Embedded Files
Valmiera City Library is an active contributor to the development of the public library role and cementing the purpose of libraries in the community and city-experience. They have strong partnerships with the European Commision and Europe Direct; Nordplus Programme for adult education and is a member of UNESCO Storytelling Libraries. The area of Valmiera will expand in administrative-territory in July 2021, bringing together the city and seven municipalities into one region, which will bring changes to the purpose and enlarge the number of libraries in the territory.
The Challenge Journey
The Challenge Journey
Who are the community/citizens working on the Europe Challenge?
Our community are active residents of the urban neighborhood; rural residents, who gather around themselves members of the local community and promote cultural education, acquisition of practical skills, exchange of ideas. They are members of the community who have the initiative and desire to work for themselves and the community, but they need support - informative, organizational, contacts etc.
How did you identify and engage your community?
Europe Challenge Valmiera Team invited various community members to various focus groups organized by the Valmiera library, during which we clarified the topic of the challenge, identified the needs of the community and heard several examples of solutions, and also received confirmation from some of them to get involved in this project. We turned to small rural libraries to identify the active people in their community and then contacted them. As well, rural librarians held a survey "Why do I need a library as a public space for me" and collected various stories from locals.
To expand the number of people we reached, in collaboration with professional journalists (which also comes from the local community) we created several videos that were broadcast on television.
What is your overall challenge topic? Which concrete challenges have your communities decided to address and why?
Big Idea: Libraries connecting people from all areas of the Valmiera region to encourage conversations and participation so people can feel equal and understand their value in shaping the local region, the country and Europe. Through conversational activities local libraries play a significant role in reaching diverse communities and uniting them.
“The library in recent years has provoked the development of the culture of discussion in the public . We should learn to listen to the lecturers, we should learn to ask questions again in broad extended sentences, to allow ourselves to oppose and to hold a conversation. It's so interesting. And I think the Valmiera Library is trying to do it a little by seeing the activities carried out by the library” (Ieva Zemīte, Oleru Manor).
Communities identify their strengths (knowledge, experience, skills, etc.) and use them to organize activities for the local community. Each community used its own tools, for example:
Lectures and workshops event "Garden Stories" in Oleri manor. The program: stories about historical gardens, suggestions for creating modern gardens in the urban environment and public involvement in creating a common space and atmosphere. Involvement of volunteers.
“Conversations at the dinner table“ (The table talks). Do you have a tradition in your family to gather at the dinner table and share what has happened, what you have experienced during the day? Why not to use this within communities between neighbors. In this way strengthening neighborly relations and encouraging discussion of what is important for everyone.
Storytelling at Jāņparks neighbourhood. Evening of storytelling, where community members spoke about the local neighbourhood and shared their memories and a sense of belonging.
“Video Stories” 5 Video materials (Themes: Communities and neighborhoods; Families and library; Cultural heritage and storytelling; Professional art for the local community and cultural education. The role of digital resources in libraries; Local identity. External impulse: the book “Glass Strenči”)
Stories of 12 county library visitors on the topic: "Why do I need a library as a public space for me"
The best tool for community involvement is a personal attitude - personal conversation and communication about community plans.
How are your communities driving the challenge and what tools are they using?
Communities identify their strengths (knowledge, experience, skills, etc.) and use them to organize activities for the local community. Each community used its own tools, for example:
● Lectures and workshops event "Garden Stories" in Oleri manor. The program: stories about historical gardens, suggestions for creating modern gardens in the urban environment and public involvement in creating a common space and atmosphere. Involvement of volunteers.
● “Conversations at the dinner table“ (The table talks). Do you have a tradition in your family to gather at the dinner table and share what has happened, what you have experienced during the day? Why not to use this within communities between neighbors. In this way strengthening neighborly relations and encouraging discussion of what is important for everyone.
● Storytelling at Jāņparks neighbourhood. Evening of storytelling, where community members spoke about the local neighbourhood and shared their memories and a sense of belonging.
● “Video Stories”. 5 Video materials (Themes: Communities and neighborhoods; Families and library; Cultural heritage and storytelling; Professional art for the local community and cultural education. The role of digital resources in libraries; Local identity. External impulse: the book “Glass Strenči”)
● Stories of 12 county library visitors on the topic: "Why do I need a library as a public space for me"
The best tool for community involvement is a personal attitude - personal conversation and communication about community plans.
How are your communities reimagining public space?
Reimagination of public space.
The public space is becoming more open to people's initiatives and thus more responsive to their needs. It is no longer a ready, created space where people come to experience something, it is a place to get involved, to participate.
Quote of Valmiera community:
Anna Broka, association “Jāņparks”
“We have decided that this place where we live needs change. The park is a place of change that we have identified as a goal for our community. First, it is a unique environment. On the other hand, if we look at the European vision, there is, of course, a lot of talk about the environment and changes in people's thinking and habits towards more environmentally friendly activities on the part of people.”
Quote of Oleri parish:
Ieva Zemīte, society “Oleri manor”
Europe Challenge is to recognize and preserve the values of Latvia's traditional buildings in the 21st century, to involve society in common trend, rise -knowledge, understanding, value-respecting and gentle approach.
The understanding of cultural heritage in Latvia have developed significantly only over the past 10 years. The understanding of the cultural heritage has developed into an integral part of our living space. This space is not fixed and is subject to continuous change. Therefore, a new approach is needed to ensure the protection of cultural heritage resulting in a wider social engagement, division of responsibilities and new trends.
How do you see the solutions to your local challenge being replicable / adaptable for other people and in other European contexts?
Our solution is stories and conversations - it is important to ask people what they think, how they feel, what is their experience, it is the way they are involved ( by sharing their stories), knowledge are gathered, and by adding practical lessons where everyone can acquire new useful skills, it all has great value for people.
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