The University of Sarajevo organized on Friday, 8 September 2017 the National Library Awareness Day within the ERASMUS+ Capacity Building and Higher Education (CBHE) project - Library Network Support Services (LNSS): Modernizing libraries in Western Balkan countries through staff development and reforming of library services” activities.
In the framework of the National Library Awareness Day organized to remind on the importance of libraries in building the knowledge society, a roundtable table discussion “Quality Management in Higher Education Libraries” was held at the University of Sarajevo Rectorate.
On behalf of Prof. Dr. Rifat Skrijelj, UNSA Rector, attendees were addressed by Prof. Dr. Maida Cohodar Husic. She expressed her satisfaction that, as one of activities within the realization of the Library Network Support Services project, a Round Table on Quality Management in Higher Education Libraries was organized. “The organization of this round table discussion emphasized the importance of libraries in the society, and contributes to the breakdown of stereotypes and prejudices about librarians and libraries in general” said Vice-Chancellor Cohodar Husic stressing that libraries are evolving into major digitization centers.
Mr. Suad Muhibic, National Erasmus+ BH Office Director addressed the attendees and pointed out that more than 150 Tempus projects were implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina, involving all public universities in BiH. He also said that there were 22 approved Erasmus+ Capacity Building projects that were serving as Tempus projects continuation.
Library Network Support Services UNSA project coordinator, Doz. Dr. Lejla Hajdarpasic in her speech pointed out that the LNSS project was focused on the improvement of strategic planning and management in the higher education libraries at partner institutions.
“Simultaneously, the LNSS project aims at promoting library-information services provided by institutions of higher education, as well as schools, specialized, public, national libraries in Western Balkan countries, all within the National Library Awareness Day that is held in BiH at state level on 8 September” said Doz. Dr. Hajdarpasic.
During the roundtable discussion, project was presented by Mr. Scs. Jerald Cavanagh, project manager and Padraig Kirby, project coordinator at the Technology Institute in Limerick. Prof. Dr. Senada Dizdar, of the LNSS team member presented the analysis of the mission and vision of libraries on the websites of higher education institutions at the University of Sarajevo, Dr. Beba Esrefa Rasidovic presented ways of raising the quality of services of higher education libraries through the implementation of the information literacy program, and Mr.Sc. Mirela Rozajac Zulcic spoke about the education of librarians in higher education libraries and quality assurance: Case study of higher education libraries at the University of Sarajevo. The moderator was Mr. Sasa Madacki, a LNSS team member.
The roundtable’s goals were:
• LNSS project presentation to academic staff, librarians, students, education authorities, NGO and media representatives;
• Presenting the analysis of the representation of the mission and the vision of libraries on the UNSA higher education institutions websites;
• Analysis of self-evaluation of library competencies results and proposing new ones in order to improve customer service;
• Pointing out the importance of implementing information literacy in raising the quality of the higher education libraries services.
On the same day, a “Walk for libraries” takes place at Wilsonovo setaliste at 17:00. It is about a joint activity of partner institutions in celebrating this day. The walk will start from the “Ars Aevi” Bridge towards Pofalici. It is planned that participants bring their favorite book or book they want to read.
Libraries (public, academic, school, specialized ones), i.e. partners from Bosnia and Herzegovina will participate in their services promotion on 8 September by offering to citizens various educational contents (promotions, poetry recital evenings, round tables, exhibitions, etc.) and participating in the Walk for Libraries. The project aims at vigorous promotion of libraries, library services and information and library sciences in general. Various program contents are to be held in almost 50 University of Sarajevo’s library partners from Sarajevo, Kalesija, Celic, Zavidovici, Vitez, Busovaca, Breza, Maglaj, Travnik, Kladnja, Banovici etc.
The aforementioned activities should have been to be carried out in Bihac and Mostar, according to the given time sequence, where the partners in the LNSS project’s implementation are the Cantonal and University Library in Bihac and the University of Mostar. We do hope that undertaken partner activities will be as successful as those organized by the University of Sarajevo and wish our partners all the best.
The National Library Awareness Day was organized on 8 September within the International Literacy Day.
