Interviews with Slovak SK-Libris Participants

In March 2000 Matt Kollasch conducted a series of interviews with eleven Slovak participants in SK-Libris. The purpose of these interviews was to help evaluate the SK-Libris initiatives. One impression that frequently came out of the interviews is the significant and positive impact that SK-Libris has had in the Slovak Library community. More than one participant said that the SK-Libris ideals, ideas and activities "inspired" them. Certain aspects of the project are easy to measure (e.g., access to databases via the WWW), however these interviews revealed that incremental shifts of thinking did occur due to SK-Libris initiatives. These thought processes are certainly difficult to measure, but nonetheless provide insight into the project’s value to the Slovak library community.

Darina Krausova said that SK-Libris "inspired me in many different ways… getting inspired in itself is very nice." She also said she learned a lot about cooperation among librarians. "This is crucial," she said, "For the library community… solo parts are not the way… [SK-Libris] was a great motivation for cooperation that will be for sure reflected in our work and it is a kind of platform on which we can build our activities. This linkage creates a basis for cooperation, mutual contacts, sharing of information, simply, breaking borders in everything…]"

Daniela Gondová, on the Week of Slovak Libraries, said "We were inspired by the American Library Association and workshops with Sharman Smith and Gerald Hodges that took place last year." She also noted that she was surprised and pleased at how well her various colleagues cooperated with her as she made the many arrangements for meetings and workshops. "SK-Libris activities," she continued, "Helped her make her library visible and that the awareness of her library’s services was raised at the Comenius."

Melánia Majeríkova realized after her participation in the study tour that she "must become more involved with the students." Melánia also noted that she is now more aware of the importance of cooperation with other law libraries in Slovakia and abroad. Melánia Majeríková also observed, "Every library, even if not directly involved in the project, had opportunity to establish cooperation… not only those who were initially involved in the project but also others could establish contact s and cooperation."

Danka Petrasova said, "SK-Libris somehow connected us."

Beáta Bellérová said that the project is gratifying because she now knows her colleagues in Nitra much better and that she hoped to keep cooperating with them in the years to come. If the project were to continue, Beata thinks that Nitra librarians should become engaged in other aspects of the project, not just the union catalog. "We must", she says, "Move on so we don’t become stagnant".

Jan Gula learned most from "personal exchange" and would like to continue the project in that vein alone.