Iceland – a Library Stroll

Olaf Eigenbrodt, Juni 11 Project sponsoredby:
Iceland – a Library Stroll
ExploringIcelandWith a Different Perspective

The Project
Social construction of library space
Rural exodus as a challenge for counties and towns in Germany
Role of libraries in rural communities
Search for new methods in library sociology
Comparative LIS for the knowledge societies
Olaf Eigenbrodt, Juni 11

Methodology
Strollology developed from situationist performance and anthropological methodology
Henri Lefebvre (1901-1991)
Lucius Burckhardt (1925-2003)
Critique of the selective perception of landscape
Pre-formulated perspectives
Synthesized experience

Strollology
Breaking the logic of the narratives
Observing details and disorders
Social, economic and historical context
Flexible and contingent concept

Why Iceland?
Seems to be homogenous
Small population
Regionalisation
Modern, differentiated library system
Many public libraries in rural areas

Pre-formulated Iceland
Unspoilt wilderness
Birdlife
Raging elements
Elves
Pop music
Financial crisis
You are travelling to Iceland to visit libraries?

A ConciseHistoryofLibraries in Iceland
Medieval literary tradition
Decline under Danish rule – language survived
New interest in Old Norse language
Saving the country – restoring cultural identity
Romantic scholarship – enlightened locals
Support for the library system under Danish rule
Nation building and language politics
Scandinavian and US model

Evolution ofthe Project
Only way to travel inhabited Iceland: Ring-road
Libraries on the way – different types of libraries
Classic study trip vs. strollologic examination
Decision to divide the tour
Unexpected company

Project Layout Phase 1
Idea – research – exposé
Applying for funding: Goethe-Institut Dänemark
Seeking contact to Icelandic libraries
Communicating the idea
Draft itinerary

Public Library
National/Academic/Special Library
Landmark/Museum

Project Layout Phase 2
Concretizing travel plans
Staying flexible
Studying literature on strollology
Icelandic society, culture, and history
Cooperation with Matthias Platz

Photographing Iceland
Matthias Platz: Berlin based artist working with different graphic and photographic techniques
Project about perception and landscape
‚Taking pictures of elves in their habitat‘
Using different films like infrared and expired color material
Chemical, mechanical and digital processing
Idea of working together in Iceland

HowtoStroll
Walking around
Observations according town, economy, landmarks
Location and neighbourhood
Library tour
Conversation with staff members
Walking around once again

cONTEXT

bUILDING

Heart andstomach

Inside - Outside

Fishery

Chess

Strollinglibraries – strollingthecountry

Acknowledgements
Goethe-InstitutDänemark, Copenhagen
Matthias Platz, Berlin
BeateDetlefs, Goethe-Institut Copenhagen
Anna SigríðurEinarsdóttir, Hafnarfjörður
LaufeyEiríksdóttir, Egilsstaðir
ÞórdísT. Þórarinsdóttir, Reykjavík
All Icelandic librarians who supported the project

Thank you very much for your attention!
olaf.eigenbrodt@uni-hamburg.de

Iceland – a Library Stroll

by olafeigenbrodt on Oct 08, 2011

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Iceland – a Library Stroll — Presentation Transcript