Bìblìotečnij vìsnik (Jan 2024)
Libraries and democracy: the case of German libraries
Abstract
The purpose of the work is to investigate the work of German libraries, their role in society, and the desire for innovative library services. Research methods are based on systemic and structural approaches, including an interdisciplinary approach. The scientific novelty consists in highlighting how library work in Germany becomes not only a component of the country’s economic development, but also harmoniously fits into the political, technological, security and communication contexts of society. The understanding of the role of libraries as "third places" - spaces of urban culture and education, which play a key role in the formation and support of democratic processes - is revealed. Conclusions. Today, librarу affair is a component of Germany’s economic development, and libraries themselves, as institutions, are harmoniously integrated into the political, technological, security, and communication context of society. It is determined that libraries are places of democracy and communication for all citizens and play the role of a powerful partner of civil society. The conducted analysis of the activities of public and academic libraries of the Federal Republic of Germany allows us to state that they act not just as information centers, but as important elements of the structure of civil society, ensuring freedom of information and expression of views. Public and academic libraries in Germany and beyond guarantee freedom of information and freedom of expression through their services for the transfer of information, skills, knowledge and a portfolio of activities that go beyond the provision of information andmedia: libraries at the heart of society, providers of civic education, yes so-called third places - spaces of urban culture.
