is the umbrella organisation of public libraries in Austria.

It represents the interests of the public libraries and offers service, guidance and information to more than 3,000 members. Membership in BVÖ is beeing offered to all public libraries and their responsible bodies. Cooperative members of the BVÖ are also the umbrella organisation of public libraries provided by the Catholic Church (Österreichisches Bibliothekswerk) and the umbrella organisation of the libraries of the Federal Chambour of Labour (ÖGB-Büchereiservice). Since the founding of the BVÖ in 1948 many special libraries such as prison, hospital and residential home libraries as well as numerous school libraries have joined BVÖ, as well.

Main tasks of the BVÖ are:

• lobbying for public libraries
• funding for libraries
• collect statistic data
• organise and providing trainings for librarians
• provide educative material for library issues
• provide library software
• provide advisory services to public libraries and school libraries
• provide advisory by planing a new library or rearrange libraries
• coordinate the public library network
• stimulate the developement of new services and activities in public libraries
• represent Austrian´s public libraries in national and international councils
• provide advisory for school libraries and trainings for school librarians

Contact Details

Büchereiverband Österreichs
Museumstraße 3B/12
A-1070 Vienna
Austria
Phone: +43-1-406 97 22-0
Fax: +43-1- 406 35 94 22
E-Mail: bvoe@bvoe.at