Info Points Europe Direct in the Netherlands

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Info Points Europe Direct in the Netherlands

• Marian Koren
• Netherlands Public Library Association
• koren_at_debibliotheken.nl

Split, October 4, 2005
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Netherlands Public Library Associationwww.debibli
otheken.nl/english

• Association 473 library members
• National Public Library Institute innovation,
  quality, network, ict, reading promotion
• Expert centre Laurens ict and staff development

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Public library network 1123 public
libraries 1800 mobile stops 4,3 mln
members 157 mln loans
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Why Information about Europe in Public
Libraries?

• Access to information
• Public Information service
• Similar to other government information
• Supporting citizenship
• Participating in society
• New opportunities work, education,
  travel-cultural exchange

Information about Europe in public libraries in
the Netherlands
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Info-Point Europe Direct
European citizenship
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Integrated information policyof public libraries

• Europe-information is part of community
  information/public information
• community information is basic task of public
  libraries as information centres
• integrated information policy
• handbook
• training
• materials

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Transition since the European Commissions New
information and Communication PolicyInfo Points
Europe (and Carrefours) changing into Europe
Direct in 2005

Information about Europe in public libraries in
the Netherlands
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Introduction

• By information relay, one must understand a
  decentralised structure, a place of proximity
  which informs the citizens on the EU and its
  policies.
• Relays are privileged partners of the Commission
  to which they are connected by contractual
  relationships.
• The relay is entitled to receive technical,
  documentary, or even financial assistance by the
  Commission.
• It belongs to a European network and is allowed
  to use the logo common to all these networks
  called Information relays of the EU, now
  Europe Direct
• IP Europe Direct is an information relay
  belonging to a European network of the DG Press.

General information Information Relays of
the European Union - Info Points Europe Direct
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The role of the IPED

• The role of the IPED is
• to provide general information on the European
  Union, its institutions and its policies
• to inform and promote the use of the programmes
  adopted by the EU which might have an impact on
  life in urban areas
• to disseminate Community information at local and
  regional level
• to give an initial response to any request for
  information on the EU and refer people, if
  necessary, to more appropriate sources
• to feed back information to the European
  Commission
• to take part in the debate about EU by holding
  seminars, meetings, debates etc...

General information Information Relays of the
European Union - Info Points Europe Direct
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The role of the IPEDs

• The IPEDs are addressing, on one hand, the
  general public and, on the other hand, special
  target groups such as local associations and
  authorities, schools, local media and other
  special groups.
• They have many activities targeting specifically
  a young audience.
• They are pro-active centres organising events and
  cultural activities to promote European issues

General information Information Relays of
the European Union - Info Points Europe Direct
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Host structures
IPED are established within a host organization
which manages it either alone or in
partnership. Regional Governments
Provinces/Municipalities/Communities/City
Councils Prefectures Public Libraries Chambers
of Commerce Associations
Host Information Relays of the European Union
- Info Points Europe Direct
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Agreement

• The IPED is established under agreement between
  the Commission and the host organization
• The agreement defines the reciprocal obligations.
  
• As Europe Direct relay, there is a general
  agreement for four years, with an annual
  confirmation contract

Contractual relations Information Relays of
the European Union - Info Points Europe Direct
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How do the IPED come into contact with the
public?

• Location
• Special events
• Promotional campaigns
• Services, tools

Relations with public Information Relays
of the European Union - Info Points Europe Direct

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Development in the Netherlands

• 12 IPEDs established in 1996
• situated in and performed by public libraries
• division and specialisation of subjects
• related to the public library network
• coordination by NPLA, Netherlands public library
  association

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Network of Info-Points Europe Direct in the
Netherlands
NPLA
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New approach to public information services

• Community information daily problems, democratic
  rights, focusing on information have-nots
• Active supply seeking the adequate answer to a
  specific question
• Providing help and advice, referral services
• One stop shop in specialised network

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Information needs and self-help

• Consumer information
• Health information
• Information about Education
• (Local) government Europe
• Information about work and social security
• Information on legal and financial affairs

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• IPEDs connected to
• Public Library Network
• Visitors in public libraries having an IPED
  8.621.000
• National information campaign through
• 1115 public libraries
• Europa-binder with leaflets in all libraries
• National library campaigns on Euro etc.

The Netherlands Information Relays of the
European Union - Info Points Europe Direct
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IPED activities

• Information, supply, advice
• Promotion, exhibition
• Integrated in the annual exhibition and activity
  programme of the library
• Example Almere
• Local website
• Local/regional Training
• Integrated distribution of materials

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IPED Network

• national co-ordination
• Coordinated Working Group
• IPED-Meeting twice a year
• Annual Working Plan,
• Division of Tasks, co-operation
• National information distribution system
• Special projects
• Discussion-list Info-Europa-L
• national training
• information markets
• outreach activities

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Promotion of IPED-Network

• 2-3 articles a year in Public Library Journal
• All IPEDs on Website at national library
  portal-NPLA
• Connected to regional IPED-websites
• Local/Regional library contacts
• Regional contacts with EDC, EIC
• National contacts with European organisations

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National Promotion Activities

• national/provincial coordinators
• handbook, checklist, package
• banners, leaflets, bags, games, videos, CD
• press-information
• local information session
• exhibitions
• lectures

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Example National library action on the euro

• During One week
• 1150 public libraries involved
• cooperation with organisations for the elderly
  and banks
• NPLA distributes materials

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Campaign on Enlargement and IPED Bulletin Board
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Working Group Activities

• Annual programme
• Subgroups
• Stock of information
• Distribution of materials
• Public Relations, promotion
• ICT-applications and services

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IPED co-workers of the Netherlands
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Cooperation with other organisations

• Speakers from Team Europe
• European Parlementarians
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
• and others
• Youth organisations
• Embassies

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Reference service for students and learners

• Cooperation in regional reference teams
• Al_at_din personal reference at www.bibliotheek.nl
• 3329 visits 903 queries a day
• Increase in children and young people
• 48 for school, studies
• 39 for personal interest

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Library portal Bibliotheek.nl and digital
reference service Al_at_din

• Information desk on the internet
• Answering questions
• Knowledge data base
• Domain specialization Europe
• Solving queries together
• Promotion in co-operation

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Youths Right to information

• freedom of expression
• access to information
• information about rights
• Students
• European Citizens
• Intergenerational Programmes
• Qualified services

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Co-operation with Eurodesk
The network will serve as a special regional
service for the distribution of Eurodesk
information to young people. A campaign has been
launched called Go Europe?!
Network Information Relays of the European
Union - Info Points Europe Direct
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• Co-operation of 4 national services related to
  youth and Europe
• Network of IPEDs and regional Youth Information
  Points
• Website www.go-europe.nl
• Common Training
• Newsletter

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• International practice
• Secundary schools
• Higher education
• Vocational education
• Language studies
• Essay and lecture aid
• Certificate qualification
• Other education links

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Most relevant activities

• Activities with schools
• Exhibitions
• Workshops and seminars on funding
• and EU programmes
• Newsletter (electronic or paper version)

Activities Information Relays of the
European Union - Info Points Europe Direct
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• Special events
• "Europabakelsen" (la patisserie de
  l'Europe/European pastry) competition.
• On initiative of Info Point Europe, the bakery
  high school Ester Mosessons in Göteborg
  challenged the other 28 bakery highschools in
  Sweden to create the European pastry. Several
  organisations representing the bakers and the
  producers participated in the organisation of the
  competition.
• The cake is now sold all over Sweden (and
  Europe?) on the 9th of May, every year hereafter!
  The winner is sent on a trip to Brussels to visit
  Belgian chocolate producers - and the European
  Institutions! The Pastry was served in Brussels,
  at Restaurant Victoria in Sweden House, Rue du
  Luxembourg the 9th of May.

Sweden Information Relays of the European
Union - Info Points Europe Direct
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• Promotional campaigns
• Europa in tour was the name and the logo of the
  campaign
• 2 networks involved IPEDs and Carrefours with
  the support of EC Representation in Milano and
  Roma
• Period October 1998 March 1999
• 12.550 Km run
• 35 cities reached
• more than 50 schools met
• 5000 post cards collected addressed to the
  President of the EC and the President of the EP
• Potential development
• The equipped Infobus (with different side panels)
  could be hired out for similar initiatives in
  other countries and/or used for common European
  campaigns.

Italy Information Relays of the European Union
- Info Points Europe Direct
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• A national website on Europe information
• The website of Europe information is a major
  channel for distribution of information to the
  public.
• All major publications produced by Europe
  Information (books, articles, brochures, maps
  and directories, links contact info) can be
  found on the web.
• The website also gives specific information on
  each Info Point as well as a comprehensive guide
  book to contact information on networks involved
  with EU.
• Interesting columns are Top ten (subjects most
  frequently enquired) and Peoples opinions on the
  impacts of EU membership

Finland Information Relays of the European
Union - Info Points Europe Direct
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Exchange programme

• The objectives of the programme are
• to organise a study trip to another IPED in order
  to share experiences in how to organise
  documentation, see how an information centre of
  comparable nature functions, know better the
  activities developed for a special target group,
  study the solutions brought to identical problems
• to carry out, training visits in an IPED of their
  own country
• to strengthen co-operation and the network
  process
• to provide aid to setting up of project of
  European dimension
• Each exchange lasts 3 days at the maximum.

Organization Information Relays of the
European Union - Info Points Europe Direct
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Example of exchanges

• With other IPEDs also hosted in a public library
• Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany
• With same language neighbours Belgium
• Exchange through visits and presentations
• Target groups, arrangement of materials, website,
  special programmes, promotion

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Current situation in the Netherlands

• 13 Europe Direct (10 former IPEDs and 3 former
  Carrefours)
• Agreements for 4 years and annual contracts as of
  1st of April 2005
• Max. Budget 20.000 euro per InfoPoint (was 7800
  euro)
• Preserve the IPED network (2 former IPEDs
  included as satellites)
• Continue general website, Al_at_din service, Europe
  dossiers
• In discussion relation with the Association
  common promotion, representation, library
  campaigns

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Recent Library Campaign regarding NL referendum
on European Constitution

• National activities
• Coordinated portal http//www.onafhankelijkeinfor
  matie.nl/
• http//www.bibliotheek.nl/
• Aladin reference service Europe team
• Press releases
• E-card
• Distribution of leaflets, campaign material
• Local activities
• Information market in the library
• Debate with parlementarians
• Local press

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Results of the coordinated national action,
making use of existing products and services

• 20.000 visitors at the site (1 month)
• 400 e-cards
• 90 queries for Al_at_din, Europe team
• 74 reations on statements presented by
  politicians
• Two local radio stations interviewed colleagues
• Very high on the list of Search results in Google
• Regional and local press took up the press
  release
• Many libraries put the banner on their websites

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 Content Example Europe Direct Information
Seminar (September 2005)

• European Commission Action Plan Communicating
  Europe
• Procedures for the operation of a relay
  programming of activities, management and
  reporting (and support services from DG PRESS)
• J. Lombardi European Commission
• Access to EU Publications and to the EU
  legislation the EU Bookshop (and the new
  EurLex/Celex database (functionalities for
  relays))
• Hilde Van Loon (Head of Promotions and Marketing
  section Publications Office)
• Practical experiences of three colleagues
  (Sweden, Germany and Belgium)
• Focus on public library activities for young
  people and immigrants

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One comment New ideas from the seminar

• Organising training days for
• Teachers in primary education EUropa at school.
• Teachers in secondary education
• Students in journalism?
• Students in teacher education
• Teacher education of geography, history,
  economy, society
• Developing Europe suitcases together with
  students
• General information session with the general
  public what are they doing in the EU?