iceland – a library stroll
DESCRIPTION
Presentation about a strollological project around libraries in Iceland. Presented to the Western European Studies Group of ACRL during ALA's 2011 annual conference in New Orleans, LA.TRANSCRIPT
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023 Project sponsored by:
Iceland – a Library Stroll
Exploring Iceland With 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, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
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
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Strollology
• Breaking the logic of the narratives• Observing details and disorders• Social, economic and historical context• Flexible and contingent concept
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Why Iceland?
• Seems to be homogenous• Small population• Regionalisation• Modern, differentiated library system• Many public libraries in rural areas
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Pre-formulated Iceland
• Unspoilt wilderness• Birdlife• Raging elements• Elves • Pop music• Financial crisis• You are travelling to Iceland to visit libraries?
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
A Concise History of Libraries 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
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Evolution of the 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
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Project Layout Phase 1
• Idea – research – exposé• Applying for funding: Goethe-Institut Dänemark• Seeking contact to Icelandic libraries• Communicating the idea• Draft itinerary
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
National/Academic/Special Library
Landmark/MuseumPublic Library
Project Layout Phase 2
• Concretizing travel plans• Staying flexible• Studying literature on strollology• Icelandic society, culture, and history• Cooperation with Matthias Platz
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
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
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
How to Stroll
• Walking around• Observations according town, economy,
landmarks• Location and neighbourhood• Library tour• Conversation with staff members• Walking around once again
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
CONTEXT
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
BUILDING
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
HEART AND STOMACH
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
INSIDE - OUTSIDE
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
FISHERY
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
CHESS
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
STROLLING LIBRARIES – STROLLING THE COUNTRY
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023
Acknowledgements
• Goethe-Institut Dänemark, Copenhagen• Matthias Platz, Berlin• Beate Detlefs, Goethe-Institut Copenhagen• Anna Sigríður Einarsdóttir, Hafnarfjörður• Laufey Eiríksdóttir, Egilsstaðir• Þórdís T. Þórarinsdóttir, Reykjavík• All Icelandic librarians who supported the project
Olaf Eigenbrodt, 12. April 2023