CENL is pleased to partner with NAPLE to co-host the upcoming webinar on the role of national and public libraries in engaging users of regional and minority languages.

A vast majority of countries in Europe have signed the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Signatory members also acknowledge the importance for all European countries to protect the diversity of languages and cultural heritage that regional or minority languages represent. The right to non-discrimination is important, but not as strong as a system of positive protection the Charter enforces.

Libraries have an immensely important role to play in keeping these languages alive, but also to revitalise and develop the languages in an everyday context; to bridge generations and to facilitate the transfer of a language that is fragile, either in that particular area or as a small language, where the total number of speakers are low.

Examples of the different situations are illustrated by cases from three countries. Due to the history of Russian suppression, though the Estonian language is the official native tongue of Estonia, it is still a relatively small language. From Slovenia, we will learn about the important work to preserve Italian language in the area of Koper-Capodistria close to the Italian border. Our third case study is from Sweden, where the government appointed the National Library of Sweden a commission to reinforce and develop services for national minorities and the indigenous Sami people.

Join at 3pm GMT on Friday 19th February.

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-role-of-libraries-in-engaging-users-of-regional-and-minority-languages-tickets-138772802187

More information: CENL & NAPLE upcoming webinar – The Conference of European National Librarians (CENL)

EBLIDA – European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations

National Library of the Netherlands
Prins Willem-Alexanderhof 5
2595 BE The Hague
The Netherlands
Tel.: +31 (0)70 3140137

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Visit our website: http://www.eblida.org

Αγαπητοί συνάδελφοι,

Ακολουθεί κείμενο από τον Πρόεδρο της EBLIDA, κ. G. Vitiello στο οποίο υπάρχει ένα ερωτηματολόγιο για την αναγκαιότητα των δημοσίων / δημοτικών βιβλιοθηκών και τα νέα τους καθήκοντα. Είναι ολιγόλεπτο και παρακαλείσθε να το συμπληρώσετε.

Η προθεσμία για τις απαντήσεις λήγει την Τετάρτη 9 Σεπτεμβρίου 2020.

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Dear EBLIDA Members,

I am fully aware that end July is not the most appropriate time to carry out surveys but this survey seems to me important since it may raise the status of European libraries within the EU Urban Agenda.

The Section for Libraries and European Funding of the Culture Department in the Berlin City Administration approached us and asked for support for an action that they have been preparing.

It is planned that the action will take place in 2021 and 2022 with the following activities:
Action 13: Raise awareness for public libraries and their new tasks on a European and National Level

1)  Document Analysis on Public Libraries

The action suggests an analysis of documents and funding guidelines published by institutions such as the European Commission (e.g. funding proposals), the Council of the European Union (e.g. Council Conclusions) and the European Parliament (e.g. reports on regulation proposals of the Commission) to get an overview of missed opportunities and to focus on and to exploit the potential of the cultural institution “Public library” concerning urban development and social cohesion.

As a result, a paper is to be presented which points out what role libraries could play in various policy fields and topics and how their potential can be used at the European level.

2)  Survey and Analysis of Financial Funding for Change Processes in Public Libraries

We propose a survey among cities focussing on the resources of public libraries. The guiding questions are “What are the sources of financing and funding for big change processes in public libraries in Europe? How do public libraries use those funds? Are there any European funds used already by public libraries to walk new paths and follow innovative approaches?”

The aim is to gain knowledge about financial sources and opportunities to modernize and innovate, libraries and to identify, where EU funding may be needed to complement already existing national and local programs, thus broadening the recognition of public libraries at a European level.

3)  Web/Community Page on Modern Libraries as “Third Places”

The aim is to introduce, spread knowledge about and foster inspiration on best practice examples about “third places” and advanced libraries in Europe to support mostly (but not only) public libraries becoming a place for the entire urban society, which contributes to social integration. The action proposes the creation of a community page, maybe a website, where examples of third places in libraries from all over Europe are presented.
https://ec.europa.eu/futurium/en/culturecultural-heritage/action-13-raise-awareness-public-libraries-and-their-new-tasks-europhttps://ec.europa.eu/futurium/en/culturecultural-heritage/action-13-raise-awareness-public-libraries-and-their-new-tasks-european-and

The survey will close on 9 September 2020 and only if the proposed action receives sufficient support, it will be included in the Urban Agenda for the EU. In order to take part in the voting, please click here: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/CultureAction13

Action 13: Raise awareness for public libraries and their new tasks on a European and National Level
https://ec.europa.eu/futurium/en/culturecultural-heritage/action-13-raise-awareness-public-libraries-and-their-new-tasks-european-and

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me!

Giuseppe Vitiello

Director, EBLIDA