Today, various parties representing the government and libraries signed the new Library Covenant. With this, they will continue to work towards a Netherlands with a high level of literacy, in which life-long development is promoted and where everyone can participate online.
Agreements
The new covenant is valid from 2024 to 2027 and contains a number of agreements that will contribute to a society with equal opportunities for all. For example, the possibility of children becoming automatic members of the library is being explored. Youth membership is already free but only 7 in 10 children are currently members of a library. The option of giving Digital Government Information Points (IDOs) a permanent place in the library is also being investigated. Read the full text (in Dutch) on Bnetwerk.
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Left to right: Sjaak Simonse (IPO), Mark Wit (VNG), Eppo Bruins (OCW), Wilma van Wezenbeek (KB), Gerard Hendriks (Bibliotheek aan de Vliet), Annelies Bakelaar (SPN), Klaas Gravesteijn (VOB)
Collaboration
The agreements were signed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the Interprovincial Consultation (IPO) and the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG), the KB, the Foundation of Collaborative Provincial Support Institutes (SPN) and the Dutch Public Library Association (VOB). This is a broad collaboration between the government and libraries.
Erna Winters, network manager for libraries at the KB: "About 2.5 million Dutch people have difficulty with reading, arithmetic and using a computer or smartphone. Libraries are the perfect place to help these people so that they can also fully participate in society. It is crucial for the network partners to continue working together on the three social tasks over the next three years. These tasks are time-consuming and deserve the attention and dedication of all parties."
