Oton Župančič Library

Oton Župančič Library performs the tasks of the regional library for central Slovenia. It was established in 1981 with the amalgamation of three libraries: the City Library (established in 1911 as St Jacob Library by the Industry Society of St Jacob district), the Workers Library (established in 1926 by the Workers Chamber) and the Pionirska (Youth) Library (established in 1948). In Autumn 2006 these three original branches were united in a brand new six-storey building (with each floor covering 1,000 square metres) at Kersnikova 2 in central Ljubljana. The library also has three smaller branches in Ljubljana – Poljane, Nove Poljane and Kolodvor (Railway Station) Libraries – and has been operating a mobile library since 1974; in 2007 a new bibliobus was purchased.

Since January 2008 the library houses the salon and study room dedicated to Oton Župančič (1878–1949), an important and renowned Slovene writer and translator. The culture programme is enhanced by an array of events for children and adults.

Services and activities

With approximately 25,400 registered members, the library contains 350,000 items and offers books in eleven languages. Its most important available databases are IUS INFO (all Slovene legal documents online) and IEFL Direct. As Slovenia’s most popular library, it has developed several information services, including the Stripoteka comic book collection and the Mediateka, which comprises materials from the fields of music, film, theatre and dance. It also houses a concert room and a special room for screenings. These premises are intended for those who wish to spend their free time actively, by listening to music, watching films, or attending cultural events, concerts, exhibitions, film projections, workshops, discussions, or browsing online.

The library also administers Pionirska - Centre for Youth Literature and Librarianship and the Centre for Self-Education for adults, which offers a series of introductory IT courses for adults as one of its priority programmes. Visually impaired users can borrow books in large print as well as audio books, while a free book delivery service is available for users unable to visit the library on account of their illness, age, or physical disability.

The chess corner allows beginners as well as masters to hone their skills by making use of the rich collection of chess literature. In addition to providing information on chess events in Slovenia and abroad, the library also features two chess tables and organises chess lessons for beginners.

Other significant services include the "stock exchange" of knowledge and the "stock exchange" of jobs, where information providers help users find information, fill in application forms, write CVs, etc. The library collaborates in the Kamra.si web project and prepares its own digital collection of texts. All library members can use the e-point free of charge, while visitors are required to pay a fee. Throughout the library free wireless internet is available.

External links

Oton Župančič Library website

Oton Župančič Library

Services and activities

See also

External links

Operated by

Financed by