Fwd: debate on libraries in EP Cultural Committee

[Marloth _at__ t-online.de (Heinz Marloth)]

Liebe KollegInnen,
den folgenden bericht von EBLIDA/PUBLICA leite ich gerne 
an sie weiter:

> Further to my earlier message, here a short report on the exchange of views
> on Ms Ryynaenen's working document "the role of libraries in the
> information society" that took place yesterday, 22 April in Brussels.
>
> Contributions were made by Ms Armelle Guinebertiere (France), Ms Mary
> Banotti (Ireland), Mr Hugh Kerr (UK), Mr Dietrich Elchlepp (Germany), Ms
> Doris Pack (Germany). Not many more MEPs attended the meeting.
>
> Ms Banotti asked for the state-of-the-art of the Green Paper and stressed
> the importance that libraries have for children. She raised the question
> whether citizens can get EU information in their local libraries. She also
> mentioned the importance of foundation libraries (gave US example).
>
> Ms Guinebertiere stressed the networking aspect and reflected on the
> structure of academic libraries. The Prague, Sarajevo and Coimbra libraries
> were mentioned. 
>
> Mr Kerr gave the library a central place in culture, learning and
> education, and stressed the importance of books and libraries. He raised
> concern that many libraries are struggling against cuts in funding and that
> good libraries are already taking up the challenges of IT. Regarding
> censorship he said that he agrees with the (British) Library Association
> that librarians should not excercise censorship. Important is also to give
> access to music via libraries for people that cannot afford to buy music.
> Training of librarians at appropriate level is necessary. Charging should
> be left to Member States to decide but EP should agree on the principle
> that libraries should be free and open to everybody.
>
> Mr Elchlepp suggested that public libraries should include quality videos
> in their collections and give advise to young people to be a real
> alternative to commercial videoshops. He could think of a European exchange
> of experience in this area. In addition he raised the question of the
> library's task relating to citizenship, refering to MEP Peter Pex' report
> about decentralization of EU information. Mr Elchlepp claimed that public
> libraries are excellent places for offering EU information, and that this
> idea should be given much more support by DG X. He also suggested to list
> as part of the recommendations possible programmes that could support the
> role of libraries in the IS.
>
> Ms Pack requested clarification of the term "content industry". After some
> confusion it was defined as software industry. (The EC definition includes
> here the production of everything that is content, no matter what the
> carrier of this content might look like).
>
> Ms Ryynaenen concluded the debate by stating that her emphasis of concern
> is on public libraries.  Copyright is a very important issue where a
> balance must be found. Networking on European level is important to raise
> the standards of libraries. The role of specialist libraries must be
> examined. It would be necessary to define the difference between a public
> and a special library. Libraries are not hindering but enhancing the
> commercial use of information materials.
>
> For the European Commission, Ms Ariane Iljon of DG XIII, stated that the
> own initiative report is regarded as an excellent basis for future
> development and discussion of the Green Paper. It is important to see in
> which direction the own-initiative report goes, beyond the indications
> already given in the Morgan report. She also recommended to MEPs to use
> their libraries and request assistance from the librarian if they wish to
> access the Libraries' Programme website and have not yet access to the
> Internet themselves.
>
> Mr Neville Keery, head of libraries, represented DG X at the meeting. He
> recommended to include the libraries of the EU institutions into the
> report. He also reported on the different providers of European information
> in the Member States to answer Ms Banotti's question. 
>
> The next meeting to debate the draft report will be on 19/20 May, adoption
> of the final report on 4 June.
>
> Best wishes,
> EBLIDA
> Barbara Schleihagen, Director
> Heidi Grootscholten, EU Policy Officer
> P.O. Box 43300  NL-2504 AH The Hague
> Tel: +31-70-309 06 08,  Fax: +31-70-309 07 08
> email: eblida _at__ nblc.nl,  http://www.kaapeli.fi/~eblida/

mfg   H.M.
--
Heinz Marloth, Seehofstrasse  15, D-60594 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Telefon: 069 - 61 23 94       eMail: marloth _at__ t-online.de
~~
Ueber EBLIDA wird ja im Bibliotheksdienst regelmaessig berichtet. 
Was ich dagegen vermisse, ist eine brauchbare Uebersicht ueber Ziele, 
deutsche Beteiligung und Zwischenergebnisse der EU-Projekte fuer 
Bibliotheken, z.B. CANDLE, DECOMATE II, DEDICATE, DERAL, DIEPER, 
EQUINOX, EULER, LAURIN, LIBERATOR, LISTED CEE, MALVINE, MIRACLE, 
NEDLIB, ONE-2, PRIDE, TECUP, VERITY und VILIB.
Oder habe ich vielleicht diesbezuegliche Stellungnahmen der BDB und 
der deutschen bibliothekarischen Verbaende uebersehen ??