THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF LATVIA:THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF LATVIA: Shaping the Future in the New Eastern EuropeShaping the Future in the New Eastern Europe

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONSHAPING LATVIA’S FUTURE

Enhance Latvia’s competitive position in the world economy

Acceleration of IT infrastructure development Enhance democratic participation in the

Baltic Region through information access Create a fully integrated library network

nationwide to support Latvia’s educational system

Preserve Latvia’s cultural heritage Provide support for economic development

and manpower training initiatives

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION (continued) (continued)

NEW BUILDING AS A VEHICLE TO THE FUTURE Vision of a new library during the

“Perestroika” era

Gunnar Birkerts design for the “Castle of Light” emerges in 1988

Development of a project management team

Public investment in a “knowledge society” with a $ 120 million project

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION (continued) (continued)CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CHALLENGES IN THE NEW EASTERN

EUROPE Obtaining UNESCO recognition and gaining

international visibility for the project

Creation of non-profit fundraising foundation to carry out the campaign at home and abroad

Building a long-term outlook in contemporary Latvian society

The challenge of inventing politically acceptable financing mechanisms

A. THE NLL IN TRANSITION FORMATION OF LIBRARY UPON ACHIEVING INDEPENDENCE:

National Library was established in 1919 with collections in Latvian and foreign languages, with holdings of one million volumes by 1940

The National Library became the official agency of the National Bibliography

Created and maintained a Union Catalog

Provide user services for the support of new democratic institutions

A Look Back at a Turbulent History IMPACT OF THE SOVIET ERA :

Emphasis of the collection changed to serve Communist ideology

For nearly 50 years, access to history and western foreign language collections was severely restricted

Many cultural archives and collections were destroyed during the Soviet occupation

Contacts abroad were controlled and information censored

Almost no funding was dedicated to collections care, information resources and building maintenance by the Soviet regime

The Current Situation in Latvia

New library legislation has been adopted

Library development strategy has been included within the national government programs on Informatics and Culture

Government oversight and coordination mechanisms for libraries have been put into operation

The Current Situation in Latvia (cont)

Concept of virtual libraries has been fully accepted by library users

Processes such as digitization and retrospective conversion of data have begun

New services are offered to library users in Latvia primarily in electronic form

Libraries develop free access points to the Internet

Many libraries in Latvia participate in different international projects

The Current Situation in Latvia (cont) Financing of libraries is still far from adequate

Library personnel are motivated for professional life-long learning and careers

Computer literacy is common among new library recruits.

Professional salaries in libraries typically do not exceed $150/month

Many specialists, especially younger ones, do not continue working in libraries after acquiring computer skills; they gravitate to higher paying jobs in the private sector

The NLL’s Mission Today

FOSTER REINTEGRATION INTO THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, INCLUDING:

To facilitate the development of the cultural and intellectual elements of Latvian society

To preserve Latvian culture through an integrated library network

To provide full and free access to information resources for people of all backgrounds

To support individual growth and understanding and encourage private business enterprise

NLL’s Vision for the Future To stimulate cultural revival and development in the

Eastern European and Baltic Regions

To support the nation’s goal to participate actively in Baltic, European and global economy

Share Latvia’s cultural heritage with the world community

To provide critical information resources for the national educational system

To help build a competitive work force

To provide free public access to global information systems

Bridge image

Gunnar Birkerts’ design for new National Library of Latvia

Basic Assumptions Governing the New Latvian National Library Project

Completion of the new building project including a national library information network is a fundamental precondition of forming a “knowledge society” in Latvia

The project goal will have been met when universal access to information services is offered to the general public in Latvia

The primary institutions responsible for implementing this goal are libraries

Basic Assumptions Governing the New Latvian National Library Project (cont)

Implementation of this assignment will be accomplished by a National Unified Information System (NUIS)

All libraries nationwide will be guaranteed access to the unified information system

Access to resources will be supported by the virtual library project

Basic Assumptions Governing the New Latvian National Library Project (cont)

Document delivery will be made available both in hard copy and electronic form

All libraries in Latvia will serve as public access points

Libraries will need to create facilities for remote access of various information services

The National Library of Library will serve as the central portal for information dissemination

PROJECT SUPPORT UNESCO Resolution

GENERAL CONFERENCE VOTES UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR THE NLL PROJECT IN 1999

“Recalling the appeal for international support for the National Library of Latvia project made by the President of Latvia at the 155th session of the Executive Board, on 22 October 1998,

Considering the intention of the national authorities to make the National Library of Latvia a multifunctional centre contributing to the safeguarding and promotion of cultural heritage, providing access to educational, scientific and cultural information, and encouraging cultural diversity and inter-ethnic knowledge and understanding,

Conscious of the importance of this project for cultural development and co-operation in Latvia and the Baltic region as whole,

Calls upon the Member States and international community to provide all possible support for the implementation of this project.”

Creating a New Library for a New LatviaCreating a New Library for a New Latvia

LATVIA IS BUILDING A NEW HOME FOR ITS NATIONAL LIBRARY. IT WILL BE DEDICATED TO:

Safeguarding the library’s priceless collection

Providing the public with open access to 5 million volumes and unlimited access to global information resources

Establishing a state of the art communications environment

Building Latvia’s image globally

Preparing Latvia’s residents for full participation in the global information age

Rendering of new building superimposed on left bank of Daugava River, Riga

Building a New National LibraryBuilding a New National Library Library Functions Library’s functional program needs based on an

analysis of the requirements of 21st century library functions and structures

User areas with:1,200 computer-ready reader stations335,000 volume open stack shelving access

Stack core providing:Compact storage for 6,165,000 volumes (including space for a 25 year reserve)

Work rooms for 400 employees

Schematic of new building

Schematic view of new building showing atrium.

Elevation against skyline

Elevation of new building superimposed against Old Riga skyline to show scale.

IT Infrastructure RequirementsIT Infrastructure Requirements All reader and employee work stations will be in the

local network; i.e. wireless communications

• “Internet 2” communication technologies

• External connection: fiber-optic cable

• Centralized IT administration

• Data storage capabilities in measurable terabytes

• Data flow, monitoring and control: 24/7

Provide Multi-Purpose Support InfrastructureProvide Multi-Purpose Support Infrastructure

Restaurant and catering services Conference center 350 seat lecture hall Exhibition galleries Retail services including library shop Vestibule with 10 story atrium Technical support area (IT/business center) 300 car parking garage

PROJECT MANAGEMENTPROJECT MANAGEMENT

Selection of a quality project management team which ensures

quality control, effective time management and cost control

Developing project auditing systems to assure fiscal responsibility

Building local involvement and participation

Explaining and teaching western construction management techniques to the building and IT industries

THE COMPLEXITY OF THE PROJECT REQUIRES A SOUND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, INCLUDING:

Coordinating the country’s library and information system activities

NLL’S LIBRARY PARTNERSHIPS:

Library Information Network ConsortiaLibrary Information Network ConsortiaChildren's Literature CenterChildren's Literature CenterPublic Library ServicePublic Library ServiceUnion CatalogueUnion CatalogueNational BibliographyNational BibliographyInter-library loan and document deliveryInter-library loan and document deliveryProfessional Continuing Education CenterProfessional Continuing Education Center

The changingThe changing role of the library role of the library in the new Eastern Europe in the new Eastern Europe

The role of the library today has changed – it is no longer simply a repository of printed matter.

The 21st century library in Eastern Europe must: Offer comprehensive information services to

interested persons of all ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds

Organize cooperation between international and local information sources to make Latvia competitive in the global marketplace

Place the user at the center of the library to ensure personal growth and development

Provide free access and user training

C. THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CHALLENGE

Approval of law authorizing National Library of Latvia project

Government guaranteed financing mechanism to be implemented

Soft loan is required to permit non-interrupted cash flow

C. THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CHALLENGE

Create fund raising strategy

Build public and private sector partnerships for fund raising

Maintain critical role of UNESCO involvement

Obtain counsel and financial support from Council of Europe and European Union

In-kind support from various countries

Poster