A library is much more than just a collection of books

What role does the library play in the community?

– It promotes democracy and helps children, young people and students to make progress in their studies. In addition the library provides a meeting-place for people no matter what their background, says Annika Nilsson, a librarian at the main library in Kristianstad.

All libraries, even the small ones, have the same objective.

At Österäng library Shaaban Abou Zur is librarian.

– We have a lot of new books, and lots of activities. One of the activities is a programme for children, the Aladdin corner (Aladdinhörnan), where I read books and stories for children in Swedish and Arabic. The Aladdin corner is at fixed times, but I read for the children whenever I have time, he says.

Helén Bengtsson is a librarian at Gamlegården.

– We have lots of activities here, for example during the autumn break and when there are festivals here at Gamlegården. We have exhibitions too, and a language café and talks, she says.

Which groups do you want to target?

– We aim at everyone, but we are particularly interested in children and young people, people who are new in Sweden, of different nationalities and from minorities, and older people. Families can come and read books together, and there are easy readers for new arrivals, says Annika Nilsson.

How do you borrow books?

– To borrow books you must register and get a library ticket. It doesn’t cost anything. Asylum-seekers can also borrow. And you can use our homepage to borrow. You order a book there, and when it comes to the library we send you an sms, and then you can come in and pick it up, says Annika Nilsson.

All the libraries use the same system for borrowing.

Shaaban Abou Zur says that parents and teachers have an important part to play.

– It makes a big difference if parents and teachers encourage children to come here and read. They have a big influence, he says.

– It’s mostly children who come here to read and to borrow books, says Helén Bengtsson.

– Adults make use of other services, for instance to copy things and to use the computers, she says.

”All libraries welcome suggestions as to which books we should buy in, if we should engage someone to give a talk – or if someone would like to give a talk, ” says Annika Nilsson.