Library and library space
Library and library space

Summary/Abstract: The article addresses the concepts of library and library space and many possible ways of dealing them. The question is how has the meaning of the traditional library as an institution changed due to the virtual world? An overview of the history of the concept ‘library’ is given. Different possibilities are listed how libraries can be studied with the tools of cultural semiotics and the main characteristics of the library as a cultural institution are presented. The library can be seen as a model of culture, or as a part of cultural space and a mirror of culture, or as a metaphor. Stressing the relations between the library space and medium we can also talk about inter- or transmediality. Library space is examined from diff erent points of view, concentrating on the question, how has the virtual library aff ected the library building and what kind of different trends have infl uenced attitudes towards libraries? The concept of the post-digital library is raised, as a next step for libraries that have to be pioneers in information societies. The role of the library as a third place is briefly mentioned and the theory of places and non-places by Marc Augé is used in the context of libraries. In the conclusion, the symbolic value of the library and the meaning of the library as a concept is considered.

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