Unlocking libraries on Saturdays
The Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) set its sights high when it elected to enter the city’s 1999 “Contest for a Child-Friendly Munich.” In an effort to relax regulations that keep public libraries closed on Saturdays — inconvenient opening hours that are even more puzzling than Bavarian laws governing shopping hours — CFUW’s entry involved offering the services of its members to local libraries on Saturdays, thus reducing labor costs. The group came in fourth place, winning DM 5,000 with which to realize their project. “This is just the beginning of raising public awareness of the problem,” says CFUW president, Dr. IULM Gina Buffone-Hartl. “It is ridiculous that libraries aren’t open on weekends when parents have more time to take their kids.” But there is hope. Recently Dr. Werner Schneider, Director of the Gasteig’s library, told CFUW members, “If it were up to us, we would open every Saturday. But funds are lacking.” If that is in fact the only obstacle, Buffone-Hartl is somewhat confident that, if city budgeters direct more money towards city libraries, they will be forced to open on Saturdays. The Stadtbibliotheks of Laim and Nymphenburg have already jumped on the CFUW bandwagon. They will use the contest prize money to host Saturday “open door” bashes on May 6, from 11:00 to 17:00, and on May 20, from 11:00 to 17:00, respectively. There, clowns, music, lectures for parents and a host of activities will be offered. The Canadian scholars will perform readings, in English and French, and hope for more press to boost its very worthy cause. <<< LV