Since 1976, UKB has been the joint venture of the 13 Dutch University Libraries and the National Library of the Netherlands (KB).

Mission

UKB aims to

• Support and accelerate scientific progress by promoting and facilitating sustainable (open) knowledge for all; and
• ensuring reliable knowledge that is permanently freely available.

UKB seeks to achieve this goal by cooperating in the following areas:

• development, acquisition and management of sustainably accessible scientific collections and promotion of their use by researchers, teachers, students and general public;
• development of and innovations in shared knowledge infrastructure;
• promotion and facilitation of open knowledge
• inspiration and innovation in user applications, and;
• development of competencies and skills.

UKB further seeks to achieve the goal by:

• knowledge sharing and knowledge promotion and advocacy through cooperation with relevant university affiliations, national and international trade associations and organizations of libraries and adjacent fields of work;
• advocacy of UKB with governments and the Association of Universities of the Netherlands (UNL);
• jointly applying for grants, and;
• entering into licenses for the benefit of parties and associated institutions (UKB licenses).

Priorities 2024-2025

In 2024 and 2025, UKB prioritises the following topics:

Positioning

All university libraries face a rapidly changing environment. Digitisation of the primary process of research and teaching also changes its support. This affects library services, leading to new job profiles such as data steward, data manager and research software engineer. I In addition, the manifestation of scientific output has become much broader: besides text, there are data, software, algorithms, AI models, etc. The UB’s broadening of tasks (e.g. Open Science, Civic Engagement, Heritage, Art, Library as a third Space) also has consequences for its positioning within the university and beyond. Within the theme of positioning, we address the strategic issues at play for each UB as a result of the rapidly changing playing field. How do we relate to the (internal) organisation, and how do we position ourselves towards the future? How do we relate to the (internal) organisation, and how do we position ourselves towards the future?

Open scholarly communication

The university libraries and the KB National Library promote open scholarship and education and support users to make the best use of it. They offer the outside world access to scholarly knowledge and emphasise the social relevance of Dutch education and research. Read more about how UKB is working together to achieve the transition to Open Science.

Development of competences and skills

UKB responds to the changing information world and the evolving role of libraries. The libraries work to ensure the sustainable employability of their staff by promoting knowledge sharing, collaboration and joint competence development. Read more about how UKB is working together to help realise this priority.