Kreuzberg Library celebrates diversity: from picture book cinema to crafts!

Kreuzberg Library celebrates diversity: from picture book cinema to crafts!

In Berlin-Kreuzberg, the Friedrich von Raumern district library presented a diverse offering for young and old today. The library contains around 30,000 items of media, including books, magazines, musical instruments and recreational sports equipment such as badminton rackets. Katharina Werner, an employee at the facility, emphasizes that the positive feedback when working with older people is remarkable. The library is particularly committed to seniors and therefore offers special digital consultation hours that particularly address the needs of this age group.

Other activities include picture book cinema, readings and craft workshops. A central element is the Library of Things, which not only represents a collection of objects but also acts as a platform for sustainability. This library is an example of the increasing integration of ecological and social aspects into the work of public libraries, which are increasingly positioning themselves as green libraries to support the sustainability goals of the 2030 Agenda. The Green Library concept has become established in Germany and shows how libraries can reduce their ecological footprint.

Cooperation projects and events

The district library works closely with daycare centers and elementary schools as well as a nursing home in the area. An outstanding event connects the generations in which older people play with children in the library and watch picture book cinema. Also new is the cooperation with the “Grandmas for Future” initiative, which will be presenting its new reading book “Grandma, tell me about the future!” on the nationwide reading day on November 21st. will be presented.

Another important date is Family Sunday on November 7th, which is celebrated in all Berlin libraries and includes a Bauhaus workshop, a book junket and a bunting craft workshop on Dudenstrasse. These initiatives aim to strengthen a sense of community and promote cultural exchange between different generations.

The Library of Things

Another interesting offering is the Library of Things, which was founded in the AWO multi-generational house in Landsberg. It includes a range of rental items such as pasta machines, soldering irons and chocolate fountains. Supported by a volunteer AWO team and other local partners, city architect Annegret Michler emphasizes the importance of the project for sustainable resource consumption. Interested citizens can request additional items to be provided as part of this innovative project on a wish list.

Through such offerings, libraries are increasingly showing that they are much more than just bookstores. They develop into places of exchange, education and social engagement, and thus make an active contribution to the environmental and common good. Examples such as the Library of Things illustrate how the idea of ​​sustainability can be implemented in the community through your conscious use of resources. These positive developments within libraries are promising approaches to overcoming the challenges of today.