Association of Libraries of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
The Association of Libraries of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia eV ( vbnw ) is the interdisciplinary interest group of around 350 North Rhine-Westphalian libraries.
The association founded in 1947 has the legal form of a registered association . Its members include public libraries as well as university and specialized libraries . The board consists of representatives from academic and public libraries and their owners. The chairman of the vbnw has been Johannes Borbach-Jaene from the Dortmund City and State Library since 2018, and Andreas Bialas , a member of the state parliament, has been the president since 2012 .
The vbnw sees itself as representing the interests of the member libraries towards the public and political decision-makers. He organizes working groups for the various library sectors ( university libraries , technical college libraries , large city libraries , three regionally distributed working groups for small, medium-sized and district libraries as well as for church public libraries). There is also a commission for training and further education.
The vbnw, financed by membership fees and grants from the state, publishes the quarterly trade journal ProLibris and organizes advanced training courses and specialist events.
Night of the Libraries
Since 2005 the vbnw has organized the library night every two years . Over 200 libraries have their houses open longer and offer a varied program.
Every night there is a certain motto to put library-related topics in the public eye:
- 2017: The place to be!
- 2015: eMotion - moving libraries!
- 2013: Your library - wilder than you think!
- 2011: Total crush on libraries
- 2009: Libraries build bridges
- 2007: Libraries are incredibly exciting
- 2005: Libraries bring light into the dark
Literature and Sources
- The tradition of the vbnw is kept in the State Archives North Rhine-Westphalia Rhineland Department .