Kompetenznetzwerk für Bibliotheken (KNB – Competency Network for Libraries)

The Kompetenznetzwerk für Bibliotheken (knb – Competence Network for Libraries) fulfils supraregional tasks of librarianship in a decentralized manner. It took up its work on 1 February 2004.

The network was founded to ensure essential services for libraries and librarianship in total. The number and type of services was compiled before the foundation of the knb by a round table of all library institutions active on a supraregional level in a report to the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the German Länder. This report contains the basic concept of the competence network, representing the most important foundation of the knb's work. The document lists the following objectives of the knb:

• Making information and facts for planning and decision-taking available on a national and regional level
• Identifying strategic priorities
• Strengthening the role of the libraries on an international scale and supporting international relations
• Supporting the libraries' innovation and development potential

The Competence Network for Libraries is funded jointly by all German Länder. It reports to the universities and colleges commission of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder.

Further information:
Competence Network for Libraries