VLE: Network to Progress

This VLE: Network to Progress brings together people with diverse perspectives and expertise to tackle challenges collaboratively. Understanding what these challenges uphold for all respective libraries will enable library professionals to think through their real-life challenges and to find solutions that resonate well with the needs of their communities and their environment. By sharing the challenges and individual change processes of the libraries, through a lens of change management, the lessons and final outcomes are not only tailor-made but also genuinely useful for further collaboration, which will strengthen the network of the Caribbean and European Dutch libraries. 

VLE: Design Thinking

The Virtual Library Exchange: Design Thinking (VLEDT) programme, an online initiative connecting European and Caribbean libraries, was designed to foster collaboration and cultivate a shared understanding of the Design Thinking (DT) methodology. Through six interactive sessions, participants from both regions engaged with the DT process by taking on a personal challenge—a project rooted in the unique needs of their respective libraries.

Design Thinking is a dynamic, human-centered approach to problem-solving that prioritizes empathy, creativity, and iterative experimentation. This methodology offers a framework to address complex, real-world challenges by deeply engaging with the needs and perspectives of affected communities. In VLEDT, participants moved through the DT stages—Inspiration, Ideation, and Testing—encouraged to interact directly with the audiences their projects aimed to serve. This continuous iteration provided a foundation for actionable insights and iterative refinement, ensuring solutions stayed adaptable in a rapidly changing environment.

VLE: You, me & The Library

The Virtual Library Exchange constituted a collaborative venture between the Royal Library and the Sharing Perspectives Foundation. Spanning a duration of 12 weeks, from May to July 2023, this carefully orchestrated program convened library professionals from the European Netherlands and the Caribbean Netherlands. Guided by experienced facilitators, participants engaged in a structured dialogue aimed at enhancing collaborative endeavours. Sessions were conducted bi-weekly, each lasting two hours, with a specific focus on fostering improved cooperation among library staff.

The Virtual Library Exchange succeeded in fostering a collaborative network among library professionals from the European Netherlands and the Caribbean Netherlands. The overwhelmingly positive feedback indicates a strong foundation for ongoing collaboration. The programme not only met its learning objectives but also sparked enthusiasm among participants for continued engagement and partnership.