Case Study: 2
Norwegian Archive, Library and Museum Authority
(ABM-utvikling - Statens senter for arkiv, bibliotek og museum)
Themes
The Norwegian Archive, Library and Museum Authority was established on 1 January 2003
as a result of a merger of the Norwegian Directorate for Public Libraries, the Norwegian
Museum Authority, and the National Office for Research Documentation, Academic and Special Libraries.
Relation to wider policy agendas
e-inclusion/ social inclusion: widen access
e-learning/ life-long learning: enhanced learning opportunities
Demand
A performance review of the Ministry of Culture's agencies for archives, libraries and museums
showed opportunity for change and increased efficiency. The Ministry of Culture had responsibility
for the National Archival Services of Norway (national and regional archives), the Norwegian Directorate
for Public Libraries and the Norwegian Museum Authority. All organisations were housed in the same
building, cooperation however was non-existent.
In December 1999, the Norwegian Ministry of Culture presented a White Paper which set out the
arguments for establishing a new cross-domain agency. It mentioned the following:
- A need for new strategies and to give priority to measures that focus on innovation;
- An opportunity to strengthen the three sectors through increased cooperation;
- The need to make better use of new developments in information and communication technology;
- The importance of focussing on service users.
Description
ABM-utvikling aims to be a centre of excellence for archives, libraries and museums working
in Norway towards a future-oriented investment in collections management, documentation,
research, preservation, preparation, dissemination and publicity.
- To focus activities for service users;
- To stimulate and initiate the development and evolution of ideas within and across the sectors;
- To have an open dialogue with representatives from all three sectors;
- To promote partnerships and collaboration between the three sectors;
- To strengthen knowledge of archives, libraries and museums;
- To initiate and enhance collaboration with public authorities;
- To enhance the development, preservation, and use of Norway's cultural and knowledge-based assets;
- To ensure capacity building within the museum, library and archive sector to enable these institutions
to meet new challenges.
Barriers/constraints:
- Developing one institution out of three and merging different priorities and strategies;
- Overcoming differences in leadership, language and culture;
- Managing the process on a smaller budget;
- Finding a new balance between the tasks undertaken in the predecessor institutions whilst focussing
on development rather than inspection and control;
- Dealing with the conflicting messages in the Government's White Paper: ABM-utvikling was established
to safeguard the interests of the single domains whilst promoting and facilitating cross-domain collaboration;
- The lack of knowledge within single domains about other domains;
- The lack of resources in both time and money which has lead to single domain strategies/activities gaining
priority over cross-domain opportunities;
- Division in library sector where traditionally public libraries have been separated from research
and educational libraries;
- There has been no substantiation of the Government's promises of an increased budget in the early
years of the organisations;
- There has been limited contact with the Ministry of Education and Research which is responsible for
academic and special Libraries.
Keys to success
- The availability of project funds allows ABM-utvikling to initiate cross-domain projects and reward
bids for project funding from the three sectors;
- Close collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs;
- It is the only national cross-domain organisation that provides a platform for MLA professionals
to meet and share experiences;
- This is facilitated by conferences at regional and national level;
- There is close collaboration with MLA institutions.
Products/ services
- Culture Net Norway which is the public gateway to Norwegian culture on the Internet;
- The National Programme for Arts and Culture in Education
which aims to introduce more art and culture into schools;
- The Mapping the Archives project which intends to provide a better overview of the contents, and the state of preservation and dissemination, of local and private archival resources;
- The Norwegian Digital Library Project aims to facilitate access for all to a complete electronic information resource;
- The national museum reform is a quality reform which aims to develop national networks; to promote greater consolidation and more cohesive professional units; and to provide the sector with generous operating funds;
- A Future Strategy for Libraries;
- Strategies for care and management of collections;
- Cross-domain leadership training.
Impact
The impact of the establishment of ABM-utvikling has been:
- A stronger focus in governmental and political institutions on the importance of museums, archives and libraries in society;
- Improved capacity and competencies within the sector;
- New methods of presentation, for example in the use of ICT;
- Quality-based education and services for school children;
- Increased and improved accessibility to knowledge and cultural content;
- Presentation of controversial and contemporary issues.
Dissemination of lessons learned
Presentations at conferences in the Nordic countries and Russia. Presentations for
International Council of Museums (ICOM), International Council on Archives (ICA),
International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), the Ligue des Bibliothèques
Européennes de Recherche (LIBER) and the triennial Anglo-Scandinavian Public Library Conference.
Domains involved
Museums, archives and libraries
Geographical coverage
Norway
Standards/Guidelines used
Before ABM-utvikling was established the Ministry of Culture reviewed organisational
and working practices in the UK (MLA) and USA (Institute for Museum and Library Services,
Washington DC) and Canada.
Partnership
Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs
Ministry of Education and Research
Ministry of Environment
Funding sources
Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs
Operational funds: 6.2 million Euro (2004)
Project funding (allocated to external projects through an annual call for proposals and
projects initiated by ABM-utvikling): 4,3 million Euro (2004)
Lifespan of project
Permanent institution
Status of project
ABM-utvikling was established in 2003. In 2005 the organisation will be evaluated.
Relates to
http://www.abm-utvikling.no/om/english.html
Kjelder til kunnskap og oppleving (the White Paper which is the basis for the
establishment of ABM-utvikling), in Norwegian only.
http://odin.dep.no/kkd/norsk/dok/regpubl/stmeld/018005-044002/dok-bn.html
Culture up to 2014. Summary and introduction (White Paper on Culture from 2003)
http://odin.dep.no/filarkiv/191373/summary_kulturmeldingen_korrekt_versjon.pdf
Host Organisation
Norwegian Archive, Library and Museum Authority
(ABM-utvikling - Statens senter for arkiv, bibliotek og museum)
Organisation type
The Norwegian Archive, Library and Museum Authority is a public institution under the authority of the
Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs.
ABM-utvikling is lead by a Board consisting of eight members appointed by the Ministry of Culture and
Church Affairs for a four-year period. Two board members are appointed in consultation with the Ministry
of Education and Research, one in consultation with the Ministry of the Environment, and two others and their
deputies upon recommendation by the other Board members. The Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs appoints
the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board. ABM-utvikling's Director-General participates in Board meetings.
The Norwegian Archive, Library and Museum Authority has approximately 60 employees, working in three
departments: Administration; Information; and Strategy and Planning. The Administration and the Information
Departments are each headed by a Department Director, while the Department of Strategy and Planning, the
largest, is jointly headed by three Department Directors. ABM-utvikling's director has overall responsibility
and, in conjunction with the five department directors, makes up the executive group.
ABM-utvikling's mission statement is: 'Archives, libraries and museums are places of new knowledge and
experience for all'.
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