European Adventist Librarians Find Collaboration, Knowledge in Germany

From June 11 to 17, the Fourth Conference of Adventist Libraries in Europe (ASDAL-EU) convened on the campus of Friedensau Adventist University, Germany, focusing on the theme “Strengthening Adventist Libraries in Europe.”

The purpose was to find ways for librarians to work together, share knowledge, and explore ideas aimed at strengthening the role of Adventist libraries in the schools and colleges they serve. The plan to meet at Friedensau was intentional for several reasons — to get a feel of campus life, experience the work of the campus library, and experience a taste of the school’s spiritual life.

Of all European Adventist institutions invited, librarians attended from Belgrade Theological Seminary Library (Serbia), Friedensau Adventist University Library (Germany), Collonges Adventist University Library (France), College of Theology and Humanities Library (Poland), Newbold College of Higher Education Library (United Kingdom), School Center Marienhöhe Library (Germany), and Archives of the Inter-European Division (EUD, Switzerland).

Friedensau Adventist University president Roland Fischer, EUD education director Marius Munteanu, and then ASDAL international president Michelle Carbonilla addressed the conference participants with inspirational speeches about the development of libraries and how they can serve with greater purpose for research and ideas to build God’s kingdom.

In addition to lectures on running libraries with excellence, participants had the opportunity to visit several outstanding libraries in Halle and Berlin, including the theology section of the Potsdam University library. A memorable experience was the visit to the world-renowned Park Sanssouci, where nature, architecture, and elegance meet.

Halle offered the unique opportunity to view a rare collection at the State and University Library Halle. Attendees were given specially tailored information sessions and guides to the library’s history, digitization area, and e-publishing platform. In Berlin, participants visited state-of-the-art libraries and historical monuments against intolerance, such as the Holocaust Memorial and the Empty Library. The first was built in response to actions against a people, and the latter against ideas. It can be confidently said that the programming created a positive and memorable impression on the participants.

The goal of ASDAL–Europe is to forge leaders who will stay at the cutting edge of library service to support schools and colleges as centers of educational excellence, organization leaders explained. “The aim is to help today’s generation of Adventist students prepare their lives for service through research and inquiry, using their new discoveries to build up the kingdom of God,” they said. “To serve effectively in contemporary Europe, the college library is as essential to their learning as the lecturer.”

The vision is for all current and retired European librarians and archivists, library staff, and volunteers in this field to join the newly established ASDAL European Chapter, regardless of whether they work for an Adventist institution.

The original version of this story was posted on the Trans-European Division news site.