INTAMEL 1999 INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN CITY LIBRARIES NUMBER 17
INTAMEL–AROUNDTMETRABLE OF IFLA DECEMBER Edited and typeset by Pat Wressell Associates, 36 Highbury, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3EA, UK. Tel: +44 (0)191 281 3502 Fax: +44 (0)191 212 0146 E-mail: [email protected]
MILLENNIUM CLOSER CONNECTIONS
CONFERENCE the obligations and benefits of IFLA Round Table status.
ST. LOUIS pecial guest at the He outlined IFLA’s current struc- S INTAMEL Business ture, which includes Round Tables, NTAMEL’s Conference in Meeting in Zürich was and threw the ball into I the landmark year 2000 is Ross Shimmon, new Secretary INTAMEL’s court: it was for to be held in St. Louis, General of IFLA and formerly INTAMEL members to decide Missouri, USA. Jointly hosted by Chief Executive of the UK Library whether they wished to be more the St. Louis Public Library and the Association. closely involved with IFLA, or St. Louis County Library, the whether they wished to become Ross was invited to speak follow- Conference will take as its theme IFLA Secretary General Ross free of the IFLA connection. ing discussion on INTAMEL’s “Public Libraries in a Global Shimmon – up to INTAMEL to relationship with IFLA at the Round Tables usually had an Society”. The dates are Sunday 17 develop stronger ties if it wishes Budapest Conference in 1998 and organised presence at IFLA to Friday 22 September 2000, Photo: Apollo Conferences, for which some with an optional extra few days for funding was available. IFLANET, a visit to New Orleans, if sufficient the IFLA Web site, managed by members opt in. BANGKOK REPORT the National Library of Canada, At the Zürich Conference, ørge Sørensen (Copenhagen) governing body of 30 to 35 mem- contained pages for Round Tables INTAMEL President Dan Wilson, Breported on the recent IFLA bers was proposed. They would and the option was available for Director of St. Louis County Conference in Bangkok. Elections communicate by e-mail and meet INTAMEL to make use of the Library, outlined the provisional to four positions on the new annually during the Conference. facility and to set up a listserv. In Conference programme. He will Executive Board had resulted in It was also proposed that elections addition, IFLA was reviewing its be writing to members in early success only for candidates from should be by postal and e-mail structure and, as a Round Table, 2000 with more details. Western countries, including ballot, rather than in person at the INTAMEL had the opportunity to The Conference organisers plan to Claudia Lux (Berlin) and himself. Conference, enabling a wider contribute to the process. Chinese, Russian and Thai candi- membership to influence IFLA involve the Missouri State Library, Following discussion, it was agreed dates had not been successful. governance. the Urban Libraries Council, that Barbara Gubbin (Houston) Washington University Library and However, proposals for a change FAIFE, IFLA’s Committee on Free and Susan Kent (Los Angeles) with the MBG Library (rare books col- in structure and rules of procedure Access to Information and Gary Strong (Queens), co-Chair lection), as well as the two host aimed to enable non-Western Freedom of Expression, now in its of the 2001 Boston Conference libraries and their staff. As at countries to participate more fully second year and based in Organising Committee, would recent Conferences, sessions for in IFLA affairs and to be elected on Copenhagen, continued to work towards an INTAMEL pres- INTAMEL member presentations to IFLA governing bodies. It was address issues arising from all over ence at Boston. and discussions will be included. proposed that in future the Vice the world. Its final report would It was further agreed that The next issue of Metro, scheduled President should serve for two be to the Jerusalem Conference. years, then President for two INTAMEL’s IFLA Co-ordinator for July 2000, will carry information FAIFE was currently investigating years, on the UK and US model. If Stuart Brewer and Metro Editor on the near-final programme. reports of prosecution and arrest approved the change would take Pat Wressell would look into in Cuba of private individuals and Contact Dan Wilson, details effect at the Boston Conference. developing INTAMEL Web pages page 8. librarians who were setting up col- on the IFLA Web site. In place of the current Executive lections of banned works in their and Professional Boards, a new own homes. http://www.ifla.org PARIS 2001 INTAMEL Conference IFLA 2000 August 13-18 Jerusalem 2003 August 1-8 Berlin 2006 Seoul CONFERENCE 2001 August 16-25 Boston 2004 Buenos Aires 2007 open slot Date to be announced DATES 2002 August 18-24 Glasgow 2005 open slot
INTAMEL METRO ISSN 0965-3554 NO 17 DECEMBER 1999 INTAMEL IN ZÜRICH
agencies, and collaboration and CONFERENCE partnership. Ensuing discussions lead to the ifty delegates from 17 sharing of many leading-edge F countries and 34 cities ideas and experiences. Among gathered in Zürich for this these were how Queens works year’s conference, representing with the Police Department to cities as far flung as Los Angeles, encourage youngsters into Wuppertal, Amman, Singapore libraries, “Library Grandparents” and Perth, Western Australia. to support work with children There was also, for the second (Houston, Ljubljana and Los year running, an encouraging Angeles), library staff dealing with number of colleagues from driving licences in Hanover, spon- Central and Eastern Europe, sorship of the business informa- Presentation from Greater Amman – Mohammed Subeihi (left) hands the some again supported by the tion service in Minsk, and a map City’s plaque to INTAMEL President Dan Wilson at Zürich. Soros Foundation and, in one and guide to 120 libraries open to case, by INTAMEL. the public in Paris. A core contribution to the con- Conference host Christian Relly, A PRIORITY SERVICE ference came directly from the (Pestalozzi-Bibiothek Zürich), delegates, with 18 papers or pre- explained how it is that multilin- • Periodicals 600 sentations, 17 of which are sum- AMMAN gual Switzerland’s seven million • Staff 85 marised in the following pages people have 3,000 independent ublic libraries are integral • Users 500 daily. Some of these papers were in municipalities – and independent P to the philosophy of the The Central Children’s Library response to the conference public libraries to match! He also Greater Amman Council, was established in 1964 (the first themes of Services for Multilingual outlined a pilot project in the sys- which views cultural and recre- children’s library in Jordan), to ful- Populations and for Young tem of financing PBZ: the new ational services as essential to the fil reading and cultural needs such Adults. Others dealt with training three-year contract with the City quality of life and personal devel- as drawing, music, story-telling for librarianship, major building specifies how the subsidy is opment of its citizens. The and chess. Policy today is to redevelopment, radical organisa- dependent on output and perfor- Amman public libraries are open establish a children’s library in tion and culture change, IT for mance in terms of membership, to all on equal terms and, in co- every public garden and there are learners, service development in visitors, circulation and income. “I operation with other cultural now 20 in the Amman region. the face of social, political and like it”, Christian says, “it makes institutions, aim to fulfil a series of There are also 20 Branch economic shifts, promotion and our work, strategy and manage- broad cultural and educational Libraries with holdings of 150,000 fundraising, national and regional ment more effective.” objectives set out in the Public books and with 70 staff members. Libraries Department’s Charter. Looking to the future, Director The Department aims to estab- Mohammed Subeihi outlines the lish a library for children and Public Libraries Department’s adults in every area within the aims as: Council’s jurisdiction. Together with its central and branch • automation of processing and libraries, it is the largest provider implementation of computer of library services in Jordan and systems; contributes to shaping the culture • establishing children’s computer of all the country’s citizens, thanks libraries and children’s cultural in part to its excellent collection centres; of books and other material and • mobile libraries; to its numerous cultural activities. • renewing and developing ser- The Department of Public vices through IT development Libraries has ten Divisions: (the Internet, online databases Circulation desk at the Oerlikon Branch Library, Zürich Acquisition and Exchange; etc.); Cataloguing and Classification; • building up the libraries’ hold- ZÜRICH CONFERENCE SPONSORS Circulation; Periodicals; Reference ings to international standards; • Buch und Kunst, Walter Stender schaft der allgemeinen and Research; Documentation; • training courses for staff; GmbH, Essen öffentlichen Bibliotheken (SAB) Branch Libraries; Children’s • Crédit Suisse • Schweizerische Volksbibliothek Libraries; Administration Affairs; • establishing new branch • Dynix Deutschland GmbH • Schweizerisches Sozialarchiv Computer Division (in process of libraries; • Freunde der Pestalozzi-Bibliothek • Stadt Solothurn being set up). • establishing cultural centres for • Kanton Solothurn • Stadt Zürich • Kanton Uri • Stadtbibliothek Biel Some Central Library statistics: people with disabilities. • Kanton Zürich • Verband der Bibliotheken und der • Established 1960 Mohammed Subeihi • Kantonsbibliothek Altdorf Bibliothekarinnen/Bibliothekare • Area 2,000 m2 Tel/Fax: +962 6 461 0542 • Kantonsbibliothek Glarus der Schweiz (BBS) (direct) • Orell Füssli Buchhandlung AG • Zentral bibliothek Zürich • Holdings 250,000 books Tel: +962 6 462 7718 • Schweizerische Arbeitsgemein- • Zürcher Kantonalbank
PAGE 2 INTAMEL METRO NO 17 DECEMBER 1999 GLOBAL CHALLENGES – LOCAL SOLUTIONS
Services for Multilingual Big issues for INTAMEL Building on the NAP, the International Resource Center is a library of international Populations members were aired at Zürich studies for students, scholars and general read- through a series of papers, many ers. Housed in the new (1998) Flushing Branch, RECENT ARRIVALS of which led to animated discussion it is a citywide service of multicultural, multilin- Jan Boman, Stockholm gual materials, providing information and refer- [email protected] and sharing of experience. ral for anyone wanting to know about the peo- Metro 17 covers the presentations ples of the world or to explore issues of race Public libraries in Sweden are significant for in outline, and copies of most and ethnicity. many recently arrived immigrants. Open to The International Relations Office, newly estab- everyone free of charge, the library becomes a of the full texts can be obtained lished by the Library, will coordinate profession- sanctuary and a place for meeting people of from the speakers or Metro editors. al exchange, international agreements and visits their country. There are newspapers and maga- The summaries have been made by INTAMEL/ from foreign librarians, seeking to establish on- zines, to keep in touch with the homeland, and IFLA Information Co-ordinator Stuart Brewer. going mutually beneficial relationships with pub- books to borrow in one’s mother tongue. [email protected] lic libraries – including INTAMEL members. Since the 1960s, Swedish libraries have devel- Professional oped ways of acquiring material in many lan- guages. This required solid, durable contacts, Training NEW AMERICANS time and knowledge, much of it impossible Gary Strong, Queens Borough without the participation, often voluntary, of COLLABORATION [email protected] representatives of the various language groups Tatiana Kouznetsova, Moscow in the community. Libraries also co-operated Queens, New York, is one of the most racially [email protected] with child care centers, pre-schools, adult edu- and ethnically diverse counties in the United In the economically and politically changed cation services and others in providing informa- States. More than 120 countries and 100 lan- Russia of today, much importance is attached tion and promoting library visits and outreach. guages are represented. Of a two million popu- to training in librarianship and to the computer- lation, 36% were born in a different country, With more refugees being ization of libraries. Professor of Library Science and 44% speak a language other than English at received, and increased at the Russian Academy for Cultural Sciences, home. Each of Queens 63 libraries serves a dis- pressures on libraries, the Tatiana Kouznetsova described her collabora- tinct neighborhood with a unique, diverse inter- Immigrant Lending Center tion with the Moscow Nekrasov Public Library national community make-up. (ILC) was established in on a program for the professional training of 1991 as a national library To respond to these com- public librarians. service for those with non- munities, the Library estab- The course in librarianship Swedish mother tongues. lished The New Americans Jan Boman is organized on four levels State-funded, and regulated Program, working closely of knowledge, and teaching by the National Culture Board, ILC is attached with ethnic community is on the module principle. to the Stockholm Public Library. ILC’s tasks organizations to assess local Modules include library include: developing a multilingual collection that needs, link residents with management, marketing in meets actual requirements; agreed distribution neighborhood and system- the information and library of responsibilities with public libraries; co-ordi- Gary Strong wide library services, and sciences, organization and nated collection management; advice and infor- create new services. “What Tatiana Kouznetsova technology of library ser- mation. A reference group comprises represen- we do is just good service . . . people respond vices, and library-related cultural and leisure tatives from public libraries. to what we do . . . it is just good customer activities. Each module consists of several pro- service”. ILC collections are integrated with those of the grammes (55 in all) and after a year and a half’s Stockholm County and the Public Library into a NAP covers three categories. Collection devel- training, participants possess the theoretical and common collection, totalling altogether 220,000 opment includes collections of popular books, practical knowledge required. Specialized cours- volumes in 122 languages. The central media magazines, CDs and videos in branches, all es in youth work and literature for young adults supply plan for immigrant and refugee languages based on community need, language demo- are also offered. represents an agreement on co-operation and graphics and the need to help immigrants to partnership between the public libraries and learn English. Service to immigrants, the core of Moscow Invitation ILC. The plan has aroused interest abroad since NAP, includes: the largest library-based ESOL INTAMEL members specialising in work with no other country has such a formal and well (English for Speakers of Other Languages) pro- young people are invited to give guest lectures established division of responsibility in this area. gram in the US, taught by trained teachers; a Mail-A-Book Program, sending non-English or to hold seminars in Moscow. Funding will Although the common collection is not open materials to new residents, introducing them to be through grants and sponsorships. The aim is to the public, the libraries aspire to an open the Library; WorldLinQ, access to the Web for to enable Russian libraries to make and main- “International Library”. The development of non-English speakers; an online catalog with tain contacts with Western colleagues and to the Internet could revolutionize the potential vernacular search strategies; and coping skills benefit from their experience and knowledge. for providing library users with news from their programs. Cultural arts programs celebrate the • Contact Tatiana Kouznetsova • homeland, eg. through newspapers and library cultural heritage of Queens’ 100 nationalities [email protected] Fax: +7 095 970 02 84 catalogues worldwide. and attract newcomers to the Library.
PAGE 3 INTAMEL METRO NO 17 DECEMBER 1999 Services for Young THE CHILD’S BEST PRESENT A PLACE TO HANG OUT People Neda Isakovic, Ljubljana-Bezigrad Susan Kent, Los Angeles [email protected] [email protected]
‘ASPIRE’ INSPIRES “Reading is important for a child’s health and Commitment to serving young people was Barbara Gubbin, Houston development. We create foundations for a one of the goals set down seven years ago by [email protected] healthy personality by everyday reading and the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL). It was talking to the child from birth onwards, espe- decided that libraries must become places for “Millions of young people nationwide are ham- cially in the first years of life . . . children young people “to hang out”, to feel welcome pered in developing their skills by a serious lack whose parents read them stories in the first and comfortable. Staff felt it was critical that of educational support at school and at home, three years of their lives and who talk to Library buildings offer the particularly in the crucial after-school hours.” With them have a stronger foundation for success- right kind of space for this quote from John P. Bailey in American ful reading later in their lives.” With these teenagers. Los Angeles Libraries, Barbara Gubbin launched a discussion of teenagers face the same ASPIRE (After School Programs Inspire Reading opening words, Neda Isakovic introduced the or similar problems that Enrichment). programs used by the Bezigrad Public Library, in Ljubljana, aimed at promoting reading from teens face around the For many years Houston Public Library (HPL) the earliest age. world in other large cities: had provided homework support for thousands they are not achieving of young people, but there was no young adult To promote awareness of the importance of their educational goals, Susan Kent service program nor sys- reading for children before kindergarten, a they speak many lan- temwide plan to address leaflet The Cradle of Reading was issued, guages, and the “digital divide” exists, leading their study needs. In 1996 aimed at reaching every new-born child in to the information rich and the information HPL, having made a high- Slovenia – or at least their parents, explaining poor. The Library had a responsibility to level commitment to that through the network of public libraries respond. reading is within reach of all parents regardless youth services, established LAPL responses include reading enrichment of their level of education or financial situation. ASPIRE at two branch programs, electronic information educational libraries as a pilot, support- Grandma and Grandpa Tell Stories is a more programs, a young adult librarian at LAPL’s ed by the City’s Mayor and Barbara Gubbin recent project which unites children, grand- Central Library and each of its 67 branches, Council, in mainly Hispanic parents, senior citizens, kindergarten teachers and a Young Adults Services Manager – all and African American neighborhoods. Key goals and public librarians in reading and storytelling. with the aim of making the library a destina- included: target audience of 11 to 15 years; The project stimulates intellectual activities of tion of choice for young people. The concept homework assignments completed, and the elderly, and helps children to get to know of the “virtual library” triggered a decision to improved reading skills, achieved with Library about old age and elderly people. It enables establish a network of electronic homework support; volunteers providing one-on-one tutor- children without grandparents to experience centers. This now extends to every LAPL ing and role models; to make learning fun; to gain a grandpa and grandma, and gives lonely facility, with more than 1,800 terminals access- private funds to match and build on City start-up elderly people the opportunity to be involved ing the LAPL catalog, databases of electronic funds. with young children. information and access to the Internet. Six ASPIRE centers are now operating, with more Each branch has established a Young Adult Grandmas and grandpas to come. Benefits of the Program include the Advisory Council which makes suggestions for tell stories and fairy-tales, opportunity to appoint more staff with a youth services and appropriate space for teenagers talk of their own memo- focus, building collections for young adults, and such as study facilities, computer centers and ries, play instruments or installing more computers which can also be used lounge areas. The “Teen’scape” at Central share an activity with by other customers. Among the challenges are: Library will move from its present 1,800 children. Meetings are staffing; finding volunteer tutors; planning and square foot space to one that’s twice as big in arranged in the kinder- executing programs; evaluation; funding and the early 2000. The new “Teen’scape” will be an garten, library, pension- need for increasing amounts of private dollars; up-to-the-minute young adult library and adequate space. Neda Isakovic ers’ club, community resource center with areas for a cybercafé, premises, or old persons’ lounge reading area, study room, displays and ASPIRE has enabled HPL to strengthen working home. [In discussion, successful Library audio-visual programming. partnerships with the major school districts; and Grandparent schemes were also reported schools have played a critical role in HPL’s suc- from Houston and Los Angeles]. Young Adult Librarians work hard to attract cessful Power Card Challenge, through which LA’s more than 300,000 teenagers to the HPL has doubled the number of children holding The Reading Badge competition, a national Library. With backing from LA’s Mayor library cards and increased juvenile circulation by movement in Slovenia for the development of Richard Riordan and the City Council, the 21 per cent. ASPIRE has also enabled HPL to par- the reading habit, began in 1961. 140,000 chil- Library has seen several years of budget ticipate in special programs eg. the Mars dren of school age take part annually in activi- increases because elected officials see LAPL as Millennium Project in which young people were ties that include literature classes, exhibitions a force for positive change. Generous support challenged to design a community to live on and discussions with writers. More recently has come from the Library Foundation of Los Mars in 2030. For those who participate in the scheme has spawned the Ecological Angeles as well, including a gift from Leonardo ASPIRE, HPL would now affirm: After School Reading Badge and The Pre-School Reading DiCaprio to establish a computer center in a Programs (Do) Inspire Reading (and Learning) Badge, involving children, parents, kindergarten new branch library constructed on what was Enrichment (for Young Adults). teachers, and librarians. the site of his boyhood home.
PAGE 4 INTAMEL METRO NO 17 DECEMBER 1999 NEW DIRECTIONS Radical CULTURE SHOCK Inta Virbule, Riga Changes Claudia Lux, Berlin [email protected] [email protected]
Faced with recent political and economic 21st CENTURY LIBRARY Ten years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the changes in Latvia, Riga’s 47 public libraries are Clyde Scoles, Toledo-Lucas County differences between East and West have still [email protected] finding it difficult to develop a serious and sys- not disappeared. After reunification in 1990, tematic approach to updating their services Major expansion and renovation is taking Berlin’s libraries were quick to establish com- for children and youth. Current debate turns place at the downtown Main Library of this mon bodies, but it was only in 1995 that unifi- more, therefore, to how best to improve the metropolitan area in the State of Ohio. The cation of the two central use of traditional reading methods, expand $35 million project, scheduled to be complet- libraries of the City came co-operation with cultural, educational and ed by spring of 2001, is expected to provide about. Then, the normal other public sector organisations, and respond enough shelf space to allow about 80% of the conflicts which arise when to the changing interests of children and youth. one million-item collection to be displayed – two institutions are Several initiatives are in hand. One under dis- currently it’s only 25%. merged was overlaid with cussion is the family library model, where chil- the East-West conflict, Several departments have been moving out of dren’s departments are located “under the Claudia Lux affecting the way the the 60-year old Main Library during the Fall, wing” of adult libraries, where the experience merger of the libraries prior to the Library closing for renovation in of foreign models shows that both parents developed and making particular demands on January and a new 85,000 sq ft addition open- and children can be satisfied: parents do not management. ing for public service in February 2000. need to worry about where to leave their off- When the authorities decided to unite the spring, while the children can move about The “roof” of the addition will be a Civic two libraries (the Municipal Library and the freely. Plaza, containing the McMaster Family Lifelong American Memorial/Central Library) to Learning Center, along with half an acre of “Theatre-Library-School” is a project where become the Central and State Library, each lawn, landscaping, benches and pathways as a the integration of non-Latvian children into began to work on its own ideas of what the relaxing retreat. the Latvian cultural envi- library service should be, in order to attract ronment is assisted As part of the renovation, the Children’s Area for itself finances and opportunities for devel- through reading and seeing will increase by 400% to 13,000 sq ft, and the opment. A common path thus became a play in the Central Local History and Genealogy Department hedged with mistrust. Library or in school and more than double to 16,000 sq ft plus a new being introduced to rele- Rare Book Room. The renovated building will As in Berlin generally, the feelings experienced vant literature. This co- also house a new Popular and Teen by each side went through five phases: eupho- operation with a theatre Department, Audio Visual Department and ria, visiting and getting to know each other; Inta Virbule company is important Business, Technology and Society disillusion and mistrust, everyone becoming because, in a situation where not all parents Department. conscious of the differences in speech, behav- can afford to visit the theatre, libraries are iour and concepts; mutual recrimination, criti- Project architect is the Toledo, Ohio firm of perceived as acceptable cultural places – and cism and hardening of attitudes; the first phase Munger Munger & Associates, and the Library free of charge. of understanding, where misapprehensions are Legacy Foundation of the Toledo-Lucas recognised and attempts made to alleviate At the library Teen Club, teenagers come County Public Library is conducting a $4 mil- misunderstandings; and the second phase of lion capital fundraising drive to provide impor- together to discuss problems, interests and understanding, not really in effect yet. reading preferences. There is also a develop- tant enhancements to the project. “While the ing flora and fauna group, attracting children ‘new’ Main Library will be a great hub for the However, 12 elements in the merging of busi- and young people with the opportunity to see system into the next century”, Clyde Scoles nesses from differing commercial cultures have environmental videos from the library and to said, “a total of c. $15 million is being invested acted as models for measures taken in unifying meet specialists. in capital improvements at the Library’s 18 the two libraries: external leadership appoint- branch libraries throughout Lucas County.” ed; strict neutrality; common long-term goal (in Library co-operation is a topical issue because it diversifies the library service and helps to attract new readers, especially co-operation with schools through library visits, literary competitions and project weeks. Initial attempts have also been made in co-opera- tion with radio and TV. Riga’s librarians are keen to compare their concerns with librarians from cities in other countries, and have begun a dialogue about exchanging experience with colleagues from Sweden and Finland. But the most important Clyde Scoles and (right) factor is the professional preparedness of simulation of the planned librarians in researching user needs. A librarian Library complex at Toledo should be an analyst of research data. with the new Civic Plaza
PAGE 5 INTAMEL METRO NO 17 DECEMBER 1999 this case a shared new building); short-term sharing of duties by staff of each service. In and Information Commission (LIC), and par- improvements in service with mixed staffing; another District, wider integration is taking ticipated in the recent LIC/British Council con- understanding of different points of view place at an Arts and Community Centre, a ference to develop a policy framework for a through working together; different clienteles new building with a new public library but UK information strategy. requiring different responses; clear decision housing a single organisation. The Divisions
PAGE 6 INTAMEL METRO NO 17 DECEMBER 1999 EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP tions for receiving education across Russia. The Ukraine. The Library works to help immigrants Larissa Oulianova, Moscow technical know-how emerging is of great impor- to adapt to a new life, and to teach people to [email protected] tance. While many libraries do not have room live in harmony with nature. for technically equipped educational centres, we A major partnership Program with the educa- hope the Program will gain governmental status FUNDRAISING STRATEGY tion sector is being developed under the UN and achieve effective co-operation between Lynn Allen, LISWA and UNESCO World Culture Program and the libraries and the educational institutions. [email protected] Russian national program “The world culture in LISWA, the Library and Information Service of Russia – the year 2000”. It follows a survey of Spreading the readers of the Moscow Central Municipal Western Australia, is funded by the State gov- Wings Public Library after N. A. Nekrasov (CMPL) and ernment, and we have no history of bequests of the resources available. The survey was the or philanthropic donations. Options were to: basis for a reorganisation of the library service THE LISTENING LIBRARY manage with what we have; start charging for system, and for the creation of information and Tatiana Akouchevich, Minsk some services; charge more for what we charge Tel: +375 17 234 46 21 document resources. for now; establish new fee-for-service activities; ask the community for money; ask government The gap between readers’ requirements and Public libraries in Belarus need to go through for more money; ask business for money. the resources available is increasing, and general rapid changes, especially towards openness and public libraries are having to diversification, as well as to strengthen their self- Challenges to starting any fundraising included acquire educational func- confidence. In the new situation, librarianship staff attitudes, political attitudes, lack of skills, tions. So the main goal of needs new thinking and new knowledge, limited networks, community attitudes, and the Program was to create although the majority of Belorusian public business attitudes. LISWA’s response was to a financial and organisation- libraries are lagging behind the technological establish medium- and long-term fundraising al model for a system of developments needed to fulfil the potential of activities, targeting business, community and close interaction between digital technology. government partners, in seven phases. libraries and educational Minsk Yanka Kupala Central Public Library, with First, The Western Australian Larissa Oulianova institutions. Full implemen- its 21 branches in a city of nearly 2 million peo- State Library Custodians was tation of the Program will give a new image to ple, is adapting to new technologies, demands set up, an incorporated libraries, which have always been important for and customers. A development plan was body whose sole function is sustaining the knowledge necessary for educat- adopted in 1998, with the goal of providing to support LISWA’s activi- ing and forming the attitudes of young people. sound, consistent and friendly information and ties. Membership is limited CMPL’s partner is the Modern University of documentation support for the public by 2005. and by invitation. The Humanities (SGU) which has 137 branches in The plan signals librarians’ recognition that Custodians is a business big cities and the regions of Russia, and in the “they have to fight for their place in the sun” and community network, not a Lynn Allen former Soviet republics. Factors taken into need to pay attention to the role of the public Friends group. library as a social institution. Hence the Library account for this choice included use of the lat- Second, we recruited an experienced invest- slogan: We are listening to our city, we are est technologies of tuition, a studio for creation ment and sponsorship officer and transferred working for you! of educational audiovisual materials, and the some staff with collections expertise to work technical facilities for distance education. The Library is keen to par- with her. Third, the Save Our Century Fund was ticipate in programs for The partners agreed to organise centralised invented as the Custodians’ project for 1999- the younger generation; purchase of educational literature by SGU and 2001, aiming to touch the heart of the commu- these include Education in its free transfer to regional libraries, special nity in fulfilling our statutory responsibility to the metropolis, Family, equipment for the libraries for distance educa- collect and preserve the documentary heritage. and Live and be healthy, tion, and development of new library service as well as organising cul- Fourth, in 1998, with partners and sponsors, we technologies and inter-regional interaction of tural events, learning launched a three-year campaign to raise $A5 libraries using an Internet system installed by Tatiana Akouchevich opportunities and clubs. It million. Fifth, for campaign projects with business SGU. The 137 biggest libraries are now works with people who have lost their job and targets, prospectuses have been developed involved in the experiment. want to get new knowledge and skills. Much telling the stories of eg. gold and wool, to seek The second stage of the Program, “Moscow – attention is paid to aged people, veterans, large funding for, say, a CD-ROM, an exhibition, or regions” is in preparation. CMPL is preparing families, orphans and people with disabilities. other format negotiated with the investor. electronic databases for partner libraries’ use The Library is committed to developing part- Sixth, the community: several projects focus on on the basis of the survey. Many editions that nerships with many organisations for exhibitions ways in which the individual or community are in great demand are transferred on to and other activities to support the cultural and groups may become involved. Seventh, microfilm, with the facility of providing copies of economic development of Minsk. The Business Government: we will target specific grants at microfilmed texts. Two hundred educational library service gets continuing financial support national level, we will approach departments at videos will be given to libraries. Lectures and from a local business, a partnership that State level for assistance, and at local level we language lessons are being recorded on audio- “inspired us and allowed us to understand our hope to enlist the support of public librarians. cassettes. Educational programs are being library’s new importance under new economic The project was a risk but is a success. We’ve broadcast on a satellite TV channel linking and social conditions”. Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Cambridge. had incredible support. Our profile has never A new program on ecology is especially impor- been better, the staff are really on side, and The overall goal is the creation of equal condi- tant following the Chernobyl explosion in $A50,000 was pledged in the first six months.
PAGE 7 INTAMEL METRO NO 17 DECEMBER 1999 City-wide INSTITUTIONS MEMBRES DE L‘OPLPP Collaboration (Observatoire Permanent de la Lecture Publique à Paris)
A UNIQUE EXPERIMENT Bibliothèques municipales Bibliothèque Conseil supérieur parisiennes Sainte-Geneviève des bibliothèques Aline Girard-Billon, Paris de la Ville de Paris [email protected]
Libraries open to the general public in Paris Ministère de la Culture et de Bibliothèque publique la communication d’information (Centre are faced by the question of specialisation Direction régionale des OPLPP Georges Pompidou) versus service: they have to meet all kinds of affaires culturelles Ile-de-France Observatoire Permanent de la Lecture Publique public demand, to structure services and cre- à Paris Ministère de la Culture et Bibliothèque nationale ate new ones to meet increasing demand. de la communication de France This lead to the creation, in 1994, of OPLPP, Direction du Livre (niveau grand public) the Observatoire Permanent de la Lecture et de la lecture Publique à Paris (Permanent Observation Ministère de l‘éducation La Cité des Sciences nationale, de la recherche Group on Libraries Open to the General Médiathèque de la Villette Public in Paris) to promote co-operation and et de la technologie exchange. OPLPP members are the reviews progress, sets priorities, and agrees However, the public libraries of the five for- City of Paris (public budgets. Action lines are financed by mem- mer municipalities are independent organisa- libraries service) and seven bers. OPLPP activity is co-ordinated through tions, with their own financing and acquisition; other public sector organi- the City of Paris public libraries office. but they co-ordinate their services, co-oper- ate with each other and form a joint library sations (see chart). They Projects include: a map and guide to more policy with the City government and the represent 63 public than 120 libraries selected for the quality of Ministry of Culture. libraries, a reference collections and access for the public; in-depth library, the national library survey of public usage of libraries, followed by Co-operation between the Aline Girard-Billon reference department, a a conference for the library community; and a library managers and university library open to feasibility study, due this November, for a sin- librarians includes: periodic the general public, a science and technology gle access pass for Paris libraries’ users. meetings on current prob- general library, 15 academic and major lems; local history librarians research libraries, and Government bodies. Specialist groups are working on a common co-operate in shared cata- spreadsheet to help members evaluate the The objectives are to encourage common loguing; youth librarians do quality of services, and an information file on thinking, to help members to define their spe- joint presentations for digital and multimedia services. A conference Marija Kobal cific objectives in relation to the common school librarians; and pub- is planned for January on the urgency of goal, and to suggest to decision makers practi- lic library statistics are collated and published improving services to disabled persons, and cal co-operative action and conduct feasibility annually. Allo bibliothèques, an “800” freephone ser- studies. vice is being considered. Main developments in the last ten years OPLPP has no legal status. Its projects are include computer software for circulation, cat- OPLPP facilitates members’ involvement in managed by representatives, meeting every aloguing, statistics and local functions; furni- shared projects appropriate to the develop- other month, with activities validated by high- ture renewal to provide for IT; promotion of ment and improvement of libraries serving er managements. An annual plenary session public libraries and open debates about the the public in Paris. However, its objectives service; and new services for young users and and projects will become reality only if the the elderly. INTAMEL CONTACTS political authorities apply to it their consistent Ljubljana-Bezigrad is one of the five former and strong will. PRESIDENT local authorities in the City, and this year cele- Dan Wilson brated the 50th anniversary of its Public Director, St. Louis County Library MULTI-AUTHORITY CITY Library. Co-operative factors include: the 1640 South Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis, Missouri Marija Kobal, Ljubljana-Bezigrad Library Board, comprising three from local USA 63131-3598 [email protected] government, three library users and three Tel: +1 314 994 3300 librarians, the Professional Library Board of Fax: +1 314 997 2896 Following the secession of Slovenia from heads of departments and the four branch [email protected] Yugoslavia in 1994 and a reorganisation of libraries, producing “concrete solutions to local government, the five local authorities in SECRETARY & TREASURER concrete problems”, and meetings of all the the capital city of Ljubljana merged into a joint Jan Boman staff two or three times a year. municipality, with a regional population of City Librarian This year the City Council ordered the Stockholm Public Library 330,000, of whom one third are registered Cultural and Research Department to under- Sveavägen 73, PO Box 6502 library members. SE-113 83 take research on public libraries: their eco- Stockholm, Sweden Each of the five authorities already had their nomics, legal framework, organisation, man- Tel: +46 8 508 31 190 own public library network, each with central agement and services. The results should initi- Fax: +46 8 508 31 210 and branch libraries, together with a joint ate proposals for the future organisation of [email protected] mobile library service financed by all five. the public library network in Ljubljana.
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