The Association of Seventh-day Adventist Librarians (ASDAL) organized its 4th Conference of Adventist Libraries in Europe (ASDAL-EU) from June 11th to 17th, 2024. This significant event was hosted on the campus of Friedensau Adventist University, Germany. It brought together librarians and professionals with the aim of enhancing the capabilities and reach of Adventist libraries across Europe. The conference, themed "Strengthening Adventist Libraries in Europe," served as a platform for sharing knowledge, networking, and discussing future strategies for library development within the Adventist educational system.
The gathering aimed at enhancing collaboration, knowledge exchange, and idea exploration to bolster the role of Adventist libraries within their respective educational institutions. Choosing Friedensau for the meet-up was a strategic move, allowing participants to directly experience campus life, delve into the operations of the campus library, and engage with the spiritual atmosphere that characterizes Friedensau.
The institutions represented included Serbia's Belgrade Theological Seminary Library, Friedensau Adventist University Library in Germany, Collonges Adventist University Library from France, Poland's College of Theology and Humanities Library, the UK's Newbold College of Higher Education Library, Germany's School Center Marienhöhe Library, and the Archives of the Inter-European Division located in Switzerland.
Roland Fischer, rector of Friedensau Adventist University, Marius Munteanu, director of the Department of Education of the Inter-European Division (EUD), and Michelle Carbonilla, then ASDAL International president, 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, 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 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 or not they work for an Adventist institution.
The original article was published on the Trans-European Division website.
