Perspectives on future developments

emerging from the questionnaire data.⁸⁹ An enlarged vision of the aims of the libraries is also part of the recent county legislation proposal for the whole cultural sector.⁹⁰ As expected, also the traditional image of the library as reading place emerged, with a favourable glance at the various interests developed by young people and a possible integration of these in the library sections. The desire, also from the parents’ side, is to have a library with different rooms for different purposes.⁹¹

Anyway, in the end, the most important things the adults’ group wanted to stress were very practical ones: The updating of books, and a more suitable opening time.⁹²

When prompted to prepare a hypothetical discourse before the administrators in order to explain the expectations for the future of the library, three major points emerged from this adults’ group:

1. administrators should listen to the librarians’ requests with regard to human, financial and instrumental resources available;

2. opening hours should be tailored to the actual community needs;

3. rooms should be increased, with a theatre and rooms for specific purposes.⁹³

Finally, one of the parents also suggested the idea of distributing some information sheet for which young adults could give their personal contribution (e.g. book listings, abstracts, etc.). Moreover, also reading games and contests, as well as some specific and – why not – local literary prize would be appreciated, so that young adults can vote for their favourites and feel important. In addition, the ones who are already frequently going to the library could be better involved and become acquainted with different literary genres.⁹⁴

As far as young adults in person are concerned, in an ideal library they would like spaces for children being separated from those for adults. There should be then a sound-proof room, where they can play music or speak loud, and another room for discussions, study groups, services (a mini-bar, etc.). Very important should be the existing garden, where more activities could be organised. The library should become more and more a cultural and museum centre.⁹⁵

The chance to be listened by administrators in order to obtain what they ask, is felt by young adults as a challenge to be exploited without fear of the consequences.⁹⁶

The focus group members suggested to go to the discussion in a big number, asking for help in getting young adults closer to the library institution, which shall not be seen as the “boring palace”, especially by under-18.⁹⁷

Again, as these young citizens underlined, the library shall be seen – in a positive way -as a place where new interests can be cultivated and new things discovered.⁹⁸

5.2.3.2. Young adults, parents and the idea of having an active role in the library From an adult’s point of view, the meeting between peers and know-how exchange are seen as potential enhancing factors in visiting the library, as well as the experiences connected with school activities, such as book presentations to other children as to exchange information between them without an adult intermediary.⁹⁹

A direct involvement in organising the activities of the library towards young adults has been favourably welcomed by parents and educators, but soon after almost rejected, while thinking about the many activities in which parents are normally involved in for their children.¹⁰⁰

Young adults, from their part, declared that they would like to participate as a group in the social activities of the library preferably in a group,¹⁰¹ and provided useful hints on how to enhance their involvement. First of all, they would like to promote either film or book discussions¹⁰² in a positive and sincere atmosphere, where nobody shall predominate over the others and in complete absence of cultural stereotypes.¹⁰³ Comprehensibly, they would prefer doing such experience during summer time, when they have school vacations.¹⁰⁴

A particular way of being involved in the activities of the library was hypothesised by the researcher in favouring visits by peers. Thus, it was asked to participants what they would do in order to accomplish such a task.

The three adolescents interviewed have found very difficult to think how to enhance library frequency among peers. Since they all belong to some group, such a difficult task could perhaps be achieved in contacting each of the group leaders and work on their “energy” to promote interesting events in the library for all adolescents.¹⁰⁵

One thought that a possible strategy to promote the library among young adults could be to appeal to the quiet place, helpful in providing useful information, developing knowledge, satisfying curiosities, and offering more materials than any other place in town.¹⁰⁶ They all agreed on separating the library from a concept of studying or school activities and, at the same time, on highlighting that young adults don’t only need video games to be happy.¹⁰⁷

If interesting activities would be organised, then a direct involvement of the young adults would supposedly be achieved. One of these activities could be creating a sort of

“Literary Room” where young adults could discuss on books, films, and other matters of interest.¹⁰⁸ In particular, TV films or movies discussion would be an easier activity rather than discussions on other topics.¹⁰⁹

Wider considerations have been made by the adults, who imagined different and various possibilities, among which material incentives (gadgets, chunk food, etc.)¹¹⁰, but two more serious hypotheses have been taken into consideration:

a) the co-operation with the schools, and in particular with some teachers who are keen on library visits, because it was felt to be easier for them to accompany the students rather than for the parents to convince the children to follow them into the library, especially when they grow up. The school, it was maintained, has many occasions to go to the library and it is the easiest and most natural way for children to get acquainted with the library;¹¹¹

b) the enhancement of extra-school activities, also targeted to families, so that the library is considered a meeting place and not an extension of school time.¹¹²

Both these suggestions, however, clash with the young adults’ need of free rooms and no strict rules, as has been acknowledged by some experienced librarian.¹¹³

In conclusion, a discussion of the most evident contradictions and challenges follows in the next pages.

5.2.4 Some tricky points: Customer care, interaction towards schools,