Library staff are heartily invited to join Utrecht University Library for an International
Staff Training Week, November 13-17, 2023. The overall topic is ‘the Future Proof
Library’.

University libraries are increasingly faced with new technologies, ongoing digitalization
and changing needs of researchers and students. These developments affect all aspects
of the library. During this staff week we focus on the challenges and changes we
experience in the field of accessibility and findability of scholarly information.

Utrecht University Library takes great pleasure in fostering the exchange of knowledge
and experiences on a wide range of topics, including:

• Linked Open Data;
• Metadata
• Opening up the collections (e.g. digitization).

The programme will include Utrecht University staff presentations, participant
presentations, and interactive sessions. Participants will be afforded valuable
opportunities to engage in knowledge exchange, learn from one another, and actively
partake in enriching discussions.

We cordially invite applications from dedicated professional library staff currently
employed in universities or other research-oriented libraries, experienced in promoting
accessibility and facilitating the discoverability of scholarly information. We kindly request each applicant to share insights into their ongoing projects, their alignment with the programme’s objectives, and their expectations for the training experience.

Working language
The working language is English. We highly recommend at least a B2 (CEFR) level in
communication.

Registration
European colleagues participating in the programme must be in receipt of Erasmus Staff Mobility programme funding form their home institutions. The deadline for applying is Friday, August 18th, 2023. We invite you to fill in the online application form.

The 31^st EBLIDA Council & Conference and 2^nd EBLIDA-NAPLE-PL2030 Event will take place in Luxembourg, in the National Library, on 18-19 April 2023. 

Monday 17th of April, Internal Meetings – EBLIDA members only

• Executive Board.
• EBLIDA’s Council meeting.

Tuesday 18th April EBLIDA Conference

Theme:  Who is afraid of library power? Empowering citizens for a democratic and sustainable society.

Wednesday 19th April

• 2nd EBLIDA NAPLE PL2030 event: A serial crisis: how libraries are looking at their future.
• EBLIDA ERASMUS founded event.

Thursday, 20th April – Library Visit (free)

A guided library visit will be offered (in English) of the award-winning Luxembourg Learning Centre (University Library of Luxembourg) in Esch/Belval, Southern Luxembourg. (Library Visits require pre-registration. Please reserve your spot when registering.)

For further information on the programme, please see the website: https://eblida2023.sciencesconf.org/resource/page/id/1p

The nominations process for IFLA’s extraordinary election for a new President-elect and Treasurer open. There are six weeks for candidates to come forward, and for Members and Affiliates to submit nominations.

More information about each role and the requirements for candidates can be found on the relevant pages for the President-elect and Treasurer, including links to submit applications. The deadline for nominations is on 6 June 2022, and further information about the process will be available on the IFLA main elections page.

The FOBID board encourages Dutch candidates to respond.

For more information go to the IFLA website.

Klaas Gravesteijn will be the new director of the Vereniging van Openbare Bibliotheken (VOB) (Association of Public Libraries ) from 1 July 2021. He currently works as a policy advisor for association affairs at the VOB.

Interim chair Anne Rube: ‘The board considers it of great added value that Klaas ensures continuity. We are also pleased with his qualities, potential and great commitment to and feeling for the sector and the relationships within it.’

Klaas Gravesteijn: ‘Libraries have an incredibly important function in society. I am happy to contribute to strengthening this. The VOB must be an association for, by and with the members, with an eye and attention for the diversity of the members. In addition, we can continue to grow in our role as a serious and reliable discussion partner for government authorities, stakeholders, and parties in the library network. With the library covenant, we have laid a solid foundation for the collaboration, which we will expand in the coming years.’

Virtual, October – November 2021

This four-part virtual symposia series will explore community-centric approaches to librarianship that push practitioners and scholars into innovative directions. Much has occurred in the last decade that has highlighted the importance of recognizing how institutional oppression and systems of power, global pandemics, and international perspectives inform librarianship. We are seeking abstract submissions for ideas and approaches that can guide the field over the next decade and address the following areas:

• Equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Post-neutrality librarianship
• International influences
• A “new normal” agenda in a COVID-affected world

Symposia sessions will be streamed live, free of charge.

Please visit the symposia series website to propose contributions by May 30, 2021.

More information on the website.

The Dr. P.A. Tiele-Stichting is devoted to promoting the study of the book in past and present. Its activities include publishing scholarly books and articles and organising symposia and lectures. Recently, the Tiele-Stichting has developed a Fellowship Programme to stimulate research in the field of books and reading in the Netherlands and Flanders.

Each year, two Tiele Fellows will receive financial support and research assistance. One of the Fellows will study an aspect of book and reading culture in the past, the other will study an aspect in the present.

At the request of CDNL (Conference Of Directors Of National Libraries) and in collaboration with IFLA, the KB (the National Library of the Netherlands) has conducted a study into the impact of COVID-19 on national libraries. The report provides insight into the influence of COVID-19 on the organization and the changes in the services of 55 national libraries.