Finland's Model

Finland is often cited as an example when it comes to public library. No wonder. The attendance rate is nearly 80%, the school dropout rate around 0.034%. In comparison, the estimated attendance rate in Québec is 35.8% while the school dropout rate is around 31% according to the report of the Groupe d'action sur la persévérance scolaire au Québec of March 2009. (The figures come from a press release issued by Suzane Payette, President of Public Library of Quebec. In French.)

 

One reason that may explain the success of Finland in the field lies in the good relations that librarians have with politicians (and vice versa!). (See Demain, la bibliothèque..., BBF 2006 - Paris, vol 51, No. 6)

 

 

 

Internet Bus

 

To see and learn a little more, here are 2 French blogs:

• http://lebibwebzine.blogspot.com/2009/03/decouvrir-les-bibliotheques.html
• http://www.bibliobsession.net/2007/10/28/un-regard-sur-les-bibliotheques-finlandaises/