The Hands-On Library in Straubing

The residential area of East Straubing was established in the 1960s. The district library adjacent to the central education facility containing a preschool, primary and middle school and two day-care centres is the only cultural organisation in the area. The library would like to make more of its role and transform itself into an inspirational, cross-generational meeting place which encourages social and digital participation. To make more efficient use of its relatively confined quarters, it aimed to develop a space-saving, multi-purpose design concept. This pilot project can serve as a model for other smaller-sized libraries which are contemplating redesigning their premises.

Together with local residents, the library developed a flexible design concept to address its current lack of space. The plan was to make a few small changes, and so doing, use the existing space for a wide variety of purposes. For example, the children’s book area can be repurposed as a lecture room or a work area in the new media lab. The library also planned to incorporate sustainability, e.g. upcycling and repairing methods, into its new interior design concept for which it collaborateed with the TUM Campus Straubing for Renewable Resources. In cooperation with multipliers in the district such as the Family Support Point and the Education Centre, the project developed participation formats which not only integrate children and adolescents into the design process of the “hands-on” library, but also citizens who haven’t taken part in such programmes before. The library renovation and expansion measures will take place following the conclusion of the project.

Project title: The Hands-On Library in Straubing. Participation and Sustainability in a Municipal Library

Partners: Ulrich Schmidl Education Centre, Straubing municipal Department for Children, Youth and Families