International Network of Public Libraries searches for new member s!

[anja.friese _at__ Bertelsmann.de]

Sorry for crossposting!

> Accepting the challenges of the future: 
> learning together, implementing successfully.
> 
> Innovative solutions developed by practitioners for practitioners
> - that is the overall objective of the International Network of
> Public Libraries which was created in 1996 at the initiative
> of the Bertelsmann Foundation in G> ütersloh (Germany).
> 
> The Network currently consists of 18 library practitioners from
> 11 countries (Australia, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, 
> Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand, Netherlands, Sweden, USA). 
> It pools international know-how, supports the development of 
> successful management concepts and promotes their practical 
> implementation. Two of the principles of success of the Network
> are "seeing beyond the end of one's nose" and the fast and 
> intensive exchange of experience.
> 
> For the fourth project phase (January 2001 to July 2002) we are
> now looking for five practitioners with outstanding experience and 
> success in innovative library work to add to our Network.
> 
> The members of the Network jointly prepare research reports on
> priority issues working either together in small groups of authors or 
> individually. In the process they consider international experience
> in the field and analyse particularly successful case studies. In the 
> subsequent discussion within the Network the reports are examined
> for their model character and their transferability. The objective is to
> develop future-oriented concepts that can, as a matter of principle,
> be applied in all the countries of the Network.
> 
> The Bertelsmann Foundation provides financial and organizational
> support for the Network and offers a budget for the research and 
> publication of the reports. Besides this, expenses for travelling and 
> accommodation for the biannual Network conferences will be covered 
> by the Bertelsmann Foundation.
> 
> The following four subjects can be selected from in the fourth
> project phase:
> 
> Staff and organization
> * What innovative strategies exist in the field of staff recruitment?
> * Which occupational groups should be represented in the future
> public library? 
> * How should management and teamwork be organized? 
> * What effect do service requirements have on library staff? 
> * What could an ideal training program for library staff look like?
> 
> Learning from others
> * What can public libraries learn from other institutions in the profit
> or non-profit sector? 
> *Which part do public libraries play in the information market? 
> * What results from the competition of public libraries with other 
> libraries or service providers in the information business?
> 
> Services
> * How can the existing offerings of public libraries be expanded
> by personalized services? 
> * What could up-to-date library youth services and offerings look like?
> 
> New technologies
> * How can a public library effectively plan and integrate physical 
> and virtual offerings? 
> * Which kind of Internet offerings and services should be developed 
> for which target groups? 
> * Which part will software agents and artificial intelligence 
> (i. e. avatars) play in the future public library?
> 
> Are you interested in one of the above mentioned topics, and
> which aspect in particular? Do you have practical experience 
> in one of these fields? Or would you perhaps like to suggest 
> another current topic?
> 
> Are you a successful practitioner of public library management, 
> and do you have at least five years professional experience in
> an executive position?
> 
> Are you open-minded vis-à-vis international experience and
> interested in innovative methods from other countries?
> 
> Are you influential in your national library scene, and are you
> prepared to disseminate the results of the Network?
> 
> Do you have good English, and are you willing to communicate> 
> by e-mail?
> 
> 
> We would be happy to receive your application. 
> Please send your application documents (preferably by e-mail) 
> by 15 October 2000 to the
> 
> Bertelsmann Foundation
> Public Libraries Division
> Ms. Anja Friese
> Carl-Bertelsmann-Str. 256
> D-33311 Guetersloh
> Germany
> E-mail: anja.friese _at__ bertelsmann.de
> Tel: ++ 49 / 52 41 /  81 72 02
> Fax: ++ 49 / 52 41 / 81 60 98
> 
> It would help the selection process if you could supply the 
> following information in your application:
> 
> Information about yourself
> - vita
> - short description of your current activities (300-500 words)
> - preferred topic and first ideas for your possible contribution
> 
> Description of your library
> - number of libraries and branches
> - number of inhabitants in your city
> - size of collection
> - number of full-time employees
> - opening hours per week
> - annual budget
> - annual turnover
> - number of lendings per inhabitant
> - number of visits per inhabitant
> - mission statement of your library
> - medium and long term goals and objectives of your library
> - important developments in your library in the last three years
> 
> Other materials like annual reports or programs will also be 
> very welcome.
> 
> The new members will be selected by the current participants of
> the Network and the Bertelsmann Foundation.
> 
> The next Network conference will probably be held in March 2001.
> 
> For further information about the International Network of Public
> Libraries and the Bertelsmann Foundation please visit our
> homepage http://www.stiftung.bertelsmann.de
> 
> If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me
> at any time.
> 
> Anja Friese
> Referentin / Program Officer
> Bereich Öffentliche Bibliotheken / Division of Public Libraries
> Bertelsmann Stiftung / Bertelsmann Foundation
> Carl-Bertelsmann-Str. 256
> D-33311 Gütersloh
> Tel: ++ 49 / 52 41 / 81 72 02
> Fax:++ 49 / 52 41 / 81 60 98
> http://www.stiftung.bertelsmann.de
> 
>