Changes and developments in Greek libraries

Abstract

Greek libraries have experienced a tremendous evolution towards modernization during the last few years. The lack of tradition in libraries and the existence of an educational system based on the single textbook did not favor until recently the development of libraries in Greece. However, the European Community action aimed at enabling European libraries to play an important role in the information market, and the Community Support Framework, through which libraries could be funded at the national level, allowed for a dynamic set of actions for Greek libraries. All types of libraries, academic, public and school are moving ahead – 500 school libraries were established in secondary schools alone. In the academic libraries, the horizontal action can be proud of the creation of a consortium called HEAL LINK that shares journal subscriptions and will also operate a Union Catalog of bibliographic records. Library‐related organizations such as the National Documentation Center and the National Book Center, offer additional support in this movement of progress. This paper describes these initiatives and others.

Changing Greek libraries: A continuous dialogue

“…During the second implementation phase, 450 additional libraries were created, staffed by teachers. Currently, most of the school libraries are unavailable for use and lag beyond other kinds of libraries in Greece (Papazoglou and Semertzaki, 2001).…”

he challenging role of public libraries as providers of lifelong learning opportunities for personal and social skills development

“…However, in the contemporary society they have experienced many problems which devalued the importance of their role. Greek public libraries are categorized in three types; depending on their legal status, source of funding, administrative responsibilities and their user groups: public, municipalpublic and children's and youth public libraries (Papazoglou & Semertzaki, 2001;Dewe, 1991;Birk, Karageorgiou & Shafer, 1988). More specifically: (i) Public libraries (also referred as "dimosies") are governed and funded by the Ministry of Education.…”

“…Unfortunately, many years later, users' per month statistics still seemed to be very disappointing. Papazoglou & Semertzaki (2001) reported that the low usage rate was "a well-known trend". Their opinion was based on the fact that there were very few public libraries offering "quality services".…”

“…Undoubtedly, there was an urgent need to reverse that negative situation. Papazoglou & Semertzaki (2001) mentioned that strengthening the role of libraries in Greece was largely the aim of the European Community's action, which through the Community Support Framework provided funding to upgrade "the standards in all areas" such as "buildings, automation, networking, services and organization", in order to create a constant, dynamic and rapid progress in all the Greek libraries (p.166). Concerning public libraries, "their general conditions and the importance of their role in their community were greatly improved" and new standards were set up along with the decision of the Ministry of Education to provide new buildings for four public libraries; in Veria, Pyrgos, Drama and Sparti (p.163).…”

Internet usage in Greek libraries

“…New library buildings were erected, the collections were augmented and new library services to faculties, students and general public were introduced. With the exception of some illuminatory examples, school and special libraries always stay some steps behind their academic counterparts (Papazoglou, 2001 [8]. The Ministry of Internal Affairs administers municipal and city libraries.…”