How do libraries tend to operate outside of the US? (literature.cafe)

submitted 1 year ago by gabe@literature.cafe to c/libraries@literature.cafe

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I know Canadian libraries operate similarly, but I mean more so like in Europe. Are they as big there as they are here? And do they require fees to join, or are paid via taxes like here as well?

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[-] _MusicJunkie@beehaw.org 4 points 1 year ago

I only know about Vienna, haven't been to a library in another city.

Public libraries are run and owned by a city department. Financed mostly by taxes but there is a 35€ or so yearly fee for adults.

There is one giant "main library" (400.000 books/media according to Wikipedia) which also has facilities for learning, for consuming media and so on. And many (40 or so) smaller branch libraries ranging from basically a room in a public housing building to a small local library. As they are all part of the same network, you can order any book from any library if they don't have it locally.

Another library network is the university libraries, which are run by the national government. Access is free for students of course, everyone else pays a small fee as well. They of course are focussed on scientific media, while the public libraries offer anything from textbooks to entertainment.

this post was submitted on 20 Aug 2023

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