 The Depository Library of the European Communities (BDWE) is an information and documentation centre set up by the European Commission as as part of its information network. The Commission regularly provides informational and documentation materials to the Library on a charge-free basis. In return, the Library is committed to collect, distribute and make available to the public information about the European Union. Next to Depository Libraries, the information network consists of European Documentation Centres, Centres of Reference Information, Euro-Info Centres and European Information Points. They are established, as the need arises, in EU Member States, associated countries, as well as in other parts of the world.
Contact: ul. Tyniecka 15/17, 02-630 Warszawa, tel. 0 22 523 89 93, 523 89 94,523 89 91, fax. 0 22 523 98 92
email: bdwe@mail.ukie.gov.pl
The Depository Library of the European Communities
is open:
Monday - Friday: 10:00 - 18:00
Saturday: 9:00 - 14:00
All items in the Library's collection are catalogued in the automatic catalogue system MAK (BN) in the Polish language, in separate databases, depending on the type of documents (books, periodicals, documents in electronic form).
BDWE CATALOGUES
BDWE collection update
Currently, the Library offers in an intranet system access to a database of 57 Polish regional press titles. The database contains 15,991 bibliographic descriptions of articles devoted to European integration published by one of the 57 regional papers. The database contains articles that have been published since June 2000. Each bibliographic description is accompanied by a scanned full text of the article.
Library visitors can also access - via computers located in the reading room - a database of 76 nation-wide press titles that have published articles devoted to European integration. The database contains 32,932 bibliographic descriptions. Both databases are updated on a current basis.
Visitors can also browse online - via computers located in the library's reading room - a database giving access to all the issues of the "Information Bulletin of the European Communities " published by Poland's Foreign Trade Research Institute (IKiCHZ), and to the issues of the "European Studies" bulletin published by the European Centre of Warsaw University.
In 2003 and 2004, the Library’s collection was enriched by 1,532 book items, of which 687 were purchased by the Library, and 845 were donated, among others by the Office for the Official Publications of the European Communities (OOPEC). The Library’s collection currently totals 11,345 book volumes and 218 titles of periodicals.
Back to top
History
Depository libraries collect generally accessible printed documents and materials provided by European Union institutions in one of the official EU languages with a view to providing public access to them.
The Depository Library of the European Communities (BDWE) in Poland was established under a status bestowed on it by the European Commission (DEP 09340010) in September 1991. It was decided at that time that BDWE would be located in the Bureau of the Government Plenipotentiary for European Integration and Foreign Assistance. The Bureau itself was situated in the Office of the Council of Ministers.
The  Law of 8 August 1996 established the Committee for European Integration (KIE). A subsequent Regulation issued by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers assigned status to the Office of the Committee for European Integration (UKIE). At present, the BDWE operates within the European Documentation Department of UKIE.
The status assigned to BDWE by the European Commission makes it responsible for implementation of the EU informational policy, while its localisation within the structures of UKIE makes it additionally responsible for implementing the policies of UKIE.
The BDWE collects, processes and provides public access to documentation and publications relating to European integration. It also proliferates information and knowledge of the process of Poland's integration with the European Union.
Back to top
BDWE Regulations
1. The collections of the Depository Library, hereinafter called the Library, are available to the public exclusively in the reading room, is opened six days a week: Monday to Friday, between 10.00 am – 6.00 pm, and on Saturdays between 9.00 am – 2.00 pm.
2. The Library assures help in choosing needed documents and expert papers and public access to the European Communities,' Polish and foreign publications concerning European integration.
3. The European Communities' Depository Library collection and information sources are open to all individuals seeking to satisfy their professional and research aspirations and information needs.
4. A person requesting access to the Library collection must show an identity card to the librarian on duty and enter his/her name on the readers' list.
5. The requested item is handed by the librarian.
6. Rules forbid the use of mobile phones as well as eating and drinking in the Library's reading room.
7. Persons wishing to stay in the reading room must leave their outer garments on the hanger, and their bags and briefcases in a place indicated by the librarian. The Office of the Committee for European Integration does not take responsibility for thus left things.
8. Employees of the Office of the Committee for European Integration may at one time lend three items for a period of one week. Publications belonging to the reference library and OJ, COM type documents cannot be loaned.
9. A lender who fails to return the loaned item on time will be unable to lend subsequent positions.
10. A lender who fails to return the loaned item on time is twice requested in writing to do so. Failure to react to this call shall prompt the Library to address a letter to director of the organisational unit relevant to the lender.
11. A lender who loses or damages the loaned items is obliged to re-purchase them. If this is not possible, the lender is obliged to pay the Library an amount equal to the current value of the loaned item.
12. Should the work contract of an OCEI employee be terminated, he/she is obliged to return the loaned items, as confirmed by the signature and stamp of Director of the European Documentation Department on the outgoing employee's clearance strip.
Back to top
Access to collection and informational activities
The Library's collection is available to employees of central and self-governmental public administration, to workers of the Sejm and Senate Chancelleries, experts working for the OCEI, workers of scientific and research institutes, students and all other interested individuals.
The Library's collection is available on the spot only (in the reading room), without a possibility of making copies.
The Library's informational activity is targeted at:
- Giving the public access to Polish and foreign periodicals and publications on European integration issues,
- Assistance in selecting needed documents, publications and expert papers,
- Informing about bibliography and sources of European information,
- Answering questions received by phone, fax, letter or e-mail.
Back to top
Monitor Integracji Europejskiej database (only in Polish).
This database is an electronic catalogue of the contents of Monitor Integracji Europejskiej published by the Office of the Committee for European Integration.
The base is regularly updated and can be browsed via four indices: Monitor issue number, main_title (section title ), title_of article, key_ word.
In addition, the records refer the reader to the online version of the Monitor accessible from the UKIE website.
Any remarks regarding the functioning of the base should be submitted to the UKIE Depository Library of the European Communities tel. 0 22 455 53 80, email: bdwe@mail.ukie.gov.pl
Back to top
|