Search

The aim of this paper is to define the term alternative library and to identify the structure and activities of alternative libraries based on the Zagreb sample. Alternative libraries are civil sector's libraries. These libraries collect and offer the use of their collections to the general public. Their collections cover a variety of topics and subjects from the field of human rights protection, such as rights of women, homosexuals, right to live in peace and free information-access rights. The results of the research conducted at the end of September and the beginning of October 2005 are presented in this article. Using structured interview method, the research was carried out in five Zagreb alternative libraries. The libraries include: Reading-room and Library of The Centre for Women's Studies; the Library of Ženska Infoteka; Lezbib -- lesbian library of Lesbian Group Kontra; Media Archive [mama] of Multimedia Institute [mi2]; and Peace Library of The Centre for Peace Studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]