Mission Statement of Public Libraries in Austria

Unanimously adopted by the General Assembly of the Austrian Library Association on June 21, 2002 in Vienna

SOCIETY AND LIBRARIES IN A STATE OF FLUX

Our society is undergoing a process of radical change. New information and communication technologies are influencing all realms of life – school, labor, education and culture, coexistence, even social structures, and also, of course, public libraries.

Information society gives every individual opportunities for personal development and the possibility to shape society. At the same time, a two-class society is emerging:  on the one hand, those who have access to the new technologies, and on the other, those who do not. The rift between those who have little information and those who have a lot is becoming ever greater. Social tensions are imminent.

Like hardly any other institution, public libraries can contribute to avoiding such social conflicts. Their job has always been to provide information. 10,000 librarians see it as their duty to collect information, to order, process it and and to make it available to all members of society – without any commercial interest. Access is easy since libraries can be found everywhere. At 2,600 locations there are already 1.2 million constant users. They do not just access to books. New technologies provide access to information and education networks worldwide. The new forms of communication in public libraries help to counteract increasing social isolation and prevent society from drifting apart.

One thing can be said for sure. Libraries  are not just fulfilling traditional functions in a different way. Rather, they offer a plethora of additional services. They function as centers for culture, education, information and social integration. This is only possible when they have sufficient facilities as well as enough funds and qualified staff.