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.
1. Olaf Eigenbrodt, Juni 11 Project sponsoredby: Iceland – a Library Stroll ExploringIcelandWith a Different Perspective
2. 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, Juni 11
4. 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, Juni 11
5. Strollology Breaking the logic of the narratives Observing details and disorders Social, economic and historical context Flexible and contingent concept Olaf Eigenbrodt, Juni 11
6. Why Iceland? Seems to be homogenous Small population Regionalisation Modern, differentiated library system Many public libraries in rural areas Olaf Eigenbrodt, Juni 11
7. Pre-formulated Iceland Unspoilt wilderness Birdlife Raging elements Elves Pop music Financial crisis You are travelling to Iceland to visit libraries?
14. A ConciseHistoryofLibraries 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, Juni 11
20. Evolution ofthe 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, Juni 11
22. 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, Juni 11
24. Project Layout Phase 2 Concretizing travel plans Staying flexible Studying literature on strollology Icelandic society, culture, and history Cooperation with Matthias Platz Olaf Eigenbrodt, Juni 11
25. 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, Juni 11
26. HowtoStroll Walking around Observations according town, economy, landmarks Location and neighbourhood Library tour Conversation with staff members Walking around once again Olaf Eigenbrodt, Juni 11
65. Acknowledgements Goethe-InstitutDänemark, Copenhagen Matthias Platz, Berlin BeateDetlefs, Goethe-Institut Copenhagen Anna SigríðurEinarsdóttir, Hafnarfjörður LaufeyEiríksdóttir, Egilsstaðir ÞórdísT. Þórarinsdóttir, Reykjavík All Icelandic librarians who supported the project Olaf Eigenbrodt, Juni 11
66. Thank you very much for your attention! olaf.eigenbrodt@uni-hamburg.de Olaf Eigenbrodt, Juni 11