On September 8 and 9 of this year, specialists of the Ogre Central Library participated in the International Mobile Library Congress in Cuxhaven, Germany, where comprehensive information was obtained about the services provided by mobile libraries in Europe and the world, and the bibliobus of the Ogre Central Library was presented.
For the second time, the Mobile Libraries Commission of the German Librarians’ Association organized an international congress especially for mobile libraries in cooperation with the city of Cuxhaven. In addition to the varied program of lectures, the main focus was on the exchange of information between mobile library service providers and a colorful program of events for the general public near the North Sea port.
The congress dedicated to mobile libraries is the largest event of its kind in Europe. It is organized by the Mobile Libraries Commission of the German Librarians’ Association in cooperation with the municipality of the city of Cuxhaven. The previous and first such event took place in 2019 in the German city of Hanover. More than 250 participants from 15 countries took part in it. Discussions, lectures and other congress events are bilingual – both in English and German.
The organizers of the congress believe that many people consider mobile libraries, or bibliobuses, as exotic and in some cases even as an extinct, obsolete “species”. By organizing the congress, attracting providers of this service and telling about mobile libraries to the general public, the organizers of the congress offer the opportunity to create new ideas and introduce the diversity, efficiency and modernity of mobile libraries to the general public.
The services provided by mobile libraries directly promote and promote reading, cultural accessibility and create an opportunity to reach the target audience in a more flexible and efficient way, not only with books, but also, for example, by organizing discussions, reading clubs, etc. In this sense, mobile libraries are also often referred to as promoters of positive change in rural and other neighborhoods with limited access to cultural offerings.
Member of the European Parliament David McAllister at the congress, questions about mobile libraries as places for promoting democracy were brought up. At a time when we all need to be vigilant and know how to distinguish between fake information and news, access to reliable sources of information is especially important. The public library, including the mobile library, is the place where everyone has access to safe and reliable information sources and resources free of charge.
In the congress program, a great emphasis was placed on the exchange of experiences of mobile library professionals from different countries, and it was also designed to be diverse and attractive enough, thus proving that the idea of a mobile library is so valuable and useful to the general public that it is worth implementing as a stable library service.
During the event, the participants had the opportunity to see mobile libraries or bibliobuses from different European countries. Industry specialists from Germany, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Estonia, the Netherlands, Denmark, Luxembourg and Latvia spoke at the congress.
Latvia was presented at the International Congress of Mobile Libraries in Cuxhaven by Aija Bremšmite, information specialist of the Ogre Central Library, introducing the library and the service provided by the bibliobus or mobile branch library to the people present. In addition, a small insight was given about the plans to develop and improve the mobile library service, thus opening up much wider opportunities for the citizens to learn, get more information, carry out various household matters remotely and enjoy culture.
We invite you to read more about the International Congress of Mobile Libraries in Cuxhaven HERE.
2023-10-09 11:28:51
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