This document discusses a written declaration submitted to the European Parliament regarding the impact of public libraries in European communities. It provides background on written declarations, including registration requirements. The declaration itself recognizes that nearly 100 million Europeans visited public libraries last year and millions used library internet access for education, employment, and access to government and health services. It calls on the European Commission to recognize the essential services public libraries provide to local communities and disadvantaged groups. The objectives are to get over 50% of MEPs to sign for official adoption, or 20-50% to still gain Commission recognition of public library support. Support is requested from attendees to contact their MEPs using provided templates and materials.

1. Presentation of the Written Declaration in
Support of Public Libraries
Dan Mount
Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Civic
Agenda EU

2. 2013 European
Congress on E-Inclusion
Written Declaration 0016/2013
“the impact of public libraries in European communities”
Dan Mount
Head of Policy & Public Affairs
Civic Agenda EU

3. Why do we need a Written
Declaration?

4. Background on Written Declarations
 Mechanism for raising political awareness around a
particular topic or set of issues
 Registration requirements
o Must be no more than 200 words in length
o Must not explicitly call for funding or reference any
on-going procedure or legislative proposal currently
before the European Parliament
o To be registered any WD must have the support of at
least 10 Members of the European Parliament from a
minimum of 3 political groups

5. 2009 – 2014
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
2013
0000/2013
WRITTEN DECLARATION
submitted pursuant to Rule 123 of the Rules of Procedure
on the impact of public libraries in European communities
Hannu Takkula (ALDE), Maria Badia i Cutchet (S&D), Vilija Blinkevičiūtė (S&D), Andrew Duff
(ALDE), Cătălin-Sorin Ivan (S&D), Morten Løkkegaard (ALDE), Marie-Thérèse Sanchez-Schmid
(PPE), Marietje Schaake (ALDE), Helga Trüpel (Verts/ALE), Marie-Christine Vergiat (GUE/NGL),
Sabine Verheyen (PPE)
Lapse date:
PE000.000v00-00
EN
EN
0000/2013

6. 0000/2013
Written declaration, under Rule 123 of Parliament's Rules of Procedure, on the impact of
public libraries in European communities1
1.
A 2013 survey of public library services across 18 European countries shows that nearly
100 million Europeans visited their public library and 14 million used it to access the
internet last year;
2.
In the last 12 months 24 million Europeans (most frequently the elderly, ethnic
minorities, those from rural areas) used their public library to engage in non-formal and
informal learning activities;
3.
83% of those using free public library computer and internet services reported a
positive impact on their lives: saving time and money, improving skills, gaining access to
government services and employment and health related resources;
4.
Last year 1.5 million European applied for and 250,000 Europeans found work via free
library internet access;
5.
Public libraries represent the only source of free internet access for 1.9 million
marginalized Europeans;
6.
The Commission is hence called upon to recognize the essential services that public
libraries provide to local communities and disadvantaged groups in relation to digital
inclusion, social inclusion, lifelong learning and pathways to employment and the role
of those services in assisting with the delivery of EU's objectives
7.
This declaration, together with the names of the signatories, is forwarded to the
Commission.
PE000.000v00-00
2/2
EN
1
In accordance with Rule 123(4) and (5) of Parliament's Rules of Procedure, when the declaration is signed by a majority of
Parliament's component Members, it shall be published in the minutes with the names of its signatories and forwarded to the
addressees, without however binding Parliament.

8. Our key supporters:

9. Outcomes / Objectives
 3 MONTH WINDOW for signatures (Oct 7th 2013 – Jan
7th 2014)
 PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: WD is signed by over 50% of MEPs
(384 out of 766)
o Outcome: WD will be adopted as the official position of
the EP and forwarded to the European Commission for a
response
 SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: WD is signed by 20-50% of
MEPs
o Outcome: The Commission will recognise that public
libraries enjoy the support of a significant number of
European elected representatives from all Member States

10. WE NEED YOU!
Contact us:
DAN.MOUNT@CIVICAGENDA.COM
ROBIN.KNOWLES@CIVICAGENDA.COM
We will provide you with:
o campaign templates and
promotional materials
o links to identify your local MEP
Put your local MEP’s
details into the template
SEND!!!!!!!!
Tell others about the
campaign