Who we are
The European Parliament's Directorate-General for Parliamentary Research Services (DG EPRS) provides comprehensive research and analytical support to the Members of the European Parliament, its parliamentary committees and the European Parliament as a whole. The EPRS philosophy is to provide independent, objective and authoritative information. More than 300 staff work in the DG's 25 units and services.
More information about EPRS is available here:
Why choose a traineeship at DG EPRS?
'Empowering through knowledge' is the guiding principle of EPRS. As an EPRS trainee, you will be exposed to the core of the research and analysis process in the European Parliament. Surrounded by colleagues working on publications covering a wide range of EU policies, you will gain detailed knowledge of the EP's workings while honing your skills in your specific topic of interest. If you choose a traineeship in one of EPRS's library units, you will help the parliamentary community find the resources they need for their work.
We are a team of around 12 library professionals, managing the Brussels Reading Room of the Library of the European Parliament. Our collection focuses on European policies, law, international relations and politics. Apart from the print books, there is a growing number of e-books (now more than 280 000) and online databases, media sources and specialised e-journals.
We operate a front desk, replying to some 20 000 reference requests per year and we organise classroom or individual training sessions for our clients, e.g. in the use of databases. Regularly, the Library's reading room is the venue for events with an academic character, organised by the European Parliamentary Research Service or by Members.
Your tasks
Depending on your background and interests, you could participate in a variety of library tasks including:
- Catalogue maintenance;
- Collection management, including electronic resources;
- Assistance with events held in the Library;
- Assistance in the management of the Reading Room or assistance with enquiries at the front desk.
You are
- You have a strong interest in libraries and you are aware of the information needs of researchers;
- You should preferably have experience of working in a library and/or an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in librarianship or information science;
- You have a keen interest in ICT with the focus on the end user and have strong communication skills;
- You have a very good knowledge of English. At least a passive knowledge of other EU languages, especially French, is an advantage.
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