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The Delphi Project: transforming Flemish libraries to user-oriented Points of InformationPatrick Vanden Berghe, M.a.

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Outline

Context Why do we need a new model? What is this new model? Conclusion

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Flemish libraries: context

Flanders (6.400.000 people)

Brussels (capital – 1.000.000 people)

Wallonia(3.500.000 people)

3 regions – 3 language communities

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Flemish libraries: context10 provinces (5 in Flanders – 5 in Wallonia)

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Flemish libraries: context

Flanders:-Responsible for a.o. education, wellbeing and culture-Library Act of 1978-New library Act 2011 (suspended since 2015)

Provinces:-support libraries (knowledge sharing – new services)

Local administration-final responsible

high density - library services are homogeneous – uncertain future (no legal basis)

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New model for Public Libraries: why

Decline in book lending Growing influence of the Internet Liberal thinking: cost vs. benefit Number of functional illiterate

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New model for Public Libraries: Delphi

What?Transforming the collection-oriented library into a user-oriented library, where the focus and service model are directed to the information needs of the user.

How? Mapping information-needs Collection is only a tool Creating a library community Use of internet tools

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New model for Public Libraries: Delphi

What is new? Focus on information Focus on information within a context Effect on the Complete library (front and back office) Mapping information-needs

Principles? Self-reliance Private Sphere Pro-active Co-ownership Boundaries

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New model for Public Libraries: Delphi

designStaffservice-model

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Design

Automated lending and returning Signalization and (integrated) presentation of materials,

using colours and pics (unique for Flanders)

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Design

Floor walking Points of information

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Staff: training and attitude-changing

in order to answer questions in order to find the right context in order to respect privacy in order to find the right tools in order to convey confidence

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Web tools

Bronnenwijzer: online tool searching for information resources in catalogue, internet,…->information sharing

Infopleinen: online tool bringing together relevant information sources – compare to an online shopping basket

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Web tools: infoplein

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Web tools

Registration tool: Online tool accessible to library staff of all participating libraries

->in order to work on questions in back-office->in order to keep track of questions->in order to file Q&A

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Web tools

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Promotion

Same baseline: “Ask your question in the library”

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Conclusion

38 libraries within Province of West-Vlaanderen Libraries outside the Province have taken over principles

and methodology Some tools may be implemented on regional (=Flemish)

level Libraries in Wallonia have shown interest AND (most important): many library staff feel more

confident in answering questions

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Want to know more?

Delphibibliotheken.be vvbad.be Patrick.vandenberghe@pittem.be

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Thank you