the national library of latvia: shaping the future in the new eastern europe
TRANSCRIPT
THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF LATVIA:THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF LATVIA: Shaping the Future in the New Eastern EuropeShaping the Future in the New Eastern Europe
INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONSHAPING LATVIA’S FUTURE
Enhance Latvia’s competitive position in the world economy
Acceleration of IT infrastructure development Enhance democratic participation in the
Baltic Region through information access Create a fully integrated library network
nationwide to support Latvia’s educational system
Preserve Latvia’s cultural heritage Provide support for economic development
and manpower training initiatives
INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION (continued) (continued)
NEW BUILDING AS A VEHICLE TO THE FUTURE Vision of a new library during the
“Perestroika” era
Gunnar Birkerts design for the “Castle of Light” emerges in 1988
Development of a project management team
Public investment in a “knowledge society” with a $ 120 million project
INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION (continued) (continued)CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CHALLENGES IN THE NEW EASTERN
EUROPE Obtaining UNESCO recognition and gaining
international visibility for the project
Creation of non-profit fundraising foundation to carry out the campaign at home and abroad
Building a long-term outlook in contemporary Latvian society
The challenge of inventing politically acceptable financing mechanisms
A. THE NLL IN TRANSITION FORMATION OF LIBRARY UPON ACHIEVING INDEPENDENCE:
National Library was established in 1919 with collections in Latvian and foreign languages, with holdings of one million volumes by 1940
The National Library became the official agency of the National Bibliography
Created and maintained a Union Catalog
Provide user services for the support of new democratic institutions
A Look Back at a Turbulent History IMPACT OF THE SOVIET ERA :
Emphasis of the collection changed to serve Communist ideology
For nearly 50 years, access to history and western foreign language collections was severely restricted
Many cultural archives and collections were destroyed during the Soviet occupation
Contacts abroad were controlled and information censored
Almost no funding was dedicated to collections care, information resources and building maintenance by the Soviet regime
The Current Situation in Latvia
New library legislation has been adopted
Library development strategy has been included within the national government programs on Informatics and Culture
Government oversight and coordination mechanisms for libraries have been put into operation
The Current Situation in Latvia (cont)
Concept of virtual libraries has been fully accepted by library users
Processes such as digitization and retrospective conversion of data have begun
New services are offered to library users in Latvia primarily in electronic form
Libraries develop free access points to the Internet
Many libraries in Latvia participate in different international projects
The Current Situation in Latvia (cont) Financing of libraries is still far from adequate
Library personnel are motivated for professional life-long learning and careers
Computer literacy is common among new library recruits.
Professional salaries in libraries typically do not exceed $150/month
Many specialists, especially younger ones, do not continue working in libraries after acquiring computer skills; they gravitate to higher paying jobs in the private sector
The NLL’s Mission Today
FOSTER REINTEGRATION INTO THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, INCLUDING:
To facilitate the development of the cultural and intellectual elements of Latvian society
To preserve Latvian culture through an integrated library network
To provide full and free access to information resources for people of all backgrounds
To support individual growth and understanding and encourage private business enterprise
NLL’s Vision for the Future To stimulate cultural revival and development in the
Eastern European and Baltic Regions
To support the nation’s goal to participate actively in Baltic, European and global economy
Share Latvia’s cultural heritage with the world community
To provide critical information resources for the national educational system
To help build a competitive work force
To provide free public access to global information systems
Bridge image
Gunnar Birkerts’ design for new National Library of Latvia
Basic Assumptions Governing the New Latvian National Library Project
Completion of the new building project including a national library information network is a fundamental precondition of forming a “knowledge society” in Latvia
The project goal will have been met when universal access to information services is offered to the general public in Latvia
The primary institutions responsible for implementing this goal are libraries
Basic Assumptions Governing the New Latvian National Library Project (cont)
Implementation of this assignment will be accomplished by a National Unified Information System (NUIS)
All libraries nationwide will be guaranteed access to the unified information system
Access to resources will be supported by the virtual library project
Basic Assumptions Governing the New Latvian National Library Project (cont)
Document delivery will be made available both in hard copy and electronic form
All libraries in Latvia will serve as public access points
Libraries will need to create facilities for remote access of various information services
The National Library of Library will serve as the central portal for information dissemination
PROJECT SUPPORT UNESCO Resolution
GENERAL CONFERENCE VOTES UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR THE NLL PROJECT IN 1999
“Recalling the appeal for international support for the National Library of Latvia project made by the President of Latvia at the 155th session of the Executive Board, on 22 October 1998,
Considering the intention of the national authorities to make the National Library of Latvia a multifunctional centre contributing to the safeguarding and promotion of cultural heritage, providing access to educational, scientific and cultural information, and encouraging cultural diversity and inter-ethnic knowledge and understanding,
Conscious of the importance of this project for cultural development and co-operation in Latvia and the Baltic region as whole,
Calls upon the Member States and international community to provide all possible support for the implementation of this project.”
Creating a New Library for a New LatviaCreating a New Library for a New Latvia
LATVIA IS BUILDING A NEW HOME FOR ITS NATIONAL LIBRARY. IT WILL BE DEDICATED TO:
Safeguarding the library’s priceless collection
Providing the public with open access to 5 million volumes and unlimited access to global information resources
Establishing a state of the art communications environment
Building Latvia’s image globally
Preparing Latvia’s residents for full participation in the global information age
Rendering of new building superimposed on left bank of Daugava River, Riga
Building a New National LibraryBuilding a New National Library Library Functions Library’s functional program needs based on an
analysis of the requirements of 21st century library functions and structures
User areas with:1,200 computer-ready reader stations335,000 volume open stack shelving access
Stack core providing:Compact storage for 6,165,000 volumes (including space for a 25 year reserve)
Work rooms for 400 employees
Schematic of new building
Schematic view of new building showing atrium.
Elevation against skyline
Elevation of new building superimposed against Old Riga skyline to show scale.
IT Infrastructure RequirementsIT Infrastructure Requirements All reader and employee work stations will be in the
local network; i.e. wireless communications
• “Internet 2” communication technologies
• External connection: fiber-optic cable
• Centralized IT administration
• Data storage capabilities in measurable terabytes
• Data flow, monitoring and control: 24/7
Provide Multi-Purpose Support InfrastructureProvide Multi-Purpose Support Infrastructure
Restaurant and catering services Conference center 350 seat lecture hall Exhibition galleries Retail services including library shop Vestibule with 10 story atrium Technical support area (IT/business center) 300 car parking garage
PROJECT MANAGEMENTPROJECT MANAGEMENT
Selection of a quality project management team which ensures
quality control, effective time management and cost control
Developing project auditing systems to assure fiscal responsibility
Building local involvement and participation
Explaining and teaching western construction management techniques to the building and IT industries
THE COMPLEXITY OF THE PROJECT REQUIRES A SOUND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, INCLUDING:
Coordinating the country’s library and information system activities
NLL’S LIBRARY PARTNERSHIPS:
Library Information Network ConsortiaLibrary Information Network ConsortiaChildren's Literature CenterChildren's Literature CenterPublic Library ServicePublic Library ServiceUnion CatalogueUnion CatalogueNational BibliographyNational BibliographyInter-library loan and document deliveryInter-library loan and document deliveryProfessional Continuing Education CenterProfessional Continuing Education Center
The changingThe changing role of the library role of the library in the new Eastern Europe in the new Eastern Europe
The role of the library today has changed – it is no longer simply a repository of printed matter.
The 21st century library in Eastern Europe must: Offer comprehensive information services to
interested persons of all ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds
Organize cooperation between international and local information sources to make Latvia competitive in the global marketplace
Place the user at the center of the library to ensure personal growth and development
Provide free access and user training
C. THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CHALLENGE
Approval of law authorizing National Library of Latvia project
Government guaranteed financing mechanism to be implemented
Soft loan is required to permit non-interrupted cash flow
C. THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CHALLENGE
Create fund raising strategy
Build public and private sector partnerships for fund raising
Maintain critical role of UNESCO involvement
Obtain counsel and financial support from Council of Europe and European Union
In-kind support from various countries
Poster