1. LIBER’s role in supporting
European Research Libraries
Wouter Schallier
Executive Director

2. Overview
 Who we are + mission
 Important changes
 Priorities 2009-2012
 Our activities incl. Annual Conference
 Upcoming activities
 Keep in touch with LIBER
 Join LIBER!
 Thank you/Questions

3. Who we are
 The largest network of European research
libraries: almost 400 institutions, from over 40
countries
 Research and national libraries, information
centres, research centres, archives …
 People with a particular interest in strategic
issues for European research libraries

4. Mission
 “LIBER represents and promotes the
interests of research libraries in Europe”
 Efficient information services
 Access to research information
 Innovation in end user services
 Preservation of cultural heritage
 Efficient and effective management
 Cf. USA: ARL; Canada: CARL; UK: RLUK

5. Important changes
 Copenhagen -> The Hague
 Foundation under Dutch law
 Appointment of Executive Director
responsible of general management
 Appointment of Assistant
 Revision of strategy and structure of the
organisation

6. Priorities 2009-2012
 Scholarly communication
 Digitisation and resource discovery
 Heritage collections and preservation
 Organisation and human resources
 Services for LIBER members

7. New LIBER structure

8. What we do
 Meetings, conferences, workshops on
strategic issues
 Advocacy and lobbying
 Sharing professional knowledge,
dissemination of documentation
 Publication of position statements
 LIBER Quarterly (http://liber.library.uu.nl/)
 Fostering partnerships and cooperation

9. Some of our activities
DRIVER Damage atlas
Maps LIFE
OAI Europeana LIBER
Travel Quarterly
VAT Quality and
Annual
Digitisation performance Library
Conference
Architecture
European Library
DART- (Digital)
Passport
Europe Security Preservation
Organisation Network
and human Copyright PEARL
resources SPARC
Rare books Europe
PARSE Insight

15. Annual conference
 http://liber2009.biu-toulouse.fr
 Aim: exchange, discuss, recommend
 Organising committee + Programme
committee
 Innovative and strategic topics
 Plenary sessions, break out sessions,
posters, networking
 2009: Toulouse; 2010: Arhus; 2011:
Barcelona

17. Upcoming LIBER events
 19-21 October 2009: Digitisation workshop,
The Hague
http://www.libereurope.eu/node/391
 29 June-2 July 2010: Annual Conference,
Arhus (Denmark)
- Call for papers/posters (mid October 2009)
- Special CEE fund for stimulating participation
from Central-Eastern Europe (January mailing
2010)

18. Keep in touch with LIBER
 Website: www.libereurope.eu
 Mailing list:
 LIBER-ALL (members):
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-
bin/wa.exe?SUBED1=liber-all&A=1
 LIBER-NEWS:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-
bin/wa.exe?SUBED1=liber-news&A=1
 LIBER Quarterly: http://liber.library.uu.nl/

19. Why join LIBER?
 be part of the biggest network of European library
professionals
 participate in discussions, activities, collaborations
etc. that are relevant to European research libraries
 be a partner in projects which LIBER is winning in
competitive EU funding applications
 contribute to responses and lobbying activities in
which LIBER engages at an EU level
 contribute metadata records and full-text content to
Open Access services (such as the DART-Europe portal of
research theses) which LIBER is running on behalf of its
membership

20. Why join LIBER? (2)
 receive a reduced fee (minimum 25% and up to 50%)
for all LIBER seminars, workshops and conferences for all
members of your institution
 have voting right in LIBER’s Meeting of Participants
and therefore have a voice in the European library landscape
 be candidate for election to the LIBER Executive
Board
 pay a reduced fee for the journal LIBER Quarterly PoD
(75 euros instead of 450 euro)

21. Join LIBER!
 Annual fee:
 350 euro (institutions)
 Application form for membership:
 http://www.libereurope.eu/node/200
 Call for participation in Steering Committees/
Working groups: soon!

22. Thank you! Questions? Suggestions?
Wouter SCHALLIER
LIBER Executive Director
National Library of The Netherlands
P.O. Box 90407
2509 LK The Hague
The Netherlands
T: +31 70 31 40 729
F: +31 70 31 40 197
M: +31 6 29 04 79 52
E: wouter.schallier@kb.nl
Skype: wouter.schallier
W: www.libereurope.eu