E-inclusion congress wants new role for librarians
More than 200 participants from 27 countries met to think about the future of public libraries in Europe. They regard the librarian as a guide in the internet world and no longer as a book collector. They also suggest that public libraries communicate more about the added value they can offer.
The European Congress on e-inclusion (ECEI10) “Delivering a digital Europe in public libraries" took place on 20 and 21 September in the Flemish Parliament in Brussels. The participants came to the following conclusions:
- The public library offers major added value and this should be made clear to the outside world.
- The librarian will be given a new role as a guide who makes users familiar with the internet and how they can use the web to learn new skills. The users and their questions are the focal point.
- The public library should look beyond its borders and enter into partnerships in which everyone can contribute their own knowledge and skills.
The conference took place in the framework of the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion and of the Digital Agenda for Europe. During the conference, the international Jodi Awards (EN) were awarded for the most accessible website. The prize went to Berlin für Blinde (DE), an innovative and extremely accessible website that offers the visually impaired new ways of visiting Berlin.
The conference was a joint initiative of Ingrid Lieten, Deputy Prime Minister of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister of the Media and Joke Schauvliege, Flemish Minister of Culture.
You will soon be able to find a detailed report about the conference on the conference website.
