Book Poland

All good books are similar in one thing: when you finish reading it, it seems to you that all this happened with you, and t will always remain with you.
A week-long story happened to me, which became one of the pages of my life-book. Leaders of Change Foundation in addition to Study Tours To Poland for students organize Study Tours To Poland for professionals. The goal of STP for professionals is to exchange Polish experience in the creation and functioning of state institutions, civil society, a free market economy and European integration.
In this time participants, library professionals, from different parts of Russia could see how the library system in Poland is organized. The participants got acquainted with Poland’s experience in working with local communities, to know more about the work of libraries, their tasks and directions by examples of three Polish cities: Olsztyn, Gdansk, Sopot.
I was part of the group as a volunteer. A chance to witness what the Leaders of Transformations Foundation in cooperation with the BORUSSIA Olsztyn Foundation prepared for the participants. It was a path from Olsztyn to Gdansk.

As always, the organizers of the visit made this week very eventful, rich and filled with new places,interesting people, a lot of information and emotions. Honestly, it’s really intense.
I could not stop looking at the sincere eyes and admiration of our visiting librarians. They photographed everything: a small mushroom under the autumn foliage, facades of buildings, themselves against the background of bookshelves, magazines, library walls. They relentlessly asked questions all speakers, told about their experiences, shared knowledge and advices, examined every little thing in the rooms, reading a books, hiding somewhere in a quiet corner. Whenever I looked at them I was inspired. It was inspired by their dedication to their work, a burning desire to follow up and improve. At this moments, I am overly grateful to the Leaders of Change Foundation. I want to say many thanks to each person who is involved in the program for these happy eyes and inspired minds!

During the visit, we traveled around several libraries: Olsztyn Voivodeship Public Library, Voivodeship Public Library Emilia Sukertowa-Biedrawina, the multimedia “Planet 11”, Multicenter without books, ABeCaddle for the children, libraries in the malls and at the railway station (these are some of the best places for libraries that I met). We wisited “Pottery Village” and the success of social entrepreneurship. At the city hall to talk about social tasks in the field of culture. We had to learn more from the first person about the system of library facilities in the school and the city.
After getting to know the work of libraries, you understand that each of them trying to attract readers and keep them. They do everything possible: come up with new forms of functioning, write projects, make meetings, workshops, readings, open theaters and reading clubs, connect creative people and designers, hold promotions and move to the most beloved places. In the digital world, the life of a library is not simple, but thanks to it, they develop and become more accessible and attractive to a modern, discreet person.

This visit prompted me to think a lot of things, showed me closer one of the areas in which I was only user, again inspired by people and Poland. As always, however, there is room for improvement.
Let’s go to live these days with me.
⦁ Olsztyn Voivodeship Public Library

Andrzej Martsinkevich, director of the Olsztyn Public Library, provides basic information about the library system in Poland. He talks about the legal framework for the functioning of libraries, the characteristics of the institution (including program activities), and the program for the development of libraries. We visit various departments of the library (Muzotek, department for the study of the region, department for working with children). There are books and special equipment for blind people, a department for the restoration of ancient books, and sleeping places for guests.

One short fact. 10 years ago, Bill Gates donated $ 36 million to libraries in Poland. Are you curious about what the library spent this money on? One half went to equipment and machinery. The second — on the development of human resources and employee training. That’s all I wanted to say.
Day 2
⦁ Elementary school №29 named after Jan Lishevsky

Barbara Hodnicka, director of the school, talks about the education system in Poland, the activities of school libraries. In a small school library we get to know an employee. A bright librarian with dreadlocks and sunny smile tells us about what projects they do with their children and what they read.
⦁ “Multicenter” — a library without books

Here we will learn how libraries fit into the cultural landscape of cities. Now technologies are developing at the speed of light, the center has to keep up with updates all the time and try to get in at present to attract children with new opportunities and toys. The center is divided into several zones where each child can do enrichment courses. 1 — drawing on graphic tablets, 2 — writing music in a computer program, playing instruments, 3 — modeling and creating various constructs.
⦁ Library “Planet 11”


Presentation of the Bertlesman Foundation’s “Libraries for Young Customers” project. The library is located in a former nightclub, the older generation remember their nights in this place. Leaders were interested in creating an interesting interior design to attract youth. The theme was space — cosmic, becouse a gallery of contemporary art “Mercury” is there nearby. Lamps, furniture, racks, shelves, colors — everything refers to the space theme. In the reading room hangs a disk ball. You know what I mean :)
⦁ Libraries for the smallest — “ABeCaddle”


The design was created by a Scandinavian designer. His goal was to create a soft, gentle and friendly environment, which he achieved with the rounded shapes, delicate pink and blue flowers, light tulle, which can be fenced for a more chamber place.
⦁ City Hall of Olsztyn

Gabriela Konazhevskaya, Director of the Department of Culture and Preservation of Architectural Monuments, talks about social tasks in the field of culture that are implemented by the city hall, with a special emphasis on cultural institutions (including libraries) and cooperation with public organizations
⦁ Tour of the volunteer and my friend Mikola

An excellent team building, with good questions in pairs and the absence of a load of facts about the history of the city.
Day 3

Here we get acquainted with the president of the Fund, Krzysztof Margol. He suits us with the idea of creating thematic villages and the origins of the “Pottery Village”— a social and economic project.

Success is built on three foundations:
- Identity. Residents from the East, who came from other countries after the Second World War, did not have any roots with their home, traditions, family.
- Uniqueness. Do things that nobody else do.
- Authenticity. The buyer must be sure of the certainty that the thing was made here, not in China.

1998–2000, the first project that was created was “ The disappeared profession”. The task was to recreate forgotten professions such as a blacksmith, stove-maker, potter and other. 60 people were found in the region with whom they signed an agreement to teach young people in the countryside in their profession.
Classes of philosophy, history, ethics, art, nature, English are taught for young children. Volunteers, students, professors from other countries come to teach. Children receive a good quality education, as in the city. The money goes to a scholarship program for young people — 2 million zlotys.

For me, this is an inspiring story about the revived village of Kamionka and social entrepreneurship. For 11 years in this village there is not a single unemployed. There are 7 active private firms here. 215 people work in the pottery settlement: in restaurants, workshops, pottery, museums, gardens. Funds received from working projects go to a scholarship program for youth. The largest festival in Poland in honor of Bulat Okudzhava is also held here.
I compare with my country Belarus. Belarusian villages now — this is a hug and cry. Young people are leaving, the population is aging. There is nothing to do in these places if you do not want to spend your life in the garden and field. But I want to come to these beautiful places and stay there longer than the moment when I want to come back home. I sincerely hope that in the future business will come to our Belarusian villages and that it will begin to develop, the population will become more prosperous and will not stay in poverty.

We walk through the beautiful garden, autumnal and lyrical. We listen to Krishtof, a man who burns with his ideas and love in these places.
“I love freedom. I don’t like working within the framework. I love working when I want, do what I want, where and how I want. It’s freedom.”- Krishtof says.
⦁ Visit to the Mendelssohn House (Borussia Foundation office)

Mendelssohn House is a unique place built in 1913 by a German architect for the Jewish community. Beth Tagar is the only architectural monument left by the Jewish community of Olsztyn. It is also a unique masterpiece of the work of the world famous architect of the twentieth century. The building survived World War II, but at the end of its mismanagement brought it into complete decline. For 15 years, it housed the State Archive. Only in 2007, on the initiative of the Borussia Cultural Foundation, restoration work began on the renovation of the building and returned it to its original form. In 2013, the Borussia Foundation moved to a restored building and opened the Center for Intercultural Dialogue in the Mendelssohn House.

Eva gathers everyone at the presentation and talks about how NGOs participate in public life: the main facts about non-governmental organizations in Poland, the activities of non-governmental organizations in the field of culture and education, as exemplified by the activities of the Association of the Cultural Community “Borussia” and the Foundation “BORUSSIA”.
Day 6
⦁ Dobre Miasto

⦁ Gdansk

We walk along the old morning Gdansk. You know, how beautiful this place is in autumn. I enjoy the combination of industrial with historical and beautiful places. For me, the play of contrasts and their perfect combination is always a unique part of the city. Seagulls shout, they play the violin somewhere, Eva tells interesting historical facts, tourists slowly walk and chat, our librarians look admiringly around and run to the gift shop at the first opportunity.
⦁ Library Manhattan WiMBP in Gdansk

⦁ Institute of Culture in Gdansk

As in other places, we are learning new things. How cultural institutions adapt their offer to the needs of the community, how they formulate their program of activities, how they “seek” their own, what methods are used to analyze environmental needs.

Sopoteka is located on the territory of the railway station. This is one of the most successful places for libraries, as a constant sweat of people.
Roman Wojciechowski talks about how librarians seek readers, how their library works and what they do to attract readers and stay alive.
⦁ Sea. Swans Seagulls

Then you will understand me. I breathe the sea air and enjoy. Without words.
⦁ Museum of Emigration in Gdynia


How are museums changing? How do local museums shape the city? We looked for answers to these questions in the excellent museum of emigration, which is located in the building of the former maritime station. It is incredibly interesting to be in this museum and to follow the traces of the history of emigration on the example of one Polish family. Each room is interactive and each place has its own chips.
⦁ Reflection over Gdansk


At the last dinner, the whole group was a little sad, but at the same time excited. The visit ended and it was time to return home. They will return to work, in which they are now ready to change something. They have an example, there are approaches that can be adopted, and most importantly, there is a great desire to create better conditions and development opportunities.
Each library tries to attract readers, from a child to an adult man, who is the most difficult to lure into libraries. They make projects, come up with new formats of functioning, organize all possible forms of interactive with libraries. And they stay afloat and sail forward!


