The Netherlands

As a Specialist of Adult Education working in the the Public library Gelderland Zuid(city of Nijmegen) in the Netherlands, I was invited to visit the activities of the Adult Learners Week in Tallinn and Rapla in Estonia.
Three full days with a busy schedule. We were received in Tallinna Vanalinna Upper Secondary School for Adults, and after a presentation about the work of Andras, two learners (award winners) told us about their experiences with learning and what it has done for them in their daily lives.
 
In the afternoon we visited the "Learning Tram" in Tallinn, a good initiative for new learners to acquire and promote "Lifelong Learning".
 
Next day we were invited in the Upper Secondary School Rapla Vesiroosi for the opening of the Estonian National Adult Learners Week. Here we were unfortunately unable to understand what was being said (all in Estonian) but it was nice to see a large number of learners who were put in the spotlight at the Award's ceremony. Later we visited a library in Rapla County and here I saw big differences with the libraries as we know them in the Netherlands but I also saw some similarities. Our next visit was to The Manor Tohisoo Kohila training center in Rapla, which was very impressive because the emphasis here is on informal learning. Here one can become proficient in music, ceramics, sewing, weaving and working with metal. And all in a beautiful building, a real Manor. Here we experienced a very spontaneous performance by a beautiful choir during a rehearsal: for us a real gift!
 
On our last day in Tallinn we went to a reception at the City Hall for Award Ceremony 's. It was so good to see how proud everyone was of himself, for having achieved such good results in adult education.
 
During this trip I have experienced that commitment to adult education is very important and that there is still much to do for us librarians. One of the ideas that I will definitely take over is the calendar of the award winner. I will certainly use it in the future.
For me this trip was a great experience and it made me a lot wiser. I realize that I myself am also not to old keep learning constantly!
 
Dorry Massee
Specialist Adult Education
Public library Gelderland Zuid
The Netherlands