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Art is all around in library collections. Nevertheless, art is not seen to be a common subject for libraries despite for art libraries. Works of art exhibited in or created out of library collections offer new perspectives including the library system itself. Our article gives an overview of where and how art can find its place in libraries. We share insights gained from three art programs based on digital library collections organized in the context of the project "Open Digital Libraries for Creative Users" at the Austrian National Library. Open content and an organisational culture of openness are pivotal for successful art programs. This article also intends to spark a community of practice (CoP) for cooperation between libraries and artists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ausgehend von (populär-)kulturellen Darstellungen von Bibliotheken wird das Verhältnis von physischen Räumen und Artefakten und Digitalisaten und digitaler Nutzung betrachtet. Eine Möglichkeit der Verknüpfung von Nutzenden mit der Bibliothek ist die genaue digitale Nachahmung der physischen Bibliothekssituation, eine zweite richtet die digitale Nutzung radikal auf maschinelle Nutzung aus und emanzipiert sich vom menschlichen Nutzenden. Based on (popular) cultural representations of libraries, the relationship between physical spaces and artefacts and digitised copies and digital use is considered. One way of linking users to the library is the exact digital imitation of the physical library situation; a second radically aligns digital use with machine use and emancipates itself from the human users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Der Beitrag bezieht die aktuelle schwedische Bibliotheksdebatte auf die europaweit entfachte Diskussion zur Verteidigung und Stärkung der Demokratie. Im Zuge der Kritik an Habermas' Öffentlichkeitskonzept, dessen frühe Version von homogenisierenden Vorstellungen geleitet war, wird nun versucht, demokratische Prozeduren und Repräsentationsweisen ausgehend von divergierenden Überzeugungen (Dissens) und länger anhaltenden Konflikten neu zu fassen. Der demokratiesichernde Auftrag – nicht nur – der schwedischen Bibliotheken zeichnet sich dadurch aus, in Krisen- und Konfliktlagen Informationen und Orientierungswissen bereitzustellen, ein sicherer öffentlicher Raum zu sein und sowohl das Personal als auch die Anwendenden mit Ressourcen auszustatten, die ihnen jederzeit ermöglichen, gesprächsbereit und handlungsfähig zu bleiben. This paper relates the current library debate in Sweden to the ongoing discussion across Europe about defending and strengthening democracy. In the wake of the criticism of Habermas' notion of the 'public sphere', which was guided by homogenising ideas in its early version, this paper now attempts to reconceptualise democratic processes and modes of representation considering divergent views (dissent) and long-term conflicts. Along with other institutions, the Swedish libraries follow the mandate to safeguard democracy by providing information and knowledge for orientation in situations of crisis and conflict, by being safe public spaces and by providing both library personnel and library users with resources that enable them to remain open to discussions and to be capable to always act. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the Dokk1 multifunctional library, which has achieved international recognition as an exemplary city library of the future. The first part of the article is devoted to a description of the spatio-temporal configurations and social interactions inside and outside the imposing building situated at the tip of Århus harbour. In the second part, the spatial-sociological perspective applied in the description is transferred to the measures and objectives aimed at promoting democracy, as these have been formulated in the municipal guidelines and other current documents. As user orientation is considered the most important guiding principle for the library staff, the behaviour of both the library users and the staff is interpreted in this article as representative of everyday democratic negotiation. Finally, it explores the question of how far the social togetherness in the library and local democracy in the municipality Århus kommun could be related to each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why not digitize library membership as well? The digital library card of the Goethe-Institut's makes plastic cards superfluous and at the same time bundles the libraries' digital offerings and services in a single application. Designed as a mobile application for Android and iOS, the digital library card is already in use at more than 50 libraries in the Goethe-Institut's worldwide network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses hypotheses why women librarians are particularly resistant to and critical of new forms of culture and learning that young visitors of libraries find attractive. Based on several enquiries, the author concludes that libraries in France remain a feminine world which tends to be closed to intermixing sexual, ethnic and social barriers. She describes women's reaction to young people - qualified as 'non-readers', 'visitors', or 'tourists' - who prefer libraries with coffee shops, DVD rentals and internet services. Male teenagers legitimately find traditional libraries gloomy, and female librarians are particularly critical about their behaviour and preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From time to time libraries are facing challenges, resulting from budget cuts, downsizing or demanding customer requests. Often it seems difficult to find solutions which will fit in with the everyday routine. The aim of this article is to show how the use of specific management tools (i.e. Lean Management or Service Engineering) can provide some help in the day-to-day work of a library. By introducing selected management tools, it is possible to identify and evaluate strengths and weaknesses. This can lead to the improvement or further development of library services even under difficult conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Posed are the preliminary results of library census in the Russian Federation of 2010 to 2011. Given is the characteristic of the main indicators and problems of such an accounting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the interaction of users with RFID lending- and return machines based on observations from four German libraries. The results indicate that the interaction generally works well. Users demonstrated both calmness and routine in working with the machines. The article suggests four areas in which the interaction could benefit from further design improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we analyse and compare the opening hours of 50 randomly selected university libraries in Austria, Germany, Canada and the USA. Thus we want to answer five concrete questions concerning opening hours, such as ''Is there a correlation between opening hours and size of a library?'' The study reveals for example that larger libraries have extended opening hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In library practice, nowadays user regulations are an essential and indispensable paper, because not only the conditions for use of the library are regulated, but in addition many details of general regulations and (legal) requirements of the library as well as regulations on fees and opening hours are defined. However, libraries consider user regulations usually not from the marketing point and are unconcerned about the effects on customers. In a communication strategy, however, all communication tools must be integrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prohibition and mandatory signs are standard in German libraries. Hardly a library wants to miss out. As part of a student seminar, the effect of these signs was studied, especially color and contrast effects but also and mainly effects on the customers. Are prohibitions and mandatories integrated into the communication strategy? The paper shows that the number of prohibition and mandatory signs in most libraries is very large, the design unprofessional-looking and the statements are often ambiguous. For the purposes of customer management the paper shows some alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The VD 18 feasibility study commissioned by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft has been completed. Drawn up by an expert supported by an advisory committee, it deals with the structural, organisational and financial aspects of this major project. -- Here are some comments from the viewpoint of a specialist and future user. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the university library in Oldenburg a new „learning space" was created at the cost of „traditional" library services. Thanks to a project for the organisational integration of IT services and library, it was possible for the first time to meet changed users' needs with an overall concept. As a result, library and IT services are now jointly available at one location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The library user education „lock in" is an individual seminar for first semesters students of Media Studies. It was first offered in Wintersemester 2003/04. The article presents early, continuous and focussed use of subject related information which is a required qualification of the students. It also deals with the perspectives which are created by the development of information literacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on several evaluations the university library has met the challenge to issue a fundamental process of reorganisation. The changes involve internal workflow as well as a new definition of the library's duties and responsibilities regarding their patrons. The article describes this ongoing process of a library on its way to an one-tier system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on a conference, held in Weimar, Germany, on May 27-28, 2011, which discussed how electronic books have affected and changed study, teaching, and research in universities. Special topics included future technological and economic developments in the electronic book market like the emergence of commercial platforms competing with public and academic libraries, changing relationships between librarians and library users, and the effect of e-books on reading habits.