The Association of Hungarian Librarians
Magyar Könyvtárosok Egyesülete (MKE)
http://www.mke.oszk.hu/
Founded in 1935, the Association of Hungarian Librarians is the oldest library-related professional organisation in Hungary. It has 2,200 individual and 60 institutional members. The Association aims to:
assist in the shaping and implementation of national library and information policy
represent the library field in the national development strategies
safeguard the interests of library and information professionals
advise librarians in building strategic partnerships with authorities, sponsors and institutions in other sectors
enhance the public relations of libraries
promote cooperation between libraries at both national and international levels
support the professional development of librarians
The Association runs 20 local groups organised at county level; a further 10 professional sections are available based on types of libraries, types of services or other common areas of interest. Members can register for more than one section.
The annual conference of the Association - organised in July and attracting 600-800 participants per year - has become the most important professional event in the Hungarian library field. Every two years, the international conference of Hungarian librarians living abroad takes place in conjunction with the national event.
Alliance of Libraries and Information
Institutes
Informatikai és Könyvtári Szövetség (IKSZ)
http://vein.hu/library/iksz
The Alliance of Libraries and Information Institutes was founded in 1990 and has become a large national organisation grouping more than 230 institutional members. Its mission is to increase and strengthen the profile of libraries both at national and local level through the development of library activities, the enhancement of library services and the cooperation of various types of libraries for mutual benefit. The Alliance of Libraries and Information Institutes has various branches according to geographical regions, types of libraries and other professional interests. It publishes 'Library Correspondent' and has issued a number of professional publications on library management.
Other professional organisations
A number of other organisations representing various types of libraries were set up in the last 10-15 years. The most important ones are the Association of University Librarians (Egyetemi Könyvtárigazgatók Kollégiuma - EKE), the Alliance of College and Faculty Librarians (Foiskolai és Kari Könyvtárigazgatók Szövetsége - FKKSZ), the Association of Ecclesiastical Libraries (Egyházi Könyvtárak Egyesülése - EKE), the Hungarian Reading Association (HUNRA) and the Alliance of Hungarian Medical Libraries (Magyar Orvosi Könyvtárak Szövetsége - MOKSZ), and the PUBLIKA Public Library Group (Publika Magyar Könyvtári Kör).
