The document outlines the state of libraries in Latvia in 2014, detailing a network of 1759 libraries with approximately 1 million users and significant annual library visits and loans. It highlights the high reliance on library internet services, user satisfaction, and the economic benefits generated by libraries. The document discusses trends such as shrinking readers and loans, increasing budgets, renovations, and the need for libraries to respond effectively to societal challenges.

1. Latvia:
State of the libraries
2014
Uldis Zariņš
National Library of Latvia

2. Library network
• 1759 libraries:
– The National Library of Latvia
– 30 university libraries
– 20 college libraries
– 35 special libraries
– 801 public libraries
– 861 school libraries
• 4000 librarians
• 71% - 1 people libraries
• 3 library associations

3. Library users
• ~1 million library users
– 440 000 of public library users
• ~21 million library visits per year
– 10 million public library visits
• ~27 million loans per yer
– 13,5 million public library loans
(all data 2012, NLL)

4. Which means...
• 43% of Latvian population are using libraries
• 1 library per 1251 inhibitants
• 34 library items per inhibitant
• 80 library items per library user
• 23 library visits per yer per library user
(all data 2012, NLL)

5. ICT usage
• 90% library users are using computers and
internet at the library
• For 20% of those library is the only way to use
computer and internet
(Source: KISC, 2011)

6. Moreover...
• 58% of population are happy with the quality of
library services (94% of those with an opinion)
• 89% of library internet users aggree that libraries
have a big role in the development of society
• 88 % of library internet users aggree that library
is the only free center for culture and
information in the neighbourhood
• 70% of library internet users aggree that library
has become the center of the neighbourhood
(all data 2011, KISC)

7. And even more importantly...
• Direct net annual benefit of public libraries –
9 206 000 euro per year
(cost-benefit ratio – 1,37)
• Annual indirect benefits –
14 072 000 euro per year
(cost-benefit ratio – 1,96)
(all data 2011, KISC)

8. How did we get there
• Strong soviet heritage
• Strong co-operation with Nordic countries
• State unified library information system project
as a catalyst for change
• Support of the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation as a multiplicator of impact
• Continuous support by the National Library and
Cultural Information Systems Center

9. Results
• 4000 computers installed in 874 libraries
• All libraries connected to internet and provide
free access to internet, including Wi-Fi
• 10 regional educational centers
• 1800 librarians have received each 140 hours of
training
• Training in library advocacy

10. Trends (1)
• Number of readers and loans shrink, number of
visits – grow
• The budgets are increasing
• The number of librarians and their wages are
growing
• Renovations of new libraries continue
• Participation in local and international projects

11. Trends (2)
• Research and digitisation of local history
• ICT training for all groups of users
• Remote services
• New forms of events – creative workshops,
poetry slam dunks, sports and recreational
activities, involvement in bigger cultural events
• Use of social media and video
• Non-traditional services can become a burden
too...

12. Points for discussion
• Where do we go from here?
• What can we do more (and less) and better?
• How do we respond to societal needs?
• How do we respond to outside challenges?
• How do we raise the visibility of libraries and it
services?
• How do we measure impact of libraries?
• How do we prove our worth?

13. In short...
• What are the most imporant challenges for
libraries and how can they be met?
• To what societal challenges can libraries
respond and how?

14. Thank you!