Policy and Strategy
The development and operation of the Copenhagen Libraries are based on several policies and strategies that have been discussed and adopted by the Culture and Leisure Committee of the Municipality of Copenhagen or by the Danish Parliament. The political frameworks determine the objectives and conditions under which the Copenhagen Libraries operate.
Below are described various reports that outline the policy and strategy for the Copenhagen Libraries. If you are interested in receiving one of the reports, you can order it here.
Municipality of Copenhagen's Culture and Leisure Policy
The culture and leisure policy in brief
At the beginning of 2023, the Culture and Leisure Committee adopted a policy for the area that articulates what will be the special focus during the period from 2023 to 2026. Part of the policy is a plan/strategy for cultural centers and libraries, which is expected to be ready by the end of 2024.
The culture and leisure policy is divided into six themes that describe the committee's ambitions in the culture and leisure sector:
- For the community: Supporting communities through experiences and offers for those who can and will participate.
- For the overlooked: Ensuring that activities and offers reach those who do not seek them out themselves.
- For the talents: Creating opportunities for the city's talents and a platform through which they can inspire others.
- For the city: Culture and city life should be the glue that transforms a collection of buildings into a lively neighborhood.
- For the capital: Copenhagen should nourish the niches, the nerds, and the nation's pride.
- For the organization: The effort requires a modern and digital administration that cooperates with the city's sports and cultural life.
Current Library Strategy
The current library plan outlines the common mission and core services of the Copenhagen Libraries. This includes the libraries’ main purpose. In addition, it reviews the areas that the libraries have chosen to focus on in fulfilling the mission and core services. Each focus area describes specific initiatives. Additionally, several approaches in terms of methods and approaches used to realize the initiatives are depicted. The library plan will be followed until the new plan for Cultural Houses and Libraries is adopted by the Culture and Leisure Committee in 2024.
The plan "LÆS LØS!" describes how the Copenhagen Libraries will achieve the objectives set in "The Library Plan 2019-2023".
Future Free Reading in School PLCs - A Guide to Developing the Physical Free Reading Collection
The Copenhagen Libraries, in collaboration with Holbergskole in Copenhagen, the policy institute Fremtiden Biblioteker, Gribskov Libraries, and Gentofte Libraries, and with funding from the Development Fund for Public Libraries and Educational Learning Centers, have developed the guide "Future Free Reading in School PLCs – A Guide to Developing the Physical Free Reading Collection".
The guide aims to provide inspiration on how the physical collection of free reading materials can be assembled to reflect the students' interests, how large the collection ideally should be, how often it should be renewed, and how it can be promoted so that it appears attractive to the students.
Collection Agendas and minutes from meetings in the Culture and Leisure Committee
Meetings are held in the Culture and Leisure Administration of the Municipality of Copenhagen every other week. However, the Copenhagen Libraries are not always on the agenda.
Updated in February 2024