Warendorf – Future-Ready and Liveable

As part of its comprehensive urban development process, the city of Warendorf is building a community centre in which the municipal library will play a central role as a cultural venue, meeting place and forum for the urban community. Along with the theatre and local museum, the library is one of the central cultural institutions of the city of Warendorf (pop. 38,000).

In the lead-up to the project, organisers conducted a strategy-finding process, in which residents voiced two major wishes. For one, they wanted a neutral place of encounter where anyone regardless of origin, age or social class could engage in dialogue with others on shared interests and community issues. Secondly, they expressed the wish for an inspirational place which encourages creative activity and a sustainable lifestyle. As part of the project, the library wants to work with the community to develop spatial-conceptual models which address these needs and enhance the traditional library operations with new functions. The plan is to implement the first models in the second half of the project.

The municipal library hopes to become a place of political participation by organising planning and idea workshops, city conferences and moderated working groups comprised of citizens and political and administrative representatives. The library staff will reflect on its role and self-identity in order to implement new forms of work organisation. In partnership with the municipal library, the district management office for Warendorf’s historic city centre will contribute its expertise in participation processes and will work to support and encourage civic involvement in Warendorf.

Project title: Warendorf – Future-Ready and Liveable. The Municipal Library as Part of the Urban Development Process on the Way to Building a Community Centre

Partner: district management office for Warendorf’s historic city centre