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Sprucing Up Your Professional Competency / The Next Generation: On-site Learning vs. Virtual Education (Ilona Munique)
(pp. 528–532)

It is no longer a matter of being for or against virtual education, or whether on-site learning is out and the flip-chart redundant. Both styles of education now have their particular applications, their loyal or new followers, pros and contras, and their own cost-benefit factors – for both trainers and participants.

The best known form of professional de- velopment is still the seminar and courses which require the physical presence of the learner. They are conducted either in-house or at a central location through invitation by a sponsoring organization (consultant agency, governmental department, professional association, private enterprise, etc.) which issues invitations to a target group. Usually these last just one day. Half-day courses are also offered in conjunction with conferences and associa- tion meetings.

The virtual education environment does not replace interpersonal encounters, but it offers many advantages and expands opportunities. On-site learning events are – in both senses of the word – still in a class of their own. Enriched by their own types of media and tools, i.e. virtual elements, they will surely be appropriate for the up-coming, networked generation. The transition between one form of education and another is becoming more fluid, expectations higher, and the responsibility for the results spread equally among the participants, organizers and trainers. This is not necessarily more economical, as was once hoped, but certainly more flexible, more exciting and – above all – more subject-oriented. Hence, it is high time for a paradigmatic change in librarians’ professional development. It has already happened in the field of research and teaching for adult education.

Who expects what from whom? / Lobbying for Libraries From a Politician’s Point of View (Undine Kurth)
(pp. 549–552)

Successful lobbying starts with the question »who expects what from whom«. The answer depends on which players are on the field. Three major groups are involved: administration, users, and libraries. The large, unknown factor is the administration and those who control it.

The fact that libraries are important is obvious. Germany’s president confirmed it in his speech at the re-opening of the Anna Amalia Library in Weimar. The assurance of one’s own importance is also underlined by the work of the Bundestag’s Inquiry Commission on »Culture in Germany«. The recommendations in its final report are a treasure trove for library lobby work and should be kept in mind and, above all, incorporated in daily activities. The value of these recommendations consists in their having been passed unanimously by all political factions. That is worth a lot, a very lot! Lobby efforts have been aimed primarily at the financing of libraries. Though it is correct to demand again and again public financing, this is not enough. Librarians need to stress more often and more vehemently the social significance of libraries. A political majority needs to be found and this will require intensive discussions with as many decision-makers as possible. The following eight points should be taken into consideration in order to be successful in lobbying efforts:

• Never assume that others know what your problems are
• There are more problems than just yours
• Complaining is not enough
• Find out where your allies are and how to win them over
• Look closely to see who can help with what
• Learning from others means learning how to win
• Take action in good time n Lobbying is not begging and not indecent

Translated by Martha Baker