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Description
The professionalization of the Association, the expansion of the membership, the preparation of strategic and communication materials, managerial training.
The Czech Republic has a dense network of public libraries (about 5 libraries per 10,000 inhabitants). Of the 5 317 institutions, 804 libraries have professional staff. In 2018, libraries carried 4.5 million loans, held 120,000 events. Libraries have a strong tradition in the Czech Republic and their activity is positively evaluated by the public. They make information, education, and culture accessible to a wide range of inhabitants, especially the socially disadvantaged.
The aim of the project is to professionalize the Czech Republic Libraries Association in order to provide adequate services to libraries, at the same time to strengthen cooperation with the membership base, but also with non-member libraries and other entities. For this purpose, we would like to establish cooperation with a professional organization from abroad, which will allow us to look into their processes, and with their help, we would like to build a functional Association that will provide actual support to the library management in the Czech Republic.
Summary of project results
The project played a crucial role in strengthening and modernizing the library sector in the Czech Republic. This was achieved both by enhancing library services and by improving management and professionalism within SDRUK CR, ultimately contributing to the overall development of library services.
Although the pandemic caused delays in planned activities, the project continued without interruption. Instead, it provided an opportunity to explore and implement new collaboration tools, such as online conferences. No other significant issues arose during implementation, as the project had been thoroughly prepared.
The Activity Coordinator played a crucial role in ensuring the effective implementation of the association''s activities. Their responsibilities included organizing events, managing logistics, and overseeing the smooth execution of various initiatives.
The internship was an essential component for gaining experience from a professional organization abroad. It provided valuable insights into effective practices and strategies that could be applied within the Czech context. The knowledge transfer from this experience was further enhanced through the translation of key documents, which contributed to developing essential resources such as the association’s strategy, financial plan, and the rights and duties of its members. This experience also enabled the association to become actively involved in international structures.
A lobbying and recruitment campaign was launched to gain support and attract new members. As a result, the association experienced an increase in membership, particularly from representatives of municipal libraries. This growth led to the establishment of a dedicated working section for these members, strengthening collaboration within the sector.
A series of workshops was organized, focusing on communication skills and strategies. These workshops were designed as follow-up sessions to build on previous learnings and enhance participants'' abilities in effective communication.
The project concluded with a final conference, which not only highlighted the project itself but also addressed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A key highlight of the event was the guest speaker, a representative of the partner organization, who provided valuable insights into the Norwegian and broader European context of the discussed topics.
All outputs were met, the indicators for the number of subjects involved and trained were exceeded (30 more) and the number of workshop participants was 20more, with no increase in costs. According to the plan, the cultural platform was strengthened with a new stable element - the project manager, who continues to work in the association after the end of the project. The growth of the membership base has ensured the financial stability, allowing for further growth and improvement of services.
Libraries have stronger professional organization to represent their interests. Inter-ministerial cooperation has been established, libraries are being promoted as lifelong learning institutions. The association is leading a multi-year project of the CZ-DE Partnership, is active in EBLIDA. Contribution is beyond the expectations, the impact correlates with the Library Development Strategy 2020 - 2027 (government document), which sees libraries as institutions of culture, education and democracy.
Summary of bilateral results
The partner organization played a dual role, serving as both the host for the internship and a regular consultant for activities related to the project. It provided internal documents and essential know-how, forming a foundation for further development. Additionally, it shared valuable insights from its recruitment campaign, including both successes and challenges.Representatives of the partner organization participated in key events, including a national conference where they presented Norwegian librarianship. They also contributed as speakers in a webinar addressing crucial topics in librarianship. Furthermore, the secretary of the association was a speaker at the final conference, focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The cooperation led to significant improvements in internal processes within the association and provided the Czech librarianship sector with a deeper understanding of the situation in Norwegian libraries. It also facilitated connections with other notable libraries and potential partners. The collaboration was mutually beneficial, as the Norwegian association gained valuable insights from the experience and resources shared, including the Library Development Strategy.