The Dutch Association for Library, Information and Knowledge Professionals (NVB) was founded in 1912 and has approximately 2.200 members. 

Aims
The association aims at:
- promotion of the profession in its many forms
- stimulation of activities aimed at improvement of the level of professionalism of its members
- promotion and lobby for the interests of the profession.

Activities
Promoting contacts and networking among its members is the primary means of achieving these aims. To this end workshops, seminars, conferences, training courses and study trips are organised. In cooperation with Essentials Media the NVB organizes an annual Conference and is one of the four members of the Federation for the Organisations in the field of Library, Information and Documentation Services (FOBID). The NVB promotes professional publications, both within the association itself and commercially and publishes a bi-weekly ezine (electronic newsletter).

Formal contact is maintained with the various organizations and institutions which provide training for information professionals, e.g. library schools, universities and GO opleidingen, a private foundation for the training of librarians, documentalists, library managers and archivists.

Organization
The NVB is organized in chapters some reflecting the type of library (Research Libraries, College School Libraries, Special Libraries, Public Libraries) others reflecting a particular interest (Juridical Information, Biomedical Information, Serials Group, Users of Online Information. Literature Researchers). Each chapter has its own elected chapter committee and operates with a high degree of autonomy. The chapters have their own sections and working committees to meet their own policy requirements and activities.

The chapters are organized in four clusters:
cluster 1: Prissma
cluster 2: Research, College and School Libraries
cluster 3: Public Libraries
cluster 4: Biomedical Information, Juridical Information and Special Libraries.

The Association has an Executive Committee, which is elected by the Association's members at the General Assembly. This Executive Committee meets 4 times a year. Each of the four clusters is represented through a chair in the Executive Committee.

At the semi-annual General Assembly meetings the Association's members decide on policy and budget issues. The General Assembly is the highest organ of the Association. The Association has a small secretariat (three part time employees) and a managing director. All other functions are executed on a voluntary basis. The Association is self-supporting and receives no governmental subsidy.

Policy development
The Executive Committee is supported by permanent or ad hoc advisory committees, for example the Advisory Committee for Education and Training. External advocacy and lobbying on behalf of the profession is largely channelled through umbrella organizations such as FOBID, EBLIDA and IFLA.

Membership
The NVB has individual and institutional members as well as donators. The membership fee depends on the service package. The basic fee for individuals is EUR 55.00, membership per chapter is EUR 7.50. For institutions the fee  depends on the mumber of staff employed in its information section.

NVB members are entitled to a 50% reduction on subscriptions to the professional journal InformatieProfessional. Members receive an ezine (electronic newsletter), decide on policy at the General Assembly meetings and take part in workshops, seminars, conferences and training courses organised by the association and its chapters free of charge or at much reduced rates.

Editor Newsletter Mr M.G. Wesseling / E m.g.wesseling(at)gmail.com.