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EBLIDA, the European Bureau of Library, Information and
Documentation Associations, is an independent, non-profit umbrella organization
of national library, information, documentation and archive associations in
Europe. EBLIDA represents the interests of its members to the European
Institutions with a focus on information society issues, including copyright,
culture, education and EU enlargement. EBLIDA promotes an unhindered access to
information, culture and knowledge in the digital age.
We were informed by our colleagues-libraries, hosting an Info-Point Europe about
decisions taken by the Directorate-General DG Press and Communication. Referring
to the new financial regulations (1/1/2003), it was decided on September 29,
2003 to cancel the contracts with the host organisations of the Info Points
Europe and EU-Carrefour, or to replace them by a contract without the annual
operating grants of 20.000 Euro.
A large number of these 144 Info Points Europe serving the general population is
located in a regional library, which serves as the host organisation, based on
an agreement with the European Commission. As these Info-Points are related to
the larger public library networks, they reach the larger part of the population
of the European Member States. Therefore they are an important instrument of the
information policy of the European Union towards the citizen.
We are concerned that on this short notice and without subsidy for 2004 and
coming years, the European information services to the general public by public
libraries cannot be continued. This is dramatic in a time where a number of
important European issues are at stake: Enlargement, Constitution, Elections
etc., which need the support and involvement of European citizens.
Defending the interests of the library and archive sector, and their services to
the citizens in Europe we urgently request you, to find an immediate solution to
continue the subsidies for 2004 and to provide a solid financial framework for
the years to come.
We also recommend that the European Commission makes more use of the existing library networks and professional field of librarians, archivists and documentalists, in its information and communication services to European citizens.
Yours sincerely,
Jan-Ewout van der Putten
President
The Hague, 29 October 2003