Towns, despite the low number of readers, do not consider closing libraries; they have other functions as well

Publisher
ČTK
11.01.2025 13:55
Prague – The role of libraries is changing; they are no longer just places for borrowing books, but also host social and educational events. In small communities, they often serve as meeting places and are a vital part of community life. Therefore, local representatives do not consider closing them, despite facing a low number of readers. In many large cities, the number of readers is increasing, with growing interest in e-books and audiobooks, although traditional books still make up the majority of loans. Libraries are also trying to keep pace with modern times, investing in new technologies and modern facilities. This emerges from a poll by ČTK on the anniversary of the opening of the first lending library in Prague 250 years ago.


The Prague City Library (MPK) recorded 170,000 readers last year, an increase of 3,500 year-on-year, bringing the number close to the pre-pandemic state. In 2019, the number of registered readers in MKP was 177,000. During the COVID period, the number of valid library cards plummeted to 150,000. Branches offer readers various activities beyond borrowing books, e-books, and music media. At the DOK 16 branch, a neighborhood workshop has been established, while in the Atelier on Jezerka, participants focus on sewing. Libraries host fans of the Star Wars series, detective Sherlock Holmes, and The Lord of the Rings. All MKP branches are equipped with self-service counters that allow for borrowing and returning books.

Libraries in larger Central Bohemian towns are also seeing an increase in readers, including children. This is due to modern trends such as e-books and e-audiobooks. For example, in the Benesov library, the number of registered readers under 15 years old is rising. According to director Hana Zdvihalová, this is thanks to the TÉčko section for teenagers and creation. Readers have access to an Xbox, virtual reality, and 3D pens. "Over time, most of them will also start borrowing books. The most popular genres are manga, comics, fantasy, and sci-fi," Zdvihalová told ČTK.

The Olomouc City Library has been registering a higher number of readers for the second year in a row, now welcoming over 13,000 visitors, which is more than before the COVID pandemic. According to library director Lenka Prucková, this is also due to long-term work with the youngest readers. "Children under six have free access to the library, and we hold monthly events for toddlers, gradually allowing entire families to come and borrow books," she told ČTK.

The Library of the City of Hradec Králové is also seeing an increase in readers under 15. "Interest in DVDs has been approximately the same for the past three years, while interest in printed music materials is slightly declining. In contrast, interest in e-books is rising; in 2023, we lent 5,635 e-books through the Palmknihy portal, and in 2024, it was already 7,669 e-books. However, traditional books with 430,421 loans last year still remain the most borrowed," KMHK director Barbora Čižinská told ČTK. In recent years, the number of libraries in the Hradec Králové Region has slightly decreased. While there were 383 libraries in the region in 2021, there were 378 two years later. Therefore, libraries in communities are starting to expand their service offerings.

By expanding their offerings, libraries are compensating for the long-term trend of declining readers in libraries in the Liberec region. According to Michaela Staňková, a regional methodologist from the Liberec Regional Library, the fact that libraries continue to exist in most municipalities is a Czech specificity. "This is linked to the establishment, based on the 1919 law on public municipal libraries, of a library in almost every municipality. This historical fact has persisted here," she said. According to her, from time to time, some libraries do close, but it’s not dramatic so far. "The decrease is minimal," she stated. There are various reasons for the termination of activities, such as lack of funding or the municipality's inability to find a librarian. Most libraries are non-professional, with a workload of up to 15 hours a week.

Libraries in small towns in the Moravian-Silesian Region survive thanks to the support of larger libraries and municipalities. Hlinka in the Bruntál area has only 200 inhabitants, and its library collection consists of about the same number of books. However, the local government is trying to keep the library operational, despite the decline in readers. "Our library is fully supported by the District Library in Bruntál, which regularly renews our books," said mayor Marcel Chovančák.

The smallest library in the Ústí nad Labem Region in Kalk has 12 readers. It is supported by the municipal library in Chomutov, and readers can access its catalogs from which they can order volumes. The library in Kalk is located in the municipal office building, and the librarian is an office worker whose main job is accounting. In Raková in the Rokycany district, one of the smallest municipalities in the Plzeň region with 230 residents, a library has been in operation for 60 years. It is a very important part of community life and aims to preserve it at all costs. Just four years ago, the library's main visitors were seniors, but in the last four years, two-thirds of the visitors are now children, as well as youth under 18 from the municipality and surrounding villages.

In general, the highest interest in borrowing books is observed from readers before multi-day breaks, weekends, holidays, or festive days. According to spokesperson for the Karlovy Vary Regional Library Andrea Bocková, some of the most sought-after authors include Robert Bryndza, Alena Mornštajnová, Karin Lednická, Vlastimil Vondruška, and Dick and Felix Francis, as well as Štěpán Javůrek, who hails from the Karlovy Vary region. "Among younger readers, who visit the library most often due to school obligations, the interest is mainly in Harry Potter or the series by John Flanagan, such as The Ranger's Apprentice. From Czech authors, children read books by Ivona Březinová or Zuzana Pospíšilová," Bocková concluded.

For an annual registration fee, an adult pays 250 crowns at the Karlovy Vary Regional Library, while children, students, and seniors pay 100 crowns. The library raised the fees last May from 100 crowns for adults and 80 crowns for others. In the Prague City Library, adults pay 60 crowns annually, while children, seniors over 70, and holders of disability cards have free membership.
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