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Reconstruction of Libraries in Kosova/Kosovo

PRESS RELEASE: For immediate release
13 March 2001
IFLA HQ
The Hague, Netherlands

Initiatives for the further reconstruction of public libraries in the war-torn province of Kosovo were agreed at a series of recent meetings in Pristina.

The Kosova Libraries Consortium held its second working meeting on 7th March 2001. The consortium consists of the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), UNESCO, the Council of Europe, the Open Society Institute, the National and University Library of Kosovo and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions IFLA. Together these key players act as the focal point, linking international interests with interests in Kosova.

The Kosova Library Consortium was formed in October 2000 to further a short- and medium term development plan for Kosova libraries based on the assesment of a professional expert mission performed in February/March 2000. The plan and the assessment are published in the report Libraries in Kosova/Kosovo (see details below) by Carsten Frederiksen and Frode Bakken, which is now also available in Albanian.

It was agreed between all parties present to follow up one of the main recommendations of the report, which is to establish a Kosova Library Council. The Council would give advice, and make recommendations to relevant bodies, on library and information services and on projects and expenditure.

Another objective - to disseminate best practice - was met by holding the first of a series of seminars on 8th March 2001 at the National and University Library in Pristina. The seminar involved 40 participants representing the various regions of Kosova and sectors of the library profession.

The meeting resolved that "Libraries are essential tools for reconstruction and development. We therefore urge the UN Interim Administration Mission to give greater priority to libraries in their allocation of resources". A number of further seminars are to take place later in 2001.

Mr Jetish Kadishani, President of the Kosova Association of Librarians, stated that "the activities of the Kosova Library Consortium are felt as a strong support by our librarians; we hope that the UNMIK administration for Kosova will likewise concentrate on the further development of a strong library infrastructure".

During the week of the meetings, several delegations of the Kosova Library Consortium visited a number of libraries in different regions.

Updates of the library situation in Kosova are available at:
www.unesco.org/webworld/kosovo_library

ENDS

FURTHER INFORMATION FROM:
Ross Shimmon or Sjoerd Koopman
IFLA HQ
Tel: +31 70 31 40884
Fax: +31 70 3834827
Email:

NOTES FOR EDITORS

  1. Libraries in Kosovo/Kosova: a general assessment and a short and medium-term development plan is the report by Carsten Frederiksen and Frode Baken, of a mission undertaken by them on the behalf of UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE) Office. Copies are available from: IFLA/FAIFE Office, Islands Brygge 37, DK 2300, COPENHAGEN S. Denmark. Tel: +45 33 66 46 27/37 Fax: +45 33 66 70 64

  2. Representatives of UNESCO, IFLA, UNMIK, and the Open society Institute attended the meeting, together with the two authors of the report.

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