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Abstract

Library strategy 2010 — the vision: Alongside basic education, public libraries are the public authorities’ most important tool in creating the prerequisites for citizenship in the information society. They are a vital civilizing and cultural service; they satisfy the needs of individuals, and have an extensive influence on learning, teaching and active citizenship. In the information and knowledge society of today, libraries
are perceived as places where knowledge and culture flows freely; they are the antidote to the selective offerings of mass media and the educational system.

Objectives: Library and information services work as one tight network, appearing to the user as an integrated whole. Production of local, regional and national services is coordinated, and the service effectively reaches those in need of it. Diverse library services are on offer, both for Finland’s official language groups and for immigrants. Libraries ensure that people have equal access to sources of
knowledge and culture. Citizens get the right information, in the right place and in real-time, and as appropriate to their age and levels of capability and knowledge. The libraries’ information services are being developed into a precision service characterised by: customer-orientation, rapid feedback, quality control, continuity and responsiveness. Library know-how and spearhead expertise are coming to
the fore in the library field. The ability to manage the flow of information is emerging as a civic skill of great importance, as well as a part of learning on all levels.

Challenges: Prerequisites for the citizens’ information service are: hybrid libraries, a more versatile role for libraries, and further development of the library network. A holistic channel for digital information service and electronic communication for all are still wanting. Local government is now less able than before to provide library services fit for the information society. Despite cuts in staffing, library services face new trials: education levels in the population are rising; the challenges posed by the educational system and lifelong learning are growing, and the demands on library know-how are increasing.

Measures: Tasks are divided between local government and state in such a way that municipalities are responsible for arranging statutory library service and providing established basic services. Municipalities and central government together take care of finances. The state takes special measures to ensure that libraries offer diverse material of high quality, including public sector information, and access to national culture; it also ensures that new structures for the national library network benefit the population. These measures lessen the informational
displacement caused by a person’s domicile, age, educational level or lack of means, and the digital chasm and inequality of developing library services. They also yield significant savings of time, work and costs, while reducing duplication of work done in different places.

Differences between regions and libraries are levelled out if precision services of high quality are created centrally and regionally for joint use over the web, and if provincial library services are given support. Leaning on these, individual libraries can concentrate on their core tasks and give service to users in the community.

To ensure access to knowledge and culture for all citizens, and to realise the right of all customers to equal service, an Action Plan will be implemented during the Government’s next term of office. This will secure user-centred information service for citizens by supporting public libraries in becoming hybrid libraries. A first prerequisite is that all libraries have not only competent and trained staff, but also
up-to-date technological infrastructure and all necessary standards in use. After that it is possible to develop the library network and web services to satisfy the information needs of the people. The vital importance of libraries and library know-how is recognised in all decision-making; thus it is taken into account as our information society is developed, when national culture is promoted, where learning, teaching or giving guidance about civic skills are concerned and within politics, both regionally and in the increasingly international sphere.

The biggest changes and development measures require that:

• the technological infrastructure of all public libraries be modernised. Standards and rapid data transfer connections must be introduced; data systems and customer terminals must be up-dated. Increased guidance must be provided for citizens about the use of computers and web services in libraries.
• digital information service for citizens be guaranteed through developing library and information services and electronic communication within the public administration towards a joint web service
• an unbiased evaluation of library and information services be carried out nationally to clarify and safeguard that all customers enjoy equal rights.
• the special needs of library services be recognised within the system of statutory state aid.
• financing for national web services and for special tasks of libraries be secured via the state budget.
• new operational models and concepts be created for the national library administration, for library organizations, and for the information services aimed at pupils of comprehensive, upper secondary and vocational schools. Pedagogic information specialists will be needed for regions and/or larger schools.
• the competence of library staff be increased.

Library Strategy 2010 presents visions and objectives regarding access to knowledge and culture; it identifies challenges and development needs; it details measures aimed at securing information services for all citizens including pupils, and it outlines the roles of local authorities and the state. Though the Strategy emphasises public libraries and the specific obligations of the state, good results can
be achieved only through more effective cooperation between municipalities, the state and other parties. Views presented in the Library Strategy can be used as a basis for the next government negotiations and for other decision-making.