Public libraries in Saxony to become important centers of their communities

Public libraries in Saxony should be important centers of their communities by 2030, especially in rural regions. "They are places of concentrated work, education and further training, leisure activities, exchange and lively discussion," states a "perspective paper" developed by the Ministry of Culture together with practitioners and presented in Dresden. It defines ten fields of action with recommendations to "support the institutions in their necessary further development". The paper is also aimed at cities and municipalities as their sponsors and the state specialist agency for libraries.

Culture Minister Barbara Klepsch (CDU) spoke of "an important source of inspiration". Public libraries are "an incredibly important part of a functioning community", she said. According to the paper, they need a balanced mix of stationary, mobile and digital information and media services in order to provide all generations with information across the board. Local and regional cooperation should help to make optimum use of resources and further develop libraries as a cultural, educational and leisure venue with appropriate services.

Backlog in technical equipment and staffing

The Director General of the Saxon State and University Library Dresden, Katrin Stump, believes that the most urgent issues are a modern, digital media supply, adequate IT equipment, attractive premises and the promotion of reading and media skills. "We want to improve in terms of accessibility, technical equipment and staff resources," said Aline Fiedler, Chairwoman of the Saxony State Association of the German Library Association.

According to the ministry, there are around 390 public libraries in larger cities and many smaller municipalities across the state, with a total of 5.5 million visits per year. In the face of many challenges, it is "about nothing less than strengthening their social function as freely accessible media and information centers and indispensable cultural, educational and leisure venues".