Research has made clear that speech, language and
literacy have to be enhanced from an early age on. ‘Boekenpret’ [Joy of Books]
is a method to have children and young parents discover the joy of reading
aloud. The aim is to stimulate language development in order to give better
access to (reading) education at school and create good readers.
The method ‘Boekenpret’ is introduced in many
municipalities in pre- and early educational settings to enhance basic language
and learning skills. Libraries are together with kindergarten and schools the
natural partners for this life long learning policy. Boekenpret is especially
effective for native and migrant families with little reading habit and
tradition. It contains a variety of materials and activities suitable for every
setting.
Municipalities can receive subsidy from Foundation
Reading (www.lezen.nl) for 25%, max. 15.880
Euro, provided they present a long-term reading promotion plan.
NBLC maintains the method, innovation of materials and
the organisation, performed by provincial co-ordinators, whom can be contacted
by the municipalities. Recently a website supports the projects with special
parts for children, parents and intermediaries. (General information: boekenpret@nblc.nl
Reading for school
children: Use ‘Fantasia’
Like Boekenpret, a similar project for schoolchildren
and their families has been developed under the name ‘Fantasia’. The
co-operation among schools, parents, libraries and booksellers is necessary to
make a structural effort in creating reading habits and a good reading climate.
The school appoints a reading co-ordinator. Every week at least two lessons are
devoted to reading enhancement: free reading, social reading (reading circle),
expressing reading content.
More information for civil servants at municipalities,
librarians and teachers is available at the website: www.fantasia.nl The website is part of
‘Reading Square’, a portal site for reading programmes and activities, set up
by NBLC: www.leesplein.nl.
Support
for formal education at all levels, including distance learning
General support: the Library
Square on Knowledgenet
When the Ministry of Education decided to create a
digital intranet (Kennisnet/Knowledgenet) for schools and educational
institutions, libraries proposed to be part of the pilot experiments. Twenty
local libraries participated. Ever since, NBLC created a national website:
Bibliotheekplein: Library Square for pupils, students, parents and teachers, to
support them with all kinds of school matters. Children will find suggestions
for their homework, language games, and reading interests. Students will find
suitable sites for preparing papers and (book) talks. Special searching tools
are included. Have a look at: http://ob.kennisnet.nl/.
Cultural Education: no
challenge for Assen Library
In the new educational method, ‘Studiehuis’
(Studyhome) students are challenged to work on their own, gather information
sources and elaborate on them. New subjects are introduced, such as cultural
education. Public Library Assen co-operated with schools to set up a site where
all relevant sources were gathered for further study, papers and projects.
Students find information on how to set up a paper, work with the sources, but
also the sources themselves: on various forms of art, cultural styles, design
etc. The library has included the service in other relevant information for
students: youth information, travel information, Europe information etc.
(Visit:
http://www.bibliotheekassen.nl/jongeren/frkennisnetckv.htm)
B-wise, over the reading
threshold, Public Library Rotterdam
For students who like to work with their hands, book
reading is a difficult part of obligatory education. The reading threshold is
very high and books are not popular. But Cora König en Adriana Balke of Public
Library Rotterdam convinced themselves and schools of the possibility to
attract these ‘non-readers’. B-wise is the result of it. A website created for
these students of vocational education (ivbo), which challenges them to have a
look at the Top 10 created by their peers, or have a look at easy books on
various topics. Important is that they give their opinion on what they have
read or what others think about their reading. Talking about books with peers
stimulates and creates self-esteem. Relevant sites on authors are added. The
personal or closer contact to authors is encouraged. The popular annual Reading
Festival in Rotterdam attracts readers of all kinds, B-wise! You’ll find it at:
http://b-wise.bibliotheek.rotterdam.nl/.
Students make their Reading
dossier online in Venlo
One of the innovations in lessons on literature is the
task for students to build up a Reading dossier. It means they have to reflect
and write about what they have been reading. Each book and subject should be
documented and be part of this dossier. In this way, the student can develop
and follow his/her own pattern of reading and discuss it with peers and the
teacher.
In order to support this new task for students, Public
Library Venlo set up a digital working tool at http://www.leesdossier.nl/. Here the
students find up-to-date tools to make their digital dossier, in 25 steps. They
find a practical instruction, also for searching on the web. They can print
their dossier or send it to friends or the teacher. Some dossiers are put on
the web, so peers may have a look at them and be inspired to write their own
reading experiences in literature. Students receive a name and login, so they
can easily continue to work on their dossier.
The first retrieval tools
for school subjects: De Spin and Vakwijzer
For the older pupils, based on the same idea, a
special search machine ‘Vakwijzer’ (Subject-signpost) makes it possible to
search thousands of descriptions of websites on Knowledgenet and Internet, all
related to school subjects (keywords, subject heading, classification number
and special options for type of education, level)
All digital sources are chosen and described by
teachers in terms of target group, educational keywords, description and
evaluation. New subjects can be added by other teachers via an online
procedure. Have a professional look at: http://vakwijzer.kennisnet.nl/
Support for business and the economy
Tailor-made business
information services in Apeldoorn: ADIC
ADIC (Current Information and Documentation Centre) is
information service for business and (government) institutes. It started in
1988 as an initiative of the Public Library in Apeldoorn of which it is still
part. ADIC’s customers are as divers as small business firms, municipalities,
industry, educational institutes, health organisations, legal professionals,
journalists, PR-bureaus and accountancy. The service ADIC offers is
tailor-made: information, advice or temporary staff. In the past decade ADIC
has improved its specialised staff and broad reference collection. Customers
can use ADIC to replace their (often too small business) library or in addition
to their own library.
Customers pay an annual fee, and an additional sum per
order or query.
The website is: http://www.adic.nl
Citizen participation in new forms of civic governance
Citizen participation in the
cultural field: Breda
The municipality of Breda wishes to include more
people in art and cultural projects in the city, based on it Action Plan
Cultural Reach. In a joint subsidy with the Ministry of Culture, the library
set up an infodesk for all cultural activities in its Reader’s Cafe. In
Cultuurpunt Breda (Culture Point) all cultural information is gathered and
presented in a user-friendly way. Information and advice is given ranging from
theatre to popconcerts and monument excursions to a course in African Dance.
Artist can be informed about accommodation and stages. Students can find
information for their papers. A number of local and regional organisations are
presented, together with a range of cultural and art magazines, reviews etc.
Tickets for various performances can be bought at the Cultuurpunt. Visit: http://www.cultuur.breda.nl/
Access to diverse cultural content
Lombok
Mondiaal: multicultural Study Centre
In one of the most colourful neighbourhoods of
Utrecht, people of various cultural backgrounds live together. The branch
library supports daily life with information about various cultures and
education on new media, IT-technology and how to use them for practical
matters. A variety of sources on cultures is available on the special website
Lombok Mondiaal and makes the branch into a multicultural study centre, where
people meet, exchange views on the neighbourhood, follow a computer course in
the Telematics centre or use the multicultural media collection. Have a look
at:
http://www.utrecht.nl/bibliotheek/lombokmondiaal/index.cfm
Access
and services for people with physical and visual impairments
Broader access to specialised
services for the visually impaired: ALP
For a long time libraries for the blind and the visually
impaired and public libraries had each f them their own services. The growing
number of chronically or temporary visually impaired and the need the broaden
the access to specialised services, created the foundation for a co-operative
experiment, to be followed by others: Other Reading Points (Anders Lezen
Punten) is the name for a specialised service in four public libraries:
Eindhoven, Helldendoorn, Maastricht and Nijmegen. The service provided consists
of adapted reading materials such as 300 talking books (with a exchange for
another 300 titles), 8 talking newspapers and magazines, a range of reading aid
tools, a PC for synthetic speech and largely increased texts, including access
to the network of the libraries for the blind and their central catalogue.
ALP’s collections of talking books are increasingly
used by the growing number of elderly, but also others: dyslectics, foreigners
learning Dutch, chronically sick people etc. The pilot projects have show that
a larger group of the general public needs and appreciates adapted service,
such as talking books and media. A strong argument for further co-operation.
The project was supported by the national government, NBLC and the Libraries
for the Blind and the Visually Impaired Fund. NBLC has now a specialist working
on the co-operation.
Reference: project anders lezen punten, een evaluatie,
nblc, 2001; see also: www.nblc.nl
Access
to music and non-print material
All
service for music lovers and the love of music: CDR Rotterdam
With the driving force of director Rob Maas, the
Centrale Discotheek Rotterdam (CDR) access to music in various forms and user
services have increasingly improved through IT application. The ‘musicweb’site:
http://www.muziekweb.nl/ offers a
variety of services including searching the online catalogue with various
tools. Members with personal access can see whether a CD is available or on
loan, they receive labels and tracks on their screen and can also search with
one or more words in a song title. There are more than 1 million track titles
available. Members can weekly ask for a list of new acquisitions and have their
own place in the CDR computer for various purposes: make a selective list of
recent titles in one or more types of music; personal wish list; reservation of
CD’s after opening hours, check one’s own borrowed items, ask for music advice.
CDR also offers services to other libraries:
professional services include unique interlibrary loan
(using the frequent national library transport
system), music reviews of CD’s in a weekly digital news list. CD’s can be
ordered at NBD, the national public library supplier (www.nbd.nl). A monthly magazine offers extra information
on classical music, world music and jazz. CDR is the largest music library
(fonotheek) in Europe: more than 250.000 CD’s en 300.000 LP’s! More detailed
information: disco@cdr.nl.
Since 2 November 2001, CDR and a number of other music
institutions (MuziekGroep Nederland, Nederlands Muziek Instituut, Nationaal Pop
Instituut, Nederlands Jazz Instituut, Theater Instituut Nederland, Muziek En
Theater Netwerk/Jazzserver, Genre-instituut Kamermuziek i.o. Nederlandse Raad
voor Muziek, Unisono and Gaudeamus) have set up a single website: www.musica.nl giving access in a single search
to their catalogues and databases on artist, musician, composer or title.
Management
practices and models for co-operation and partnership in service delivery
Library
pass in North Holland
In the province of North-Holland, libraries co-operate
since 1992 in a common library passport, a provincial membership card, which is
valid in all public libraries in the province. The additional pass is free for
all library users who have a local library membership card. It is an increased
service in this heavily travelled province, includes the larger reference
libraries of Haarlem and Amsterdam, and surpasses the differences in membership
fees for the benefit of the users. (see: News at www.nblc.nl)
Multi-co-operation
in RotterdamNet
The collaboration of libraries and information centres
of several museums in Rotterdam Net offer 4 million books, 5 thousand
periodicals and a thousand electronic data-files on Rotterdam, both present and
historical aspects, port and economy, technology, social sciences, healthcare,
art, education, law, history, philosophy, etc. Users can access general
information and the online catalogue from the following institutes: Belasting
& Douane Museum, Bibliotheek Rotterdam, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam,
Goethe-Institut, Inter Nationes Hogeschool Rotterdam, Hogeschool voor
Economische Studies, Landelijk Bureau ter Bestrijding van Rassendiscriminatie,
Maritiem Museum Rotterdam, Rotterdamsch Leeskabinet. A number of other
libraries, museums and archives is on the list to connect their online
catalogues. (See: http://www.rotterdamnet.nl/)
Biblioplaza:
practical and digtial co-operation in Overijssel
Under the driving force of the provincial library
centre (Overijsselse BibliotheekDienst OBD) public libraries have joined forces
in various forms of co-operation. Formation of front-offices and common
back-office teams of information specialist is one of them. Local library
supplied 4 local staff hours to set up these support teams for the benefit of
all local professionals. OBD supports these innovations with training,
expertise and process management. Through innovative digital networking of OBD
all local libraries and a number of cultural institutions present themselves on
Biblioplaza, which also makes it possible to search in various local catalogues
at one time. (See:
http://www.biblioplaza.nl/biblioplaza/)
Info-chat
in Flevoland
Innovation in reference service took place in the
nineties after a trip to the USA. Bibliofoon was the joint service of provincial
library centres. The special national phone number was later replaced by a
digital service: www.bibliofoon.nl.
Other libraries (like Oss) have set up their own digital librarian. Public
libraries in the province of Flevoland take turns in chatting with customers
every afternoon: The Info Chat is part of the Digital Library, which also
includes a Digital Info Desk for sending in queries. They will be answered
within five working days. “Top X’ includes access to a newspapers database,
national databases and the library catalogue. Start a chat at:
http://www.digitalebibliotheekflevoland.nl/chatten.html
Tailormade
co-operation; Project Bureau Maatwerk The Hague
A special Project Bureau of the Public Library The
Hague (Maatwerk = Tailor-made) creates contacts with multicultural groups,
specialists, artists, teachers, philosophers, authors, poets and musicians.
This co-operation results in lectures and presentations in all library
branches. The Project Bureau aims at innovation and change in the field of
information, education and culture in The Hague to give citizens access to
literary and cultural heritage. Co-operation starts with meeting each other.
Therefore informal meetings are organised, to discuss activities and have them
tailor-made to the audience addressed. A new way of ‘networking’, creating a
number of festivals and performances in The Hague. http://www.dobdenhaag.nl
Funding and financing opportunities
Creative
funding: Public Library Apeldoorn
After serious budget cuts in the eighties, Apeldoorn
Library developed enormous creativity to find alternative funding in order to
maintain good quality services. The housing in the modern building by famous
architect Herzberger radiates the same feeling for good quality. Apeldoorn
developed services with the idea of ‘value for money’, not unusual in the
Netherlands.
Reading dossiers on all kinds of topics were made for
sale, useful for homework and discussion. Paid services for the business
community, exploiting rooms for conference, lectures and meetings, exploiting a
Reader’s cafe and a home delivery service (Biebhopper) are just a few examples
of creative thinking for services and funding.
Most successful is the broad range of a professional
course programme, which attracts many citizens of Apeldoorn to their library,
finding out about computers, culture in Greece, literature, gardening etc.
Download the course-programme at: http://www.bibliotheekapeldoorn.nl/
The
public interest in access to copyright protected materials and related
licensing initiatives; business models for rights transactions
Negotiating
for public libraries
NBLC has set up a Committee to negotiate and purchase
licenses and new media content at discount rates. (www.nblc.nl)
So far, the availability in the public libraries of a database with sources
from six daily newspapers (www.krantenbank.nl)
is one of the results. Provincial library centres may also negotiate on IT
products to be available for the local libraries connected to their network.
NBLC
has also dealt with availability of newspaper clippings on CD-ROM, production
of CD-ROM about authors, cultural education etc. Together with academic
libraries under the umbrella of FOBID, a Legal Committee, analyses and works on
library friendly contracts.
Resource description,
discovery and retrieval
I-port, powerful searching
implemented by Pica
A useful tool for retrieval is the single search
engine I-port, presented by Pica. The demonstration shows a fast response
through parallel searching in various catalogues with a user-friendly
presentation of the retrieval results. It makes it possible to search the
Netherlands Central Catalogue and catalogues of different libraries at the same
time. This application will be a useful tool for co-operation between libraries
of various backgrounds or within a certain region. (www.pica.nl)
Digitisation
Digital
Heritage in the Netherlands (DEN)
On a national level a large number (45) of libraries,
museums and archives have set up Digital Heritage Netherlands (DEN) which
envisages to join forces on digitisation of cultural heritage materials and
give citizens access to them. The latter part is an interest defended by NBLC,
on behalf of public libraries. Digitisation of heritage materials will be used
in educational packages for teaching about history, memorials, topics in
national culture. The Royal Library has presented it first proofs of
digitisation of 17th century printings and coins, related to national history
in an accessible form.(www.den.nl)
Applications
of newly developing technologies
Forerunner:
Public Library in Oss www.oboss.nl
In many respects, the public library in Oss (65.000
inhabitants) is a forerunner in library innovation. Director Mari Nelissen and
IT-specialist Jan de Waal are not afraid of experiments. They were the first to
present E-books in the library and created the Digital Library for E-books, a
novum in the library sector: www.digibieb.nl.
It includes news, literature, links on e-books. The site www.bibliotheek.nu is one of the first
digital librarians for all kinds of questions to be answered by e-mail. Because
of the strong cultural networks, the library also hosts sites for the cultural
centre www.lievekamp.nl and the local
theatre www.muzelinck.nl and maintains
the computer network. Especially for schools, cultural productions are offered
for a reduced fee, with all kinds of additional information added on the
website: www.cultuuross.nl.
Aquabrowser:
associative searching from Eindhoven to NBLC
The public
library in Eindhoven introduced a new way of information seeking when it opened
its renovated building (The White Lady) some years ago. Taking the browser
needs and habits of library users seriously an unorthodox search machine was
developed which included associative terms: results of previous searches are
taken into account by a place in a tree-structure closer or further away from
the searched term. The Aquabrowser was the idea of Thijs Chanowski, producer of
a popular children’s TV-program, and developed by Medialab. How it works can be
seen at: www.interwad.nl and www.zoef.nl Because of its user friendliness and
the very positive results in Eindhoven Library, NBLC has signed a contract to
implement the Aquabrowser in the library portal site: www.bibliotheek.nl.
Joint activities between libraries, museums and archives
Preserving
the regional past: Audio-visual Documentation Overijssel (ADO)
A number of local and regional institutions in the
field of libraries, museums and archives set up the Audio-visual Documentation
Centre Overijssel, which is located in the premises of the Overijssel
Provincial Library Centre OBD in Nijverdal. The aim of the Centre is to
retrieve, acquire and preserve films and audio-visual materials on all subjects
related to the province of Overijssel. The foundation intents to preserve the
older audio-visual materials on sustainable media such as digital video
systems, CD's and DVD. Regional films will be transferred to CD-ROMs etc.
ADO has hundreds of films, (re)presenting numerous
aspects of the region. Parts of the films are weekly shown in the TV-programme:
Historical Film Archive Overijssel. These films show important happenings,
places and industry. Films sent by the regional TV Oost, are available at
length from ADO and can be purchased. ADO also delivers archival services for
private films and holds films shows for various audiences. In combination with
support services from the OBD, the ADO has become an appreciate regional
cultural service preserving the past and presenting it in up-to-date settings.
Contact: Dick ter Harmsel, at: http://www.ado-film.nl
Access
to broadcast archives: public library Hilversum
The city of Hilversum is
know for its concentration of broadcast organisations. The public library has
made use of its unique position to co-operate in a pilot project on opening up
the audio-visual archives of the broadcast organisations preserved in the
National Audio-Visual Archives (NAA). Although the archive system was set up for
producer, a user-friendly software has made a number of films and shots
accessible through PC's at the library (and a few schools). Both accessibility,
presentation and usefulness for educational purposes were tested. The films
were sent from the archives through video-streaming in a broadband setting. The
results of the pilot will be used in a broader project, called e-Culture, which
is set up in Eindhoven and Helmond. It will be a broadband network in parts of
these municipalities, bringing information and culture into the homes,
including interesting audio-visual materials.
Reference: Plein
Publiek 2001-2005, NBLC, 2001; and: http://www.nblc.nl
Constructing
the co-operation of library, museum and archive: Apeldoorn
In 1998, the municipality of Apeldoorn decided to
merge the Historical Museum, the Van Reeken Museum an the city archive into one
new organisation and a new building, to be constructed by Herman Hertzberger,
well-known Dutch architect who also built the well-appreciated public library
in Apeldoorn. At the end of 2000 the local authority and the library board
signed a letter of intention to include the library in the merger. This will
bring not only advantages in facilities but also added value for the core
services. In 2001 it was decided that merging was preferred and could take
place in 2003, when also the new building for the museum is ready. The City
Council agreed in June 2001. Final decision and financial aspects will be
discussed in beginning 2002.
Plans are
made under the name of APart: Beacon light of culture and knowledge in
Apeldoorn. The ambitions are high with plans for multidisciplinary programmes
for a variety of audiences, educational settings, professional and amateur art,
a knowledge centre, study centre, museum cafe; a cultural courtyard etc. The
horizontal programming, education and course programmes, manifestations,
special projects and exhibitions, together with marketing, research, public
relations, IT, facilities and management will support all three functions of
library, museum and archive.
Reference: Ontwerp beleidsplan
2001-2005, August 2001; Website: http://www.bibliotheekapeldoorn.nl