1. THE PORTUGUESE PUBLIC LIBRARIES NETWORK PROGRAM
NAPLE ASSEMBLY
THE HAGUE
9/05/2016
Margarida Oleiro
The Portuguese Agency for the Book, Archives and Libraries

2. GENERAL FIGURES ABOUT PORTUGAL
10, 5 million inhabitants
308 municipalities
2 levels of administration (mainland)
Central
Local
3 levels of administration on autonomous regions (Azores and Madeira)
87 million € (central government grants for public libraries between and 2015)

3. PUBLIC LIBRARIES PROGRAM SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths
Weaknesses
Number of libraries
Free services
Qualitiy of the premises
Number of librarians
Diversity of services
Political aim of the Program centerd on buildings construction
Libraries are no longer in the political agenda
Public disinvestment
No legislation/regulation and fiscalization
Deficit of managerial skills (librarian staff)

4. PUBLIC LIBRARIES SWOT ANALYSIS (cont.)
Opportunities
Threats
Libraries as makerspaces - A public space for diferent users, needs, purposes and interests
Community public service
Free services
A decreasing and older population in inland country
Closing of local public services (courts of justice, health services, schools, posts, etc.)
Cost-cutting policy (national and local level)

5. National strategy for public libraries
Although central government’s responsabilities regarding the development of public libaries are established in governmental program there isn´t a national strategy (at the moment)
We do not have a public library law/legislation
Former government merged national authority on books and public libraries with the national archives
We do not know if this model is to be continued with the new government
Meanwhile we (Libraries Department) have continued our work on behalf of public libraries

6. Libraries Department strategic plan waiting for political approval
Aims:
To promote a public library service of quality
To promote libraries’ networks
maximizing the investment already made and the resources available
How?
A new investment program for public libraries’ services (1 million €/year)
eBook lending model/service for public libraries
To comission a study to Lisbon University about the causes and reasons for the non-use of public libraries in Portugal
To grant the annual award – “Best Practices in public libraries” √
Participation in intermunicipal libraries network constitution √
Participation in three years Gates Foundation INELI’s Program: “International Network of Emerging Library Innovators” for iberian and latin american countries √
Participation on open access science nacional strategy working group as public libraries’ representative √

7. A new investment Program
Calls for funding for :
Mobile libraries (for libaries which do not have a public library service or intermunicipal networks)
Collections renewal
ICT updating
Staff qualification
Reading promotion
Priority to intermunicipal libraries’ networks

8. Participation and representation in national and international organizations and fóruns

9. Thank you! margaridaoleiro@dglab.gov.pt