Collaboration at an International Level: Germany

Knb: Expertise Network For Libraries – International Cooperation

At the Expertise Network for Libraries (Kompetenznetzwerk für Bibliotheken (KNB)) at the German Library Association (Deutscher Bibliotheksverband e.V.) there is a publicly funded staff position responsible for the management of international activities of German library staff.

The Expertise Network for Libraries is a publicly funded organization that coordinates in a decentralized form the national tasks of library services in Germany by assigning various fields of work to existing institutions such as the German Library Association. It began its operations on January 1^st, 2004, and was established to secure essential services for the entire German library system without creating a costly additional infrastructure. The German Library Statistics, the online information service ‘Bibliotheksportal’ (Library Portal), a staff position for EU and third-party funding for libraries, and the benchmarking system BIX are also part of the range of services provided. All fields of work of the Expertise Network are characterized by their national significance, their continuity, i.e. they are not limited-time projects, and their support of the cooperation of libraries.

The international cooperation position promotes innovation in the library field through knowledge transfer, and supports the international cooperation by coordinating the representation of the interests of libraries in a global context. This includes sharing current information on strategic development and topics on an international level with German colleagues, securing German participation in international committees, representing the interests of libraries in a global context, and coordinating the operations of the German IFLA National Committee. Its underlying principle is: international transfer of knowledge promotes innovation in libraries!