Presentation of my strollological project at the Nordic conference on public library research: European public libraries today and in a historical context, Oslo December 9 2010

1. Walking aroundthepubliclibrary in Iceland Strollological examinationofthepubliclibrary in ist social, spatialandhistoricalcontext

2. Agenda Thinking about space Theory: Hannah Arendt and Henry Lefebvre Methodology: Examining space in a new way Practice: Strolling the space of the public library in Iceland Findings Conclusion: Introducing strollology in LIS

3. Thinking about space Physical space and digital revolution The doom and the comeback of library space Space and globalisation Variety of approaches to library space Space is more than a room or a building

4. Questions Theory Methodology How can we get rid of pre-formulated perceptions? Which context has to be considered?

5. Public space – private space Classical dichotomy in the discourse about space Habermas and the media Bourdieu and the habitus Sennet and the city Oldenburg and the third space

6. Societalspace Replacing the public-private dichotomy Multifunctional Activity-oriented (Hannah Arendt) individual freedom and freedom of public appearance Sociation not communitarisation Supporting informational participation

7. Space as a social construct Materialistic concept based on Henri Lefebvre Space is not a figurative construction but a product Illusion of transparency – Illusion of authenticity Not habitus (Bourdieu) but habitat Space is being produced in a triangle

8. Methodology Strollology developed from situationist performance Lucius Burckhardt Critique of the selective perception of landscape Pre-formulated perspectives Synthezised experience

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

10. WhyIceland? Seems to be homogenous Small population but big enough for regionalisation Modern, differentiated library system Interest in public libraries in rural areas

16. Pre-formulatedIceland Unspoilt wilderness Raging elements Elves Pop music Financial crisis You are travelling to Iceland to visit libraries?

17. National/Academic/Special Library Landmark/Museum Public Library

18. How to stroll Walking around Observations according town, economy, landmarks Location and neighbourhood Library tour Conversation with staff members Walking around once again

31. The historical context is efficacious until today

32. Lack of an urban tradition

33. Changes in transportation and buying behaviour

34. Societal space for the community

35. Active partners for the knowledge society

36. Conclusions Opportunity for a critical point of view Challenge to become aware of preconceptions Chance to get a much broader focus New methodological inspiration Further development needed

37. Thanksto: Goethe-Institut Copenhagen Beate Detlefs Matthias Platz Anna Sigríður Einarsdóttir Laufey Eiríksdóttir Þórdís T. Þórarinsdóttir All Icelandic librarians who supported the project

38. Thank you very much for your attention olaf.eigenbrodt@uni-hamburg.de