In May, thanks to the support of SDRUK (Association of Libraries of the Czech Republic) and the Erasmus+ program, I embarked on a ten-day "shadowing" trip to libraries in Barcelona. The focus of the internship was adult education and sustainability in libraries. During my stay, I visited ten out of forty branches of the Biblioteques de Barcelona. The library card is free for residents of Catalonia and is also valid in other public Catalan libraries outside Barcelona.

During my ten-day stay, I visited ten different branches of the Biblioteques de Barcelona. Each of them enriched me with its specific features. Each branch has its own specialization, a theme it focuses on, which is reflected in part of its book collection and the events it hosts.

In most of the branches I visited, I had pre-arranged meetings. This gave me the opportunity to gather interesting and detailed information about the branch, including guided tours of the premises and facilities. The libraries are heavily used for studying, working, and reading newspapers. Some branches even have classrooms that, thanks to an agency, remain open until midnight.

The first branch I visited in Barcelona was Biblioteca Nou Barris, which used to specialize in "circus" and has now expanded to include "transgender" topics. The branch is housed in a bright historical building that was a former mental health institute from the late 19th century.

The second visit was to the Biblioteca Sagrada Família–Josep M. Ainaud de Lasarte, which specializes in science. The library works closely with a cultural center, organizes conferences, and focuses on feminism, LGBT issues, and promoting reading literacy. This dynamic branch demonstrated the connection between science and culture. During my visit, a research afternoon focused on optics for children was taking place. There was a table, where visitors were collaboratively working on puzzles, which, once completed, were exchanged for new ones.

Another stop was Biblioteca Esquerra de l’Eixample – Agustí Centelles. The libraries maintain silence, despite being full of young and older people, students studying, and seniors reading newspapers. This sunny, airy branch offers various spaces for work, study, and reading. It shares the building with a community center and shares exhibition spaces, where it hosts photography exhibitions, particularly graduation projects from a nearby photography school. Photography is the branch's specialty. This branch was closed during the siesta. After the library closes at 8:30 PM, an agency ensures access to the study room until midnight.

Biblioteca Vila de Gràcia - Rosa M. Arquimbau is a five-story library, smaller but highly visited, proving that even smaller spaces can be used efficiently. The basement houses a study room and a hall. The staircases are decorated with historical alphabets. Besides Africa, the library's specializations include mountains and mountaineers. It also addresses the issue of loneliness among elderly people living alone. A novelty in lending here is the reissue of LP records. At the time of my visit, there were more male than female librarians.

The Biblioteca Francesca Bonnemaison has a very interesting story, being the first European library for women at the beginning of the 20th century. Named after its founder, its story is highly inspiring. The branch specializes in feminism, fashion, and cooking. The children's section of this branch is a place where "reality ends." An enthusiastic librarian here fosters imagination and a love for reading and play, not just among children. The children's section is like a magical world with mood lighting, music, and even scents. Do you know how adventure smells? Or how grandmother's stories smell? Board games are available not only for borrowing but also for playing directly in the library, where the librarian knows all the rules, and there are plenty of playmates!

Biblioteca Fort Pienc – Ana María Moix was established 21 years ago as part of the "island" project, which includes a nursery, kindergarten, school, senior home, cultural center, library, and market with a supermarket, all in one building. The library specializes in architecture, and the children's section actively works with children with special needs.

One of the most significant visits was to the Biblioteca Gabriel García Márquez, awarded as the best new library in the world in 2023. This modern library provides an environment where everyone can find their own spot for reading, learning, or working. I returned to this branch during the opening hours of the sensory room. The sensory room is a separate space for children and adults with special needs, where they can learn and develop using multiple senses or special programs. The room is intended not only for families but also hosts special programs for schools. The entire branch is also adapted for blind and deaf readers.

Next one was Biblioteca Jaume Fuster, which has also won two architectural awards and is an important part of Barcelona's libraries. Its specialization is travel and foreign languages for self-learners. The library also houses a historical archive.

My main personal goal, given my work at the Polička library, where our Technical Education Center Půda also serves as a small maker space, was the Biblioteca Montserrat Abelló branch. It is located in a renovated building of a former textile, later glass factory, and specializes in "makers culture" and social inclusion. It also houses one of five public fab labs (maker spaces) in Barcelona, focused on supporting special needs – producing aids, for example, for the blind or enhancing one's qualifications in the job market by acquiring "maker" skills. A visit to the fab lab requires an appointment and bringing your own materials.

The last branch visited was Biblioteca Joan Miró, a unique building from 1990. The children's wing and the adult wing are connected by a glass walkway. Its specialization is Joan Miró – his books and books about him. The building uses solar energy and adjusts lighting and HVAC systems to contribute to sustainable operations. Due to the drought affecting Barcelona, the water feature the library stands on, like other city fountains, is dry.

The diversity and specialization of each of these libraries offered me a new perspective not only on librarianship but especially on education in libraries and inspired me with new ideas. Hopefully, some can be implemented in our conditions. I was particularly intrigued by the sensory room and its use. Borrowing and returning books is mostly done independently by readers, and in addition to books, libraries offer space for people to meet, work, learn, or even escape the heat in Barcelona, and older people still come here to read printed newspapers. Some branches provide access to their study rooms until late at night through an agency and adjust their opening hours for exam periods.

Thanks to the Association of Libraries of the Czech Republic and the Erasmus+ program for this unique opportunity! And thanks to the Polička Municipal Library, Honza, and my colleagues for allowing me to be a part of it and do meaningful things!

Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/kwq7dnFjh5bpVxbX7

Autorka textu: Hana Šandová from Municipal Library Polička, Czech Republic