Day Four at Biblioteka Botkyrka : Libraries as Community Spaces andCOmments for All

We were feeling very much at home in Hallunda, Botkyrka as we settled into day four of the Literacy for All 14 conference.

Today we heard from Kristian Nagel Delicia regarding his research into libraries as hybrid spaces, and Moa Candil, from the easy-to-read newspaper 8 Sidor, who spoke about their project 'Comments for All'

Kristian Nagle Delica is from the Department of Environmental Social and Spatial Change, at Roskilde University in Denmark. His research is in the role of libraries as physical institutions, in the context of the social environment around them. Kristian has written a thesis on libraries as community centres in deprived areas in Denmark. 

There are currently sixteen community libraries in Denmark. The library as a community centered space is considered to be the future model for libraries in Denmark. The concept of the library and the community centre are interchangeable and libraries as a social space can offer meaning and context to the lives of marginalised citizens. 

When I hear the phrase 'library as community space' I think of a library with perhaps a theatre attached, some function rooms, a cafe. The model Krisitian spoke about is different. This kind if library is specifically placed in a disadvantaged areas. He gave one example of a library , Comunity Centre Gellerup, which also had a health house, a counselling service, a job corner, IT help, a shared space for staff development, courses and shared resources. 

Each library is different and is tailored specifically to the community's needs. In practice, it means that there is collaboration between professionals who can 'collectively' help the community. Kristian defined the hybridity of the libaray as community centre as comprising of three elements: developing partnerships, breaking boundaries, and combining resources.

Kristian also spoke about the unique nature of libraries and how this contributes to the success of the libaray as community space model. A library is a free space for all, a non-commercial social space where you can be anonymous if you wish. 

But it is not enough to stay in the libaray and wait for the people to come. The libaray must be strategically placed within the community.  We must also go out into the community to reach people. Krisitan gave two examples of effective libaray projects that were collaborative and inclusive. 

The first was cell-phone classes: young adults were invited to teach older members of the Comunity how to use their cell phones. The classes were one to one and informal. Not only were the older members learning new skills but the classes were an opportunity to bridge gaps and banish the  stigmas attached to the particants. 

The second example kristian called 'street-walkin librarians'. Librarians visit young children in their homes at ages 10 months, 2 and 4 years. They bring books for the children, get to know the parents, speak to them about language and reading, often in their native tongue and raise awareness about the library. 

This libaray model offers some stability to a community with a unique blend of services and professions that has a better chance of meeting the community's needs. 

So should all libraries be community spaces? Kristian referred to the ' Bilbao effect' - the pristigious library, with theatres and galleries attached. He said there is a danger of polarisation between these two models. While this type of libraray should not be viewed negatively it is important that there is balance between the two. 

Moa Candil is a journalist with 8 Sidor, an easy-to-read newspaper published by LL Forlaget publishing house. She gave some history about the newspaper which is celebrating its 30th year of publication. 

Originally the newspaper was published for people with intellectual disabilities so that they could have a voice and participate in society. The readers have ways been very involved in the paper and contribute by witness articles and letters. The articles are also shared online on the 8 Sidor website, where the readers can comment and generate discussion. They began to experience some difficulties with the comments function.

 The users found it difficult to use and were uncomfortable with the public nature of online commenting, so 8 Sidor decided to design their own comments field which was more user-friendly called comments for all  or C4all. 

The comments filed now consists of symbols and text, it can be anonymous. There is an appropriate use guide, which is easy to read, can be viewed in sign language and is also available in audio.

8 Sidor are leaders in their field of news and journalism. They have shown the positive effect  we can have on society when we respond to users needs with constructive solutions.