You cannot say ’Danish culture’ without also saying ’libraries’!
Way back in 1885, we got our first libraries for the public. In Copenhagen, you could visit 6 district libraries and 2 reading rooms. And state support for the libraries grew at the end of the 1800’s. 10,000 kroner for libraries was put on the state budget for 1890 – 91. that was a lot of money in those days!
Since then, it has only got better and better.
In Denmark, we have 245 ’folkebiblioteker’ – public libraries. These are libraries that regular people like you and I can walk into and borrow books. For free. Unless, that is, you don’t hand them back on time. Then you’ll get a fine!
Libraries are financed by the state. The Ministry of Culture is in charge of the libraries. And DBC (Dansk Biblioteks Central) is in charge of daily operations. In addition to the regular libraries, we also have 6 ‘Centralbiblioteker’ (central libraries). It is their job to support the regular public libraries. They also provide support to our 350 ’Forskningsbiblioteker’ (research libraries) that are frequently used by researchers and students.
Libraries are often connected to other public services such as ‘Kulturhuse’ (cultural centres) or ’Borgerservice’ – the ’citizen service’ that takes care of a number of tasks related to needs you might have as a resident in Denmark. For example, they issue passports and driving licenses.
Public libraries are for adults and children alike, and they don’t stop at lending out books. They also offer open activities that you can join. Their aim is to contribute to education, culture and community in Danish societies. Libraries are constantly developing exciting new activities to keep up with the times. For example, they might offer a workshop with Halloween craft or a Harry Potter competition.
The most classic examples of activities will often be:
- Exhibitions
- Sales of old books
- Morning singing
- Book readings
- Author evenings
- Writing workshops
Digitally, the libraries also have a string of exciting offers. You can borrow the books digitally as e-books and read them directly on your phone. That way, you don’t have to go down and pick up a physical copy if, say, you want to snuggle up with new and exciting literature on a day with heavy rain.
Or you can borrow and stream films via the libraries’ own digital film portal, Filmstriben. Here, you can choose between films such as Helen Mirren playing Queen Elizabeth in ’The Queen’. Or you can watch French director Jean-Jacques Annaud’s film ’The Bear’. You can also experience fascinating films about Danish culture. Perhaps try to watch the film about the famous Skagen painters, Marie and Peder Severin Krøyer, who are behind some of the most famous Danish artworks on canvas. The film is called ’Marie Krøyer’ and it’s about the couple’s life, which was perfect on the surface – but full of problems behind the facade.
The libraries also release podcasts and have developed several apps that you can download to your phone to use their services.
At some libraries, you can borrow books outside of regular opening hours, for example if you don’t get off work until late. All you need to do is scan your library card at the entrance. When you get inside, you can borrow or return books in a self-service machine. It’s no wonder that Denmark’s public libraries are popular. In Copenhagen alone, the libraries get 4 million visitors a year!
And libraries are for all. Reading and learning know no boundaries. That’s why there are also patients’ libraries in some hospitals. And there are libraries in some prisons.
If you choose to live in Denmark and would like to ’put down roots’ or become a part of Danish culture, then the library is a good place to start.
