Poslanstvo visokošolske knjižnice in koncept tretjega prostora
The mission of university libraries and the concept of the third place

Summary/Abstract: The mission of university libraries in line with the concept of the third place represents a pertinent theme regarding the field of the disciplines of library studies and information technology, as well as a wider social reflection on the past and future responsibilities of higher education. The concept of the third place arose from the paradigmatic shift from books to people, which in the last two or three decades has established itself mostly as the principle guiding the planning of library buildings and of widening the scope of library services in the most developed countries in the world. The main message of this article draws attention to the rationality of turning university libraries into internally diverse and at the same time comprehensive information organisations, where the traditional library services (e.g. lending printed material) are supplemented by new technological solutions, architecturally-spatial improvements and social-relaxation content. In this way a university library becomes a modern study centre and the creative heart of the individual higher education organisation, creating in its users the feeling of being accepted and belonging to the university community. This can indirectly also be connected with the historical mission of (university) libraries in the western world, since for centuries, until the 19th century, libraries mostly carried out the function of a gathering place of scholars and the exchange of ideas.

• Details
• Contents