Public Library “Fran Galovic” Koprivnica is well known for its programs created for vulnerable social groups such as blind and visually impaired, elderly, unemployed, and programs for Roma people which have been awarded international prizes.

Since 2008, our library cooperates with the Association for People with Intellectual Disabilities “Latica”. The Association brings together children and adults with intellectual disabilities, their parents, legal guardians, and health and educational professionals in order to improve their life quality and provide mutual assistance to members of the Association in Koprivnica and Koprivnica-Krizevci County. The cooperation between the Library and the Association is continuous since 2018 and represents one of the forms of socialization and inclusion of members of the Club “Latica” in the social environment.

Members of the Club “Latica” are adults with various intellectual disabilities who, in addition to participating in numerous activities in the Associations, once a month participate in one of the planned activities in our Library. The programs are designed, planned, and implemented by librarians in cooperation with the leaders of activities in the Association. The most common activities are workshops where members of the Association have the opportunity to express their creativity using different creative techniques. Since April 2020 members of the Association cannot come to the Library due to epidemiological measures, so bearing that in mind,  we have been conducting online workshops and activities. We had our last activity in October. On that occasion, we marked the Croatian Book Month dedicated to the planet Earth, read a nice picture book about recycling, and made interesting bookmarks.

Systematic and guided work seeks to provide members of the Association access to cultural content and increase their self-confidence, ability for teamwork, and respect for the work of others. First of all, it was important for us to show that a library is a place where they can find various contents that can enrich their lives, and a friendly place where they are always accepted and welcomed. The results of this approach can be seen and felt as members of the Association gladly come to the Library, gladly participate in activities and each time they are more and more relaxed, which significantly affects their ability to learn and accept new knowledge and experience.

Maja Krulić Gačan

Public Library “Fran Galovic“ Koprivnica

maja@knjiznica-koprivnica.hr