European Public Libraries Presentation to the Global Libraries team Seattle - February 18th 2014

Reading & Writing Foundation Partnerships & alliances Close to people: families, healthcare, businesses, local governments Language for Life

WHY?

PL2030 BMGF Global Libraries programme Investment in EU countries Consolidation of efforts and information Change perception of EU decision-makers Create demand for library services Open up opportunities for funding

Programme Advocacy Communications People

Community – Digital Access – learning European Union EU Advocacy Mapping DG Connect – Digital Agenda DG EAC– Lifelong learning DG Employment & Social affairs European Commission European Parliament   MEPs Council of Ministers   National Agencies National Government Municipal level Society – LOCAL SOLUTIONS Community – Digital Access – learning Could be too much Business Libraries Adult Education/LLL Book publishers? Social Organisations Other public service providers

Long-term perspective EP Elections EP Elections Launch post 2020 strategy First round evaluations EU 2020 New Commission Public consultations / negotiations Internal first drafts Start of 7 year financial framework Most programmes and policies adopted for 2014. European Elections in May 2014 – every 5 years Change of the European Commission end 2014 Implementation new programmes New internal draft programmes New programmes adopted MFF 2020-2027 First round programme evaluations Public consultations

Short- to mid-term opportunities Post EP elections New Commission Upcoming EU Presidencies – Lativa/NL

People Build up a network of library champions and advocates EU advisory group High-level think-tank Connect other initiatives/sectors

Communications Website coming online – soon! Social media/newsletter Events planned for Autumn 2014 Helpdesk+ Aggregate and present library data Small grants funding programme

Our Brussels Team Ilona KISH – Programme Director Agniete KURUTYTE – Programme Officer Jelle VENNIK – Assistant to H.R.H. Princess Laurentien Vacant spot for project assistant

International work UNESCO Special Envoy on Literacy for Development, since 2009 Chaired EU High Level Group of Experts on Literacy (final report in 2012) Strategic Consultant for European Public Libraries programme Involved in other projects, not always with formal role (e.g. Matuto) Access! Husband is Head of Cabinet at DG Connect

NAPLE How best to co-operate? What are the limitations of advocacy? What would be useful for you - short-term and long-term

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