DENMARK

Citizens information at public libraries

SPLQ has already outlined some of the
changes that the reform of the municipality
structure brought with it for the
public libraries in Denmark. The libraries
now have an official role in providing
citizens with help and information
on public authorities and their
services whether it be acquiring a digital
signature or ordering a health insurance
certificate.

This has been the reality for the public
library of Svinninge ever since the local
town hall was closed down at the turn
of the year when the five municipalities
of Holbæk, Jernløse, Svinninge, Tornved
and Tølløse were merged. The staff
of eight has got used to the fact that library
users may not only ask for Astrid
Lindgren’s The Brothers Lionheart but
also a new bus pass or batteries for a
hearing aid.

The line is drawn at dealing with the
users’ money matters. According to the
staff, after some initial confusion the
service has worked fine and multitasking
has become a part of their
working day.

(Bibliotekspressen 14/2007)

Fitness for mind and body
at your local library

The Idea Store of Fredericia Sports
Centre is a public library branch with a
difference where the users can literally
take care of both their body and soul
during the same visit. The latest of
Fredericia’s idea stores was modelled
after its counterparts in London and
opened in mid-August 2007 with a
grant from the Danish Library Agency.
The goal of the idea stores is to combine
traditional library and information
services with opportunities for
life-long learning and take these where
the potential users are gathered. One of
the objectives is also to bring members
of the community together, at natural
meeting places such as sports halls or
schools. At such familiar gatherings
ideas get exchanged, giving way to new
ideas. After a good swim you can meet
people, borrow books, search the Internet
and also get help from a librarian
a few hours a week.

(Danmarks Biblioteker 6/2007)

NORWAY

Library Laboratory

– a playground for developers
Biblioteklaboratoriet, The Library
Laboratory, is a cooperation between
The Norwegian Archive, Library and
Museum Authority – through the programme
the Norwegian Digital
Library– and the Oslo University
College. The goal is to create an open
rendezvous for librarians and all who
use and develop the digital resources
and tools for libraries.
The developers would like to see the
Laboratory as an active platform for
communication and development, a
playground for all who are interested in
library data and social technology. The
ultimate goal is, of course, better user
services through new and innovative
solutions.

The Laboratory makes use of blogs,
wikis and the Library Thing. All users
are invited to add their articles,
descriptions of projects or definitions
of related terms in the Laboratory wiki.
In connection with the opening of the
Laboratory site several competitions
were announced for e.g. finding the
most functional library website in
Norway.

(Bibliotekaren 8/2007)

SWEDEN

Hearing out the local community

The Danish Fredericia Library is not
the only Scandinavian public library to
follow in the footsteps of the idea
stores in London. In January 2008 the
Garage Library branch of Malmo public
library will open its doors.
It is called Garage Library for the
obvious reason that the building has
earlier served as a bus depot. One of
the goals, as for other idea stores as
well, is social inclusion. In Malmo, the
Garage Library is next door to a music
hall, school, community centre and a
care housing unit. The library will
cooperate with the local college and its
lighting design education program.
Also the Centre for urban integration
will move into the same building.

In autumn 2007, the library has already
met with the locals and asked their
opinion on the library services needed
in the area. Computers, new technology,
a café, creative workshops, homework
help and all kinds of exhibitions
are already on the wish list.More
wishes and ideas can be sent through
the library website. Hearing out the
local inhabitants is likely to give the
new library a good start and a warm
welcome within the community.

(Biblioteksbladet 7/2007;
http://www.malmo.se/kulturbibliotek/)

Presenting electronic resources
During three weeks in October the
public libraries in the Stockholm area
made an extra effort to present all their
electronic resources and services on the
web. Several ads were published in national
newspapers and a website presented
the services with links to all
local library websites.

Apart from the more well-known eservices
of renewing and reserving library
material on the web library users
can borrow e-music or e-books and
use databases and other electronic resources
licensed by the library. Now the
users can also borrow talking books
through the library website. The streaming
e-books can be listened to while
connected to the Internet, and the loan
period is 28 days.

(http://www.e-bibliotek.se)

FINLAND

Finland’s first mobile library
in need of restoration

While most news is by definition about
new developments, it’s sometimes
refreshing to come across greetings
from the past. Finland’s first mobile
library started on its route in Turku in
1961. It was replaced by a new model
in 1975 and sold on as a motor home.
In 2000 it was, quite accidentally, found
elsewhere in the country where it had
served as lodging for fishermen for several
years. A recently founded association
is now trying to get it restored to
its former glory.

(http://www05.turku.fi/kirjasto/linkit/
auto/noutokeikka.htm)

Super librarian to the rescue

Super librarian, Super Libby to her
friends, is touring the libraries and
schools in Finland. The Super Librarian
campaign is a joint effort of the
Finnish Library Association and the
Ministry of Education to instruct and
inform library staff, teachers and parents
about media education for 7-8
year-olds.

After a series of seminars several
dozens of pilot schools and libraries
will work together to enter more
deeply into the world of media with
the help of material on media education
produced during the campaign.
The package will present inspirational
projects, list contact information for
media education professionals, give
practical tips for librarians, teachers
and parents on media education etc.

The Super librarian has got her own
logo, theme song (plus some), posters
and brochures which all the pilot
schools will receive. Needless to say,
there is also a weblog where all media
educators can send in their comments.

(Kirjastolehti 5/2007;
http://www.mediakasvatus.fi/node/303)

Scandinavian Shortcuts are selected by
Päivi Jokitalo
Licensing Coordinator
National Electronic Library Services /
FinELib The National Library of Finland