A strong network of public libraries
Digital developments have given customers new expectations of libraries. Their needs are different than those of previous generations. The library sector will have to respond to these needs if they wish to continue attracting visitors.
A national strategy is necessary to avoid every library choosing its own method for change. Commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the Netherlands Institute for Public Libraries (SIOB) coordinates all plans aimed at renewing and strengthening the library sector.
Our mission
The Institute has been charged by the Ministry with the following network tasks:
- (Inter)national promotion and representation
- Information, reflection, debate and education
- Harmonization and coordination
- Adapted reading for the blind and visually impaired.
The Institute distinguishes seven programmes in carrying out these tasks:
1. Representation and cohesion
Main tasks in this field are maintaining (inter)national contacts, library advocacy, contributing to cooperation within the library network and with related sectors, as well as promoting innovative networking. This programme also monitors the consistency of all other programmes.
The Institute participates in (inter)national networks such as FOBID, IFLA, LIBER and NAPLE.
Contact: Maria Heijne, heijne@siob.nl (from August 1, 2011)
2. Research and knowledge
This programme may be regarded as the root of the Institute. It maps the position of the library sector in total, with its strengths and weaknesses, its threats and opportunities. This analysis forms the basis on which the other programmes are formulated.
Contact: Frank Huysmans, huysmans@siob.nl
3. Digital innovation
It is absolutely vital that libraries respond to all digital developments. Relevant content should be accessible in the simplest possible way for as large an audience as possible. For that reason the BNL Foundation (Bibliotheek.nl) works on creating a national digital infrastructure for all libraries which will also include a National Catalogue. The Institute monitors Bibliotheek.nl and adjusts if necessary.
Contact: Marian Pater, pater@siob.nl
4. Libraries in society
Libraries are essential services in municipalities. But also on this level there are threats and opportunities that demand new or more intense relations with the community. Cooperation with schools is particularly promising. Libraries need to stake a claim in contributing towards reading promotion, computer literacy and lifelong learning.
Contact: Norma Verheijen, maatschappelijke.verankering@siob.nl
5. Library education
In the coming years an estimated 40% of the existing staff will leave due to retirement. An important question for the sector is to find the necessary new staff.
In addition there is the way in which libraries and librarianship is changing. What are the consequences for the competences required of new employees? The Institute aims particularly at the development of an accredited initial education for library workers of the future on both graduate and undergraduate level, and for library technicians. Needless to say, cooperation will be looked for with existing initiatives such as the Library School.
Contact: Marian Pater, pater@siob.nl
6. Certification
To guarantee the quality of library services public libraries are assessed against standards that have been laid down by the Netherlands Public Library Association (VOB) and the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG). The separate Netherlands Institute for Public Library Certification is responsible for the assessments. SIOB supports the Certification Institute by carrying out the actual work.
In the year ahead, not only new standards for public libraries will be adopted, but also work will start on the possible certification of the Provincial Service Organisations. In addition the Institute advises the Ministry on the subject of new library legislation and investigates the effects of this legislation on the sector and the way it functions.
Contact: Gerard van Dijk, dijk@siob.nl
7. Adapted reading
The library service for the blind and the visually impaired is fully embedded in the public library service. The underlying thought being, that with an aging population there will be more people with visual disabilities who need to be served adequately.
The Institute ensures a good collection for the blind and visually impaired, contributes to the promotion of the collection and stimulate innovation, such as streaming of audio books.
Contact: Gerard van Dijk, dijk@siob.nl en Marja Geevers geevers@siob.nl
Partners
The most important partners of the Institute are the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the Netherlands Public Library Association, Bibliotheek.nl, FOBID and the Reading Foundation. Partners on an international level are IFLA, LIBER and NAPLE.
Background
The Netherlands Institute for Public Libraries (SIOB) has its origins in the Netherlands Public Library Association. Initiated by the legislature this was split in 2010 into three organisations. Besides the Institute (SIOB), these are the branch organisation (the Netherlands Public Library Association, VOB) and Bibliotheek.nl.
The reason for dividing the original association was that responsibility for the network as a whole does not always run along parallel lines with the representative functions of the branch organisation.
The public library network in the Netherlands comprises approximately 170 library organisations with a total of 1100 branches. The libraries are united in a trade organisation, the VOB.
The Netherlands Institute for Public Libraries is based in The Hague. Under contact you will find our address. And here is a list of our staff members.
