Unlocking Sundays for German Libraries: A Call for Flexibility and Accessibility
The German Association of Cities is advocating for public libraries to have the freedom to open their doors on Sundays, according to Managing Director Helmut Dedy. He believes this move would boost education, culture, and city development without denting the Federal Government's pocket, as amendments to the Working Hours Act would be necessary.
Supporting this push, management teams and higher-ups in leading German libraries have penned an open letter to the Federal Government, contributing to the argument that many educational and cultural institutions, including opera houses, museums, theaters, swimming pools, cinemas, concert halls, and academic libraries, already enjoy Sunday opening rights.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, a court ruling in June validated the right of public libraries to operate on Sundays and public holidays, putting to rest a state ordinance that had previously barred such activities.
The German Library Landscape
While the German National Library in Leipzig and Frankfurt am Main remains closed on Sundays and certain national holidays, a thorough exploration of library advocacy groups, urban development assessments, educational impact studies, community engagement research, legislative initiatives, and cultural activities could shine a light on this topic and its potential benefits.
In essence, the German Association of Cities is advocating for public libraries to enjoy the same freedoms that existing cultural institutions enjoy to promote education, culture, and urban development while extending access to individuals seeking cultural and educational opportunities.
