Call for a reinforcement of the European cultural and educational dimension
Together with EBLIDA (European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations), IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions), NAPLE (National Authorities on Public Libraries in Europe), PL 2030 (Public Libraries 2030) and SPARC Europe (Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition), LIBER has signed a call for stronger financial support for culture, education, research and digital inclusion. The call also includes an increase of the resources allocated to relevant programmes for the European library world.
This call comes following the European Commission’s ruling on lessening financial support to certain areas such as culture, education, research and digital inclusion. As all associations collectively represent more than 60,000 libraries all over Europe, and understand the negative effects that will consequently follow such budget cuts, we firmly stand behind the European Parliament’s resolution from 23 July, 2020.
LIBER and the other associations hope that European libraries regain a healthy and progressive momentum in the areas mentioned above. COVID-19 has devastated Europe and the world. Without the sufficient funds from the Multiyear Financial Framework, the areas mentioned above, the research community and the public will feel an adverse impact for years to come.