Public library development project „Trešais tēva dēls”

Gunita Mozuļčika

Silva Suhaņenkova

Agnese Veitas

About the project

• In the fall of 2005, Latvia received 16,2 million US dollars from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation .

• New expierence in Eurasia.• Co-financed by the Latvian state,

Latvian local authorities, Microsoft corporation .

All means are used to develop Latvian public libraries in the fields of information and communication technologies.

The meaning of the „Trešā tēva dēla” symbol

• Trešais tēva dēls

(The third father son)- name of the project.

• Stereotyped library.

• Trešais tēva dēls - new brand for libraries.

• Third son – well known hero

Every life, regardless of the geographical location, is equally

valuable.

The aim of the project:

- free access to computer and internet connection in all Latvian public libraries

- trained librarians (work with the new equipment and software, use electronic and other innovative library activities)

What’s done?

• Project term:

November of 2006 - June of 2008

• 4000 computers are installed in Latvia’s 874 libraries

• Specially equipped computers for Libraries for the Blind

• Computers with the latest software

What’s done?

• In 853 libraries are improved local area networks and internet connections.

• 17 libraries has connected to the internet first time.

• broadband wireless internet for free• About 1800 public library librarians has

undergone a 140-hour training program in special fully-equipped training rooms .

Benefit for everybody

Libraries are the only place in state where free of charge and for everyone is available newest Office software and newest educative, entertaining and special software’s for work, studies and relaxation.

Long-term prospects of the project• prestige of libraries and librarians in

society.• 83% of Latvian residents have heard of

the „Trešais tēva dēls " project.• The long-term prospects of the project

after its completion mainly depends on the further investments .

• Evaluation of effectiveness of the work.

The related studies

• “Reflecting libraries in the Latvian press in 2005 and 2006”

• The publications were analyzed from three different aspects:

-profession of the authors of the publication;

-the thematic of the publication;

-the attitudes expressed in the publication

The related studies

• Impact of the project “Trešais tēva dēls”

• New study - Reflecting libraries in the Latvian press in 2007 and 2008.

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