iceland – a library stroll

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

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


Strollology

• Breaking the logic of the narratives• Observing details and disorders• Social, economic and historical context• Flexible and contingent concept


Why Iceland?

• Seems to be homogenous• Small population• Regionalisation• Modern, differentiated library system• Many public libraries in rural areas


Pre-formulated Iceland

• Unspoilt wilderness• Birdlife• Raging elements• Elves • Pop music• Financial crisis• You are travelling to Iceland to visit libraries?

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


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


Project Layout Phase 1

• Idea – research – exposé• Applying for funding: Goethe-Institut Dänemark• Seeking contact to Icelandic libraries• Communicating the idea• Draft itinerary


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


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


How to Stroll

• Walking around• Observations according town, economy,

landmarks• Location and neighbourhood• Library tour• Conversation with staff members• Walking around once again


CONTEXT


BUILDING


HEART AND STOMACH


INSIDE - OUTSIDE


FISHERY


CHESS


STROLLING LIBRARIES – STROLLING THE COUNTRY


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


Thank you very much for your attention!

[email protected]


iceland – a library stroll

Education

againolaf eigenbrodt

projectolaf eigenbrodt

icelandolaf eigenbrodt

contextolaf eigenbrodt

buildingolaf eigenbrodt

outsideolaf eigenbrodt

fisheryolaf eigenbrodt

chessolaf eigenbrodt