Round Table of the International Association of Metropolitan City Libraries (INTAMEL)

1995 The Hague Conference

Highlights

The newly elected officers will serve a term of three years.

Membership in INTAMEL is open to metropolitan city libraries serving populations in excess of 400,000. INTAMEL has completed a year of satisfying accomplishments. The annual INTAMEL Conference was held in The Hague, Netherlands in September 1995 and followed the opening of the beautiful, functional new Central Library. Participants in this memorable conference came from 27 metropolitan cities in 16 countries and were joined by a large number of host librarians, city officials, and sponsors. Wim Renes, Director of the Dienst Openbare Bibliotheek Den Haag and his staff planned and carried out a conference that will long be remembered. While the new library was the main focus of the conference, other illuminating visits included the nearby district of Schilderswijk, dating from the turn of the century where one-third of the population is under 20 and 60% are of non-Dutch origin. Here the branch library is playing a pivotal role in a 30-year urban renewal programme encompassing town planning, social housing, employment, cultural activity, sports and education.

Another highlight was the Library of the Dutch Parliament. Visits to the Nederlandse Bibliotheek Dienst and the Nederlandse Bibliotheek and Lectuur Centrum provided a useful insight into book supply arrangements in the Netherlands and an overview of Dutch public libraries in terms of cooperation and strategic planning on matters of common interest. Three library directors were invited to attend this year's conference with INTAMEL sponsorship. Unfortunately, only the Catalan representative was able to accept. Currency problems are severe for many even when airfare, registration and a per diem are covered by the sponsor. Additional library directors will be extended invitations for the 1996 Conference, which will have as theme, "City Libraries in a Social Context", and be held in Copenhagen, Denmark in September 1996 hosted by BĀ- Ārge SĀ- Ārensen, Director of Copenhagen Public Libraries. The 1997 conference will be held in Perth, Western Australia.

The INTAMEL Newsletter, Metro - Giving the Global View, was issued twice during the year. It gives current information on member libraries' programmes and building developments. Its editor is Pat Wressell (UK). Production of the annual public library statistics continues to be carried out by the staff of the Hannover (Germany) City Library. Members of INTAMEL also contributed to the costs of printing the English language version of the Unesco Public Library Manifesto.

Istanbul Meeting