More information
Description
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the project is to strengthen bonds of cooperation between Polish and Norwegian libraries, to support actions directed towards migrants, non-users and minorities in particular as well as achieving new competences by librarians.
GOALS:
- To perform an audience study - research diagnosing the needs and preferences of residents of Polish cities
- Training sessions for library employees - systemic training in the form of workshops
- Exchange of experiences through: visits of Polish librarians in Norway and Norwegian librarians in Poland as well as the organization of an international conference summarizing the project
- Encouraging migrants to use libraries, by buying books in English, Russian and Ukrainian, as well as materials for learning Polish
- Organization of cultural and educational events aimed at migrants (Polish language courses, literary walks, workshops)
- Publishing visual stories telling the tales of migrants living in Poland
Summary of project results
Problems in project implementation1. Postponing the deadline for signing the contract and making the advance payment,2. postponing the start date of the project.3. Announcement of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions and bans, closure of libraries throughout Poland.4. Lack of financial continuity of the project. After submitting Periodic Report No. 2, we did not receive another advance payment of the requested funds due to the failure to spend 70% of the advance payment, all works planned for the next trimester were suspended, only those that had already been started were implemented. Information about the possibility of returning the funds in order to apply for the next tranche and maintain financial liquidity was not provided to the beneficiaries in a timely manner.5. Only the advance payment paid on March 29, 2022, a month before the end of the trimester, allowed the commencement of further project activities and restoration of the project''s financial liquidity.6. The beginning of the war in Ukraine also resulted in a shift in efforts towards emergency aid for refugees and a shift in the educational and cultural offer.7. The outbreak of the war in Ukraine also had an impact on price increases.8. Report No. 2 was checked only in 2022 together with Report No. 3.9. Another problem in implementing the planned activities was the increase in prices, as exemplified by training.
The aim of the project is to strengthen cooperation between Polish and Norwegian libraries for innovative activities particularly targeted at migrants, non-users and minorities, and to acquire new competences for librarians. Polish partners in the project are: the City Library in Łódź (Project Leader), the City Public Library in Gdynia and the Provincial Public Library in Krakow. The partner of the Donor Country is the Bergen Offentlige Bibliotek in Bergen.Design activities:1. conducting audience research,2. Training for library employees in: team management; intercultural communication, internal and external communication and assertiveness, project and project team management,3. Service Jam workshops,4. exchange of experiences through: visits of Polish librarians to Norway and Norwegian librarians to Poland and the organization of an international conference summarizing the project,5. starting cooperation with organizations bringing together minorities,6. preparation and implementation of software to operate vending devices in the library in Łódź and Gdynia for the Patron program operating there,7. organization of cultural and educational events addressed to migrants (Polish language courses, literary walks, workshops),8. publication of picture stories about migrants living every day in Poland.These activities were carried out in parallel in all three Polish partner libraries.
A total of 178 artistic events were carried out as a result of cooperation with the partner. Number of recipients of cultural and artistic events - 6758. Number of people (artists, specialists) involved in the project - 75. Number of trained professionals - 980 librarians
Summary of bilateral results
The library in Bergen supports Polish partners with good practices, the results of its own research and experience. The result of the project is the improvement of competences and professionalization of staff as well as the development of a strategy for the development of entrepreneurship and the public; dissemination of the research report among Polish libraries, and implementation of services and events addressed to migrants and minorities in accordance with their needs identified in the study, development, in cooperation with the Norwegian partner, of methods and materials that can serve as models for implementing activities in other libraries.