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Association of Greek Librarians. & Information Scientists. Greek Public Libraries. Afroditi Fragkou Treasurer of EEBEP Librarian at Eugeneia Library infoscienceaddict@gmail.com. Once upon a time…. The need for libraries has always been there Ancient Greek Libraries
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Association of Greek Librarians &Information Scientists Greek Public Libraries AfroditiFragkou Treasurer of EEBEP Librarian at Eugeneia Library infoscienceaddict@gmail.com
Once upon a time… • The need for libraries has always been there • Ancient Greek Libraries • The library of Peisistratos (527 b.C.) • The library of Alexandreia (300 b.C.) • The library of Pergamos (200 b.C.) • The library of Adrianos in Athens (131-132) • Byzantine Public Libraries • Libraries during Turkish occupation
The term public library in Greece • 2 different things • Public libraries (Dimosiesvivliothikes) • Municipal libraries (Dimotikesvivliothikes) • Multiple administrative models • Public libraries Ministry of Education • Municipal libraries Municipalities • Public Entities • Departments of Public Entities • Department of the Municipality • Departments of Municipal Enterprises
Figures on libraries (1/3) • 46 Public Libraries • 268 Municipal libraries (EETAA, 2008-2009) • Low to no budgets for acquisitions. • Transitional season – Vague situation • “Kallikratis” Law 3852/2010 New Architecture of Local Government and Decentralized Administration • The reform is not complete yet. • Main change: 910 Municipalities (2010) 326 (today)
Figures on libraries (2/3) • Good news • 46% of personnel with a TEI degree is a librarian • Bad news • Only 18% of personnel with an AEI degree is a librarian • Not every library has a librarian • Only 50% of the personnel is permanent
Figures on libraries (3/3) • 90% of funding comes from the municipality • 70% of budget is payroll • 7% of budget goes to acquisitions (2006-2007 figures) • During the economic crisis is much less
Public Libraries’ Services • Reading rooms • Book Lending • Book Clubs • Events (Book presentation, Arts & Crafts for kids, teens or adults, speeches, seminars) • Educational programs (in cooperation with school communities – not many school libraries exist) • Information literacy • Computers for the customers and / or Wi-Fi • Services adapted for people with disabilities
Problems in Public Libraries (1/2) • Understaffed • Not every library has a librarian • Retired personnel doesn’t get replaced • Head-less National Library for 9years
Problems in Public Libraries (2/2) • Budget-cuts • Lack of libraries culture at they early educational stages. • Library – hostile legislation • Lack of government support to libraries
The Association of Greek Librarians & Information Scientists • Founded in 1968 • Institutional representative for librarians & libraries in Greece • Standing Committee for Public (Municipal) Libraries • aims to record and promote the solution of the major problems faced by them
EEBEP’s Initiatives for Public Libraries • 3 PanHellenic Conferences on Municipal Libraries • Proposal for a National Policy of Municipal Libraries • Issued a questionnaire on public and municipal libraries • Petition to save our libraries: goo.gl/TeKYN • “Libraries are… wherever you are” campaign • Guidance upon request
Thank you And welcome in Greece!