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Book Bridge” success story: Meckenheim and Alfter focus on promoting reading!
Franzis Steinhauer reports on the successes of the “Book Bridge” in Meckenheim-Alfter and its importance for promoting reading.
Book Bridge” success story: Meckenheim and Alfter focus on promoting reading!
In the small community of Meckenheim and Alfter, the new inter-communal library – the “Bücherbrücke” – has had a great first year of success. Under the leadership of Franzis Steinhauer, who has taken responsibility for both communities, the Rundschau reports that the library is a success story and attracts between 80 and 100 visitors every day. This positive development is no coincidence. Committee chairman Rainer Friedrich praised Steinhauer's work, which began despite challenging conditions.
When taking over the libraries, Steinhauer came across sobering facts: 50,000 customer data had disappeared and an old selection of media was available, of which 30,000 copies were considered problematic due to their age. Nevertheless, the library has gained new momentum under Steinhauer's leadership. With a continuous offer, which also includes the purchase of 80 Tonie audio figures for children, the “Bücherbrücke” is an attractive destination for all age groups.
A new beginning for Alfter and Meckenheim
On December 18, 2023, the two municipalities met and signed an agreement on inter-municipal cooperation, which will come into force on January 1, 2024. This agreement ensures the continued existence of the library in Alfter and also enables the libraries to be supported together. Mayor Dr. Schumacher emphasized the importance of this step and called for patience, as many steps still lie ahead before the reopening. The Bookends are willing to continue to support the library while the financial resources are reorganized.
The “Bücherbrücke” has established itself not only as a place for reading, but also as part of the education system. Particular attention was paid to children's reading skills, as this is perceived as inadequate in the region. Comprehensive programs that focus on preschool children are intended to remedy this.
Plans for the future
The library is looking forward to planned exhibitions on topics such as the European elections and “Seafarer’s Day”. Another highlight could be the “Book is looking for a sponsor” campaign, where donors have the opportunity to finance a book and receive special rights in return. The additional budget of 25,000 euros was used to purchase new furniture for the library, and the renovation of the children's library was successfully completed with the support of 18 volunteers.
The commitment to the library is also visible in the number of full-time employees: there are currently five employees in three positions and two part-time employees per location. “Book Bridge” operations currently run 17 hours per week, with the goal of expanding to 20 hours. Steinhauer remains optimistic: “The library is a real added value for Meckenheim and Alfter,” she says, and continues to work to improve the offerings for the population.
The inter-municipal cooperation and the fresh ideas offer an exciting perspective for the “Bücherbrücke”. This initial success story could continue to unfold in the future, and residents can hope for a flourishing literary landscape. The “Hochdrei” project The Federal Cultural Foundation also contributes to development by giving new impetus to public libraries and driving their transformation.