13/05/2005

An initiative of particular importance for supporting the co-operation and networking of public and municipal libraries is currently in progress in various areas of Greece. It is the "Public Libraries - International Partnerships and Regional Networks" programme, and it is being implemented by the Committee for the support of Libraries, a group of Greek and international organisations created in order to contribute to the development of public and municipal libraries in Greece.

The following bodies are members of the group: Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs, Greek Librarian Association, National Library of Greece, National Documentation Centre, National Book Centre, European Commission, Goethe-Institut Athens, Goethe-Institut Thessaloniki, Instituto Cervantes, Institut Fran?ais d? Ath?nes, IRC U.S. Embassy, Athens.

The attraction of new users and the development and evaluation of new services are major concerns for libraries and librarians in all countries. The key to the effective resolution of local problems appears to be an international exchange of views and experiences. In this context, the "Public Libraries ? International Partnerships and Regional Networks" programme is of particular importance for training librarians, since it is aimed at transmitting international experiences to Greek librarians through a series of workshops conducted by foreign scientists, to be held throughout Greece. In addition to reinforcing international co-operation and supporting the exchange of views and experiences at international level, the main objectives of the programme are to retrain librarians and to reinforce local co-operation networks.

The public and municipal libraries taking part in the programme have chosen subjects of considerable importance for their operation and development. The Organising Committee invites experts from other countries, and the libraries participating in the programme undertake to organise the local workshops, with the assistance of the foreign educational/cultural institutes. Only persons employed in local public and municipal libraries may participate in the workshops. However, any interested persons may attend the lectures.

The full programme and the conclusions of the workshops/seminars to be held up to the end of September 2005 will be published on the web page http://www.goethe.de/ins/gr/prj/inp/pgr/elindex.htm