5. LIBRARIES AT THE AMSTERDAM SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

As mentioned previously, the situation as regards ICT and libraries as the traditional source of teaching materials and information is unique and needs special attention. Updating old computer cataloguing systems is one of their primary concerns at the moment. Support needs to be provided for this as well as to enable them to begin collecting digital reference materials (for example, CD-ROMs which will probably never replace the books and tapes in the library but begin to gather alongside them) and arranging the necessary facilities for access to these. All libraries already maintain computers connected to the Internet. Where possible the number of these computers should be increased, but a distinction made that the use of these computers should be reserved for library related work. Training of library staff in basic ITC research skills including internet should continue.

There is a proposal that some of the libraries will move into the new building for the FTV to form a central library facility for the AHK. This proposal mostly effects the Theaterschool library, and we recommend very strongly against this idea. Libraries should remain at the physical location of faculties where they can be accessed easily by the students studying on that particular faculty. This may be especially true for the Theaterschool students who are often trying to catch some time in the library between classes still dressed in rehearsal clothing. It is guaranteed that if the library were to move to the FTV building, we would see a drop in the attendance of Theaterschool students there. We realise that this proposal may be a measure aimed at helping to solve some of the space problems in the new building, but we still recommend against it. If the intention is to make the catalogs and collections of other libraries available to all students, then it would make sense to begin to research the possibility of a "virtual library" where an on-line catalog could exist which would include all the collections of the AHK.

The libraries have a team of library employees from across the AHK who meet regularly to discuss various issues. This team should be included in the general support given to the implementation of ICT at the AHK and be in contact with the ICT Coordinator.

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