The Norwegian Archive, Library and Museum Authority was established on 1 January 2003 following the merger of the Norwegian Directorate for Public Libraries, the Norwegian Museum Authority and the National Office for Research Documentation, Academic and Special Libraries. The Authority is headed by a board of eight members who are appointed by the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs (in consultation with other Ministries) for a four year term.

As a strategic body it promotes partnership and collaboration between the three sectors while addressing specific sector issues and challenges. Its objectives are to work towards the improved development, preservation and use of Norway's cultural and knowledge-based assets, and to improve the ability of the archives, libraries and museum sectors' ability to operate in the modern world. It invests in collections management, documentation, research, preservation, preparation , dissemination and publicity. As a consultative and advocacy body, the ABM-utvikling engages with the public authorities at various administrative and governmental levels. A major area of its work is the development of standards in ICT in the three sectors and measures which promote improvement in and exchange of experience between professionals. It also promotes joint projects within and across the sectors and gives project grants (announced annually) to institutions within each sector (including to projects which it initiates itself) that assist the sectors 'to engage in meeting new societal challenges' (Source: ABM-utvikling leaflet 2003).

The Authority is divided into three departments: Strategy and planning, Administration, and Information.

Its major initiatives are Norwegian Cultural Network, Art and Culture in the Classroom (see below), Mapping the Archives, the Electronic Library and the Museum Reform.

Mapping the Archives is a project surveying the state of preservation and holdings of local and private archival sources and disseminating information on these.

The Electronic Library projects aims to facilitate public access to the complete electronic information resources with the library sector of Norway.

The Museum Reform is a qualitative reform process, aiming to promote greater consolidation and more cohesive professional units, to develop national networks and provide the sector with generous operating funds.

Related articles in this Cultural Profile: Sectoral overview, Archives and Museums.

Please click on the link Norwegian Cultural Network

(www.denkulturelleskolesekken.no) This national programme for arts and culture in education is introducing and encouraging the spread of art and culture throughout the school system. Den kulturelle skolesekken (DKS) is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Research. The Authority (acting as secretariat for the project) also cooperates with the Directorate of Primary and Secondary Education.