Biblio.For.Meda

Biblio.for.mEDA Contract Title Biblio.For.Meda - Identification of a training and organisational model aimed at supporting the valorisation of librarians as facilitators for lifelong learning Contract Number 2003 -I/03/B/PP-154193 Funding Period 01/10/2003 - 30/09/2005 (24 mo) Funding Agency European Union (Leonardo da Vinci Programme) Total Cost €264,503.00 Partners IAL Nazionale, Italy (contractor) Department of Information Science, UK Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute, Cyprus Oktfordvil, Hungary Edaforum, Italy CERTAM, Italy Riga Technical University, Latvia Foundatia Marco Polo, Romania Website http://www.BiblioForMeda.net

The Biblio.for.mEDA Project was funded under the European Commission’s Leonardo da Vinci programme. The project was coordinated by IAL Nazionale, Italy and was carried out in collaboration with partners from Cyprus, Italy, Hungary, Romania and Latvia.

Background

European Union strategies have highlighted the need for education and training activities to promote improvement in the knowledge, qualifications and skills necessary for the building of the knowledge society. Public libraries, as important community focal points, are increasingly recognised as key agents in the lifelong learning agenda. This project compared and analysed best practices in the library systems of the participating countries to develop an organisational and training model with the aim of promoting the librarian’s role in the facilitation of lifelong learning.

Products of the Biblio.For.Meda project

The project partners:

• Gathered documentary evidence of the role of public libraries in lifelong learning;
• Undertook a survey of libraries showing best practices in the development of lifelong learning services;
• Identified different organisational approaches, training methods, strategies and practices in the participating countries;
• Analysed the organisational and training needs that need to be addressed if libraries are to play a key role in lifelong learning;
• Developed training and organizational models, which could transform public libraries into key agents of the lifelong learning agenda.

Research in Cyprus

In the context of the Biblio.ForMeda project a Questionnaire has been developed to assess the level to which (a) Libraries in Cyprus are aware and apply life long learning concepts and (b) capitalize on modern IT in their daily operations. The following libraries have responded to the assessment:

• Library of the University of Cyprus
  Kallipoleos 75
  Aglantzia, Lefkosia
  

• Severeios Library
  Archbiship Kyprianou Square
  Lefkosia
  

• Public Library of Limassol
  Limassol
  

• Public Library of Larnaca
  Leoforos Grigori Afxentiou
  Larnaca
  

• Public Library of Pafos
  28th Octber Square
  Pafos
  

Dissemination seminar

The Dissemination seminar took place at the Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute premises on Nov. 24, 2005. The invitation was send to more than 40 NGOs, 200 active individuals through mailing lists, four Colleges/Universities, several Governmental Organizations and posted on line at www.tech4peace.org. Participants included representatives from five NGOs, five Colleges/Universities, three people of the media, one Government representative and one member of the parliament.

Organization	Type	Representative	Role
Peace Centre Cyprus	NGO	Dr. Maria Hadjipavlou	President
CITI: Cyprus Intercultural Training Initiative	NGO	Elia Petridou	CITI Coordinator
The Management Centre	NGO	Selen Mesutoglu	Project Manager
Youth Center	NGO	Xenia Constantinou	Vice President
CARDET	NGO	Charalambos Vrasidas	President
SIT Cyprus: The Accredited Institution of Higher Education World Learning	University	Selhan Zeki	Academic co-director for Cyprus
Intercollege	University	Pambos Vrasidas	Vice-Head of Education
P.A. College	University	Nikleia Eteokleous	Assistant Professor
University of Cyprus - Language Centre	University	Yiola Papadopoullou	Lecturer
University of Cyprus – Department of Political Science	University	Joseph Joseph	Head of Depertment
Radio Epistrofi	Radio	Kyriakos Pierides	Journalist
Radio Mayis	Radio	Hasan Kahvecioğlu	Journalist
Media Industry	Media	Panikos Michael	CEO
Cyprus Parliament	Parliament	Takis Hadjigeorgiou	Committee for Education
Cyprus Academy for Public Administration	Government	Marios Michaelides	Officer

External Links

• Official Website
• Short Report at Loughborough University
• Project's website at Loughborough University
• Power Point Presentation about the project