"Culture 2000" partners search for the EU project EU-BOOKS. PROMOTING BOOKS

AND READING AMONG YOUNG EUROPEANS (Italy)

We are a group of few Italian public & national libraries in the Region of

Veneto. We are looking for co-organizers from other European countries who

are interested to contribute to our draft project on a history of the book

and the practice of reading among young readers.

This project will be submitted to the European Commission in the frame of

the current call of the programme "Culture 2000" (deadline 30 October 2003).

Aims of the project

The purpose of the project is to establish a network among European public

libraries in order to enhance and promote, especially among young readers,

the prior role that books and reading played and still play in the modern

society of information, and their contribution to the access to knowledge of

all citizens.

Project's contents

A cultural itinerary about the history of the European book devoted to

introduce young people to the knowledge of the shapes the book has taken

throughout the ages.

The use of new technologies in order to favour the widest and most direct

access to the books.

An opportunity of formative opportunities to the professionals of the

various fields (librarians, authors, editors, educators).

Foreseen actions

Multimedia publications, a travelling exhibition and workshops especially

designed for young readers; exchanges among cultural operators and

institutions, a final symposium addressed both to European professionals and

citizens.

The project will also make use of new technologies in order to favour the

widest and most direct access to the books, also granting publicity,

transparency, and the largest diffusion of the contents and of the results

of the project. An Internet site will ensure the presence of resources,

information and formative services addressed to the targeted public.

Timing

The project will last about one year, starting in the second semester of

2004.

Interested organizations should contact us no later than 6 October 2003

(submission deadline is 30 October 2003).

Co-organizers' expected profile

1. European public libraries at national and international level with a

particular experience and aim to:

a)develop, study, exhibit, or contribute to the history of the book

from incunabulum to e-book

b)target a young audience (mainly primary and secondary school)

with specific actions, and interest in sharing experience and skills.

2. Any other public or private institution/organization in the educational

and cultural fields that can positively contribute to project best

completion.

Contact

Elisabetta Lazzaro

Region of Veneto - Brussels Office

Rue de l'Industrie, 22 - B 1040 Brussels (Belgium)

Tel +32 2 551 0010 - Fax +32 2 551 0019

GSM +32 476 852193

e-mail