This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Number of sistership established: 10

Country: Poland

Contact: Aleksandra Zawalska-Hawel. Email: dyrektor@biblioteka.piekary.pl

Description: Piekary Slaskie is a town in the south of Poland, inhabited by almost 53 thousand people, representing a rich, 900-year-old history. Since centuries, the town has been inseparably related to coal extracting and coal mine industry. Economic, widely –understood changes within last decades, have transformed the appearance of Piekary Slaskie deeply; town authorities are considering tourism and culture as new sources of town development. The library in Piekary Slaskie is definitely a facility facing up to the challenges of the 21st century. We are supporting the development of information society, moreover we recognize and fulfill educational and cultural needs of the local people –through these activities we also create a positive look of our library in a town environment. We are an institution of social confidence, having a strong influence on the society. We wish our readers used not only books or magazines but also could take part in a self – development and self - realization process, due to all forms of activity, the library is offering them. There is ArtLab - making jewellery by beading technique. We hold regular activities such as Poetry Evenings, chess club, educational meetings for the youngest kids “Clown and Tale”, discussion panels and meetings with people of culture. Loud reading as well as Art lessons have been a tradition of our place. For those who like stamps, there is a philatelic club, for the film lovers – a movie club. We organize many activities related to new technologies such as robotic workshops, 3D printing, lessons on augmented and virtual reality. We teach young people to programme and that's way we take part in such events as Code Week and Hour of Code. A special service “A book through the phone” is available as well as a spoken book for the blind. We are happy to have The Gallery of the youth, in which we promote the most artistically talented young people. For the mentally disabled, there is an annual poetry contest called ”Look how gifted I am”. We organize literature, poetry and photography contests too. We frequently make outdoor activities – in a summertime, locals are welcome to take part in events such as “The library under the cloudlet”, Family Picnic “Mother, Father and Me”. The library has been a laureate of several all –Poland competitions: “Week with the Internet”, “House with High Class” and “Play the EU”. Good contact and communication with the locals can be kept through the eight library branches located in our town. The overall number of readers registered in Piekary Slaskie is up to 7.000. There are three children’s sections and two reading rooms. The total number of book collections and audiovisuals is 137 000 and still being enriched. The personnel consists of 23 well –qualified librarians. The whole team counts 32 persons.

See all description

Type of library: Metropolitan

Population served: Between 10.000 and 100.000

Current library programs:
  • Activities for children and young adults
  • Activities for seniors
  • Activities in cooperation with other organizations
  • Art promotion
  • European Volunteer Service (EVS)
  • Exhibitions
  • Local culture (local heritage)
  • Music
  • Technology Literacy (Digital Literacy)
Activities you want to do with your sister library:
  • Activities for children and young adults
  • Reading promotion

Languages spoken by staff: Polish, English, French, Germany, Russian

Languages spoken by patrons: English, French, Italian, German, Russian

Preferred countries for cooperation: No preferences

Searching partners for European program: No

Participating in any European Union program: No