A place of concentration where bright minds bend over thick folios? The libraries in the district of Ebersberg are not like that. Instead of the spirit of dead poets, that of full life blows through them. “It’s not quiet here – it’s usually quite loud,” says Manuela Reinhardt, library manager in Kirchseeon, and laughs, her colleague from Vaterstetten, Patrizia Schukowski, even speaks of “Rambazamba”: children, schoolchildren, seniors – there is between all the books sometimes a lot going on.
The reading temples in the district are not only places of education, but also places of encounter and integration, which can be heard everywhere from A for Anzing to Z for Zorneding. No wonder, then, that the “Library Weeks” have a corresponding motto this year: “Keep in touch – across borders”. This is particularly important in times of crisis, writes the patron of the series of events, District Administrator Robert Niedergesäß. Through stories we learned “to put ourselves in other people’s shoes and learn a lot about other people’s thoughts, feelings, needs and attitudes”. This promotes understanding and empathy towards others.
Libraries are unique places: sheltered spaces where everyone can be
When talking to the district libraries, it quickly becomes clear that the interactions there are very diverse. “Even if some people don’t understand it: We are there for the general public, not just for intellectuals,” says Ursula Schneider, library manager in Grafing. That’s why it’s essential to tailor the range to the interests of the visitors – beyond literary level or personal taste. True to the motto: “The main thing is that it is read.”
And often the focus is not on the reading, but on the atmosphere: Public libraries are indeed unique places, says Schukowski from Vaterstetten, a protected space where everyone can stay. It is warm in the reading rooms, there is talk there, mostly WiFi and magazines or games to pass the time. “You can use all of this without even paying a fee,” says Zhukovsky.
Ursula Schneider from the Grafingen City Library and actor Thomas Peters, who will also be attending the opening event this year.
(Photo: Christian Endt)
It’s about feeling good, everyone emphasizes that. “And the staff is crucial for this,” says Schneider. There are libraries where lending is handled anonymously via a machine, but that is in no way comparable to personal contact. “People all appreciate talking to us, regardless of age or gender,” says Schneider. After Corona, the team heard more often: “You saved me!”
That’s why the range of visitors is so wide: from families who borrow children’s books, to schoolchildren who do their homework in the library, and senior citizens who come to chat, to refugees who use their cell phones to do their correspondence. “Everyone is allowed to be as they are here – as long as they don’t disturb others,” summarizes the library management in Vaterstetten.
The nationality is no longer queried for data protection reasons
And yes, libraries are also places of integration in the narrower sense, says Gertraud Bamberg, head of lending in Poing: “Because it’s all about language, and books convey language.” People from all over the world use the libraries in the district, especially in the larger, particularly colorful communities. Refugees from the Ukraine made up only a fraction, says Stefanie Griesel from Zorneding. One focus is of course Europe, but there is also a large number of visitors from Asia. “There are many parents for whom promoting reading is very important.” However, the information about the origin of the readership is only of a felt nature, not proven: For data protection reasons, the nationality is no longer requested when registering.
Everyone is welcome: Gabi Bingerl and Renate Schlögel from the Poinger community library with picture boards for their “colourful reading evening from 5 to 99 years of age”.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
What is certain, however, is that the libraries reach a very broad base of young readers precisely through their numerous partnerships with primary schools. “And that’s how the parents come to us at some point,” says Griesel. Be it as support, to learn or just to possibly pay a late fee. “But even that is a welcome opportunity to start a conversation,” says Schneider.
But what does public lending actually have to offer in terms of integrative media? Plenty is heard. Material for German as a second or foreign language, for example, reading material in simple language and large print books – both of which are not only interesting for foreigners according to Schneider – heaps of children’s books and fiction in other languages, especially in English. In general, the stock is based on demand. “We bought a lot of media in Arabic as early as 2015 and now in Ukrainian,” reports Bamberg from Poing. And if a library is too small for such a wide range, e-books often make up for it.
Even during the corona pandemic, libraries like here in Zorneding were open as best they could.
(Photo: Christian Endt)
The children’s section is also particularly interesting for language acquisition: “Picture books, for example, speak for themselves,” says Schukowski. Everyone can play Memory or Uno, and audio books are also a good way of becoming familiar with a foreign language in a simple way. The Tiptoi system is also particularly praised: these books, complete with a digital pen, combine the written word with an audio experience. “It’s great when the parents can’t read aloud themselves,” says Susanne Gnann-Pohle from Markt Schwaben.
Not building any barriers, especially towards people who don’t necessarily speak German, is also very important to Manuela Reinhardt. The Kirchseeon library manager comes from Spain herself and therefore knows exactly how difficult it is at the beginning. “I started reading German books in these rooms 30 years ago,” she says. Reinhardt has been working in lending for 20 years now and has made it his mission to help people find their feet. “We take care of everyone,” she says, “we’re a friendly meeting place.”
Like her colleagues, the Kirchseeon library manager Manuela Reinhardt always strives for special campaigns, here for example the “Blind date with a book”.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
But one thing is clear: In order to be able to provide education and encounters, the libraries need staff, space and money. For personal advice as well as for offers such as game afternoons, exhibitions or readings. But although there is of course a lack in one or the other place, the keepers of the books in the district make a lot possible. They give their all to stay in touch.
Library weeks in the district of Ebersberg: Kick-off event with actor Thomas Maria Peters on Thursday, March 2, at 7 p.m. in the community library of Vaterstetten. Admission is free, registration is not required. All other information about the series of events for young and old with author readings, workshops, improv theater and much more is available in the libraries or at the District Education Center website.