|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| The Public Library as a Center of Social Integration |
Public libraries are nodes in knowledge networks at the foundation of society. They have to retain their traditional social function while at the same time they must redefine it. Their mission - serving non-commercial interests and promoting democracy - also means that they must recognize social problems and inequities - and contribute to finding a solution. A central problem in the information society of the 21st century is the rift between those who have little information and those who have a lot. The public libraries can help overcome this rift since they are open to all. Creating equal opportunities in the access to new information technologies and reducing barriers of use are thus among the most urgent tasks in library work.
In addition public libraries have to maintain their social-integrative function as places of encounter and communication. They also provide special services for individuals in specific life situations. Missionizing and patronzing are not called for here. Here the concern is meeting certain legitimate demands.
Public libraries have thus developed special forms of library supply - e.g., patient libraries, libraries for senior citizens, prison libraries. They bring books to the people and assist physically handicapped individual or marginalized social groups. Working together with partners they cater to target groups of social integrative library work such as immigrants, unemployed persons, handicapped, those lacking information and secondary illiterates. They contribute significantly to integrating immigrants and ethnic minorities by making available books, journals and audio-visual media in their languages at libraries located in their respective living areas.
Public libraries
- ... offer all citizens - irrespective of social, material, religious, health and ethnic status - free access to information
- ... contribute to creating and promoting social awareness by means of target group-oriented services and need-oriented media services
- ... see ensuring equal opportunities in access to new information technologies and reducing use barriers as one of their most urgent tasks
- ... offer special services through social integrative library work for individuals suffering from deficiencies in their living conditions.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
