The Delphi Model is a model developed for Public Libraries in Flanders (Belgium). It is an user oriented model that puts central the information needs of library users. It brings together ideas on infrastructe, library design, presentation, skills,... This model has been adopted by ca. 30 public libraries in Flanders.

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Patrick Vanden Berghe, M.a.

2.  Context
 Why do we need a new model?
 What is this new model?
 Conclusion
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Flanders (6.400.000
people)
Brussels (capital –
1.000.000 people)
Wallonia(3.500.000
people)
3 regions (Flanders, Wallonia & Brussels) – 3
language communities (Dutch, French and
German)

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10 provinces (5 in Flanders – 5 in Wallonia)

5.  The region of Flanders:
-Responsible for a.o. education, wellbeing and culture
-Library Act of 1978
-New library Act 2011 (suspended since 2015)
 Provinces:
-support libraries (knowledge sharing – new services)
 Local administration
-final responsible and main financial supporter
high density - library services are
homogeneous – uncertain future (no
legal basis)
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6.  Decline in book lending
 Growing influence of the Internet
 Cost – benefit analysis: decline in funding
 Number of functional illiterate
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7.  What?
Transforming the collection-oriented library into a
user-oriented library, where the focus and service
model are directed to the information needs of
the user.
 How?
Mapping information-needs
Collection is only a tool, not a goal
Creating a library community
Use of internet tools
Re-orientation of staff
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8.  What is new?
Focus on information
Focus on information within a context
Effect on the complete library (front and back
office)
Mapping information-needs
 Principles?
Self-reliance
Private Sphere
Pro-active
Co-ownership
Boundaries
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9. design
Staff
service-
model
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10.  Automated lending and returning
 Signalization and (integrated) presentation of
materials, using colours and pics (unique for
Flanders)
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11.  Floor walking
 Points of information
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12.  More focus on the client
 New service model: front & back office involvement
 Hunting for questions
 Sharing information in and out organisation
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13.  in order to answer questions
 in order to find the right context
 in order to respect privacy
 in order to find the right tools
 in order to convey confidence
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14.  Bronnenwijzer: online tool searching for
information resources in catalogue, internet,…-
>information sharing - compare to an online
shopping basket
 Infopleinen: pro-active online tool bringing
together relevant information sources – maintained
by a group of specialists
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16.  Registration tool: Online tool accessible to library
staff of all participating libraries
->in order to work on questions in back-office
->in order to keep track of questions
->in order to file Q&A
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Same baseline:
“Ask your question
in the library”

19.  38 libraries within Province of West-Vlaanderen
(60%)
 Libraries outside the Province have taken over
principles and methodology
 Some tools may be implemented on regional
(=Flemish) level
 Libraries in Wallonia have shown interest
 AND (most important): many library staff feel more
confident in answering questions
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20.  Slide-share
 Delphibibliotheken.be
 vvbad.be
 patrick.vandenberghe@pittem.be
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