Land. Creates. Democracy - Diversity and Dialogue in Rural Libraries

Abstract

As part of the “Land.schafft.Demokratie” project, the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) and the German Library Association (dbv) have been cooperating since 2023 to train librarians in rural areas across Germany that aim to work as partners to strengthen democracy, dialogue, and diversity in their regions. During the first project cycle, ten pilot libraries worked with the bpb to develop tailored programs to promote democracy in their regions. These include readings with authors, discussion panels with various local stakeholders, workshops for library staff, and support for the libraries in building networks. Meanwhile, the project is in ist fourth cycle. The aim is still to promote and empower libraries in towns with populations of up to 50,000 as hubs for democratic engagement, and for small libraries to host innovative events for all age groups, and for library staff to receive training to strengthen their “democracy muscle.” Through online workshops and face-to-face meetings, library staff have the opportunity to further their professional development in various areas related to library work that strengthens democracy—whether it involves addressing common bar-room rhetoric or conspiracy theories, or leading events at your library.