It is important to lobby because about 80% of our national legislation originates from the European Union. This means that by the time a European Directive reaches your national shore, most of the policy has already been decided. So it is essential to have a say in the process that leads up to this decision. That’s where EBLIDA comes in. The job of EBLIDA is to lobby. We lobby the European Commission, European Parliament, Committee of the Regions and the Council of Ministers on behalf of European libraries and archives, in other words, on behalf of libraries and archives in fifteen EU member states and EEA states.

Lobbying means different things at different times. At its most intense, when a piece of legislation is imminent such as the second reading of the copyright Directive, it means spending long days at the European Parliament snatching meetings with busy MEPs, getting the library view across in minutes, navigating your way through complex political alliances, as well as countering the very powerful right owner lobby, which constantly sought to undermine the library position. This is the culmination of a much longer process, which includes forming strategic alliances with like-minded groups such as European university associations, disability and consumer groups. It means formulating and communicating the library views to key European policy makers. It involves building up trust and relationships, knowing the legislative process and when to be in the right place at the right time.

EBLIDA has established an expertise in lobbying on copyright and related issues, such as the public library lending right. With the legislative framework on copyright now in place, we are entering a new phase on the management of copyright. The European Commission is looking at the future development of collecting societies and the implementation of powerful digital rights management systems, both of key significance to libraries and their users. So copyright will remain a core part of our work.

But EBLIDA now has a broader portfolio of issues. We are lobbying to promote the role of libraries and culture in the new treaty which will follow enlargement of the European Union. This will result in high level political initiatives which will benefit everyone in the sector. We are active on the Commission proposal on the exploitation of public sector information, under threat from increased commercialisation; the key issue is maintaining access to core public sector information. We focus on freedom of expression, such as the threat to public libraries from the extreme right in France, and we support IFLA/FAIFE initiatives on the reconstruction of library services in Kosovo. We encourage the development of libraries and library associations in central and eastern Europe by taking part in EU funded projects such as PULMAN and CELIP. We join forces with the Council of Europe to write guidelines on library legislation which act as a yardstick for libraries throughout Europe. We are lobbying for the basic rate of VAT on electronic information, in a strategic partnership with publishers. We maintain our stand on the exclusion of library and education services from the WTO negotiations on services, in line with EU policy. We have been successful in promoting the role of libraries as active partners in European policy initiatives on lifelong learning, demonstrating how libraries can provide global resources in a local setting and how the skills of the librarian can bridge the gap between the traditional learning environment and the informal setting.

EBLIDA is a small secretariat with a large network and a flexible, democratic structure. The Executive Committee 2001-2003 comprises representatives from ten European countries representing all types of libraries as well as archives.

The EBLIDA Copyright Expert Group has nineteen members from thirteen countries who share experiences and expertise on copyright and related issues.

EBLIDA celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2002. Over the last ten years, EBLIDA has established a solid track record as a trusted representative of all types of libraries. As European policy makers become more aware of the importance of the user view in the digital environment, they need competent partners with whom to conduct a dialogue. For libraries and archives, this partner is EBLIDA. Libraries have demonstrated that having a voice in Europe gets results by successfully influencing the legislative process. As Europe becomes a world leader in implementing legislation for the digital age, EBLIDA is increasingly being sought by other regions of the world to give the European stance on library related issues.

On 3-4 May 2002 we celebrate our tenth anniversary in The Hague with a reception featuring the first European edible book, written by a Dutch children’s author, and with ingredients from all over Europe. We will have dinner in the unique location of the Peace Palace, home of the International Court of Justice, and a fine example of international co-operation because the furnishings have been donated from countries all over the world.

The success of EBLIDA is due to the commitment and support of its members throughout the years. If you would like to join EBLIDA or if you would like to know more about our work, please http://www.eblida.org/eblida/about.htm.