50. évfolyam, 2004. 1. szám

Archívum

The author gives an overview of the library systems of various countries in Europe (England, France, Italy, Germany, Austria) that have been fully established by the end of the 19th century and have shown a vigorous development at that time. He then gives a few examples of countries in which – similarly to Hungary – for one reason or another, certain obstacles were hindering the development of libraries. Thus the concept of the ideal library system in Hungary is outlined with a number of references to foreign practices. He deals with the questions of library development from the point of view of financing and operating. He also presents his vision of the service–oriented library, the quality content and the ideal librarian.

According to Gyalui, the core mission of libraries should be the education of citizens. Libraries should promote the right attitudes that foster conscious and cultivated citizenship. Reading and learning should not be regarded only as a source of personal enrichment: learned citizens are for the benefit of the entire society. Thus the library system should be built upon the support of several players: the state, private societies, foundations and individuals. The state assumes the essential role of operating, supervising and financing the system, but local financial support (in the form of cultural taxes) is also necessary, as it is shown by examples of Western European countries. It is important to educate people in order that they like books and enjoy reading, but the pitfalls of the contemporary publishing industry striving to attract readers with valueless or clearly „harmful” books are to be avoided. A good library should not be too bureaucratic and over–regulated, and the ideal librarian should be highly educated, flexible and helpful to users. The development of these attitudes should be part of the training in librarianship.

Országos Széchényi Könyvtár Észrevételek