Culture is doing fine here

The idea of modernizing the building, which was created in the early 70s. has a long history. However, our efforts took a real shape only after the commune took over the building from its previous owner, the University of Silesia. After concluding a rent agreement with the local authorities to run the entire building, we could turn our dreams of a modern library into reality.

Apart from thermomodernization, which was financed from EU funds, the building's interiors were completely rebuilt from the city budget. In addition to the traditional library, a reading room and a storage area, modern multimedia agencies have been created, a regional collections sections, an education room, and a colorful world of science and fantasy for children. We also have an orangery located under the skylight, a multifunctional auditorium with an art gallery, and a café with a garden, where we will arrange a summer cinema. We owe this huge success to the designers' architectural vision. The first signs of modernity are visible already outside the building. The building's body is given a unique originality by the illuminated façade at night, combined with the multicolored plates of the square, which refer to the colorful backs of books. From the screens of the virtual book, passers-by draw information about the current cultural offer and new library services, and from the directional loudspeakers “blended” into the square you can hear fragments of audiobooks. No other Polish library has such attractions!

The investment, which was carried out on a grand scale, opened us up to technological challenges and allowed for cooperation with many institutions and environments in Poland and abroad. The readers have not only gained a great variety of multimedia collections, but above all, an extremely friendly and popular space for meetings - both with culture, its creators and with one another.

The building of Zagłębie Mediateka, currently the cultural landmark of Sosnowiec, every day contributes to changing the image of Silesian and other Polish libraries, which now are perceived as modern and functional cultural institutions, which is confirmed by national and regional awards. I am extremely proud and happy to be, together with my team, the part of this fascinating process of change.

I was first in the Sosnowiec Mediateka in October 1979 as a student who had to travel to the university building (located at that time on Bieruta Street) for obligatory lectures on political economics of socialism. Two years later, in November 1981, the same building housed the headquarters of our student strike just before the imposition of martial law. Over the years when I became a writer, I visited the place several times. In the auditorium, where thirty years earlier I had sat as a frightened student, I now took part in literary meetings as a guest of honor. Unlike lectures on socialist economics, the meetings were not obligatory, but the auditorium was filled to the last seat. This shows how important culture is for the residents of the city. I also need to stress the richness of library's resources. Sometimes you can borrow books that are not even available in the Silesian Library in Katowice. Apart from everything else, it's a very pleasant place where you can have a cup of coffee and relax.

The changes in Mediateka include both the aesthetics and functionality of the whole space. I have known this place for forty years, from the time when it was quite an old-fashioned library and reading room serving Polish language students, so I evaluate these changes not from the perspective of several years, but several decades. Now, when I drive down Kościelna Street, I see not only a beautiful shape of the building, but also young people skating and riding scooters. Someone could ask what does that have to do with culture? Well, it has. In cities like London authorities figured out long time ago that if young people spend their free time skating in car parks, the cultural spaces will remain empty. One example could be South Bank in London, one of Europe's major cultural centers. I am aware of the scale difference, but the concept is similar.

Changes in access to information are progressing at great speed. No one knows what libraries will look like in a dozen years. One thing is for sure - in its traditional form, they will not survive. They cannot be just places for mandatory book collection, but also offer space for people to gather freely together. And the space needs to be arranged in such a way that people can sit down, exchange views, discuss a film or an exhibition, meet an interesting person or have coffee with friends. The library must attract, not deter. Mediateka perfectly fits into this mission.