Schwerin's city library becomes an open library - new hotspot in 2026!

Schwerin's city library becomes an open library - new hotspot in 2026!

The city library in Schwerin is planning an exciting upgrade: from 2026 it will become the first open library in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Preparations are in full swing and the opening is targeted for February or March 2026. This not only revolutionizes the traditional library concept, but also significantly expands the accessibility and use of the offerings. You can find out via Nordkurier that the library will in future be open until 9 p.m. on weekdays and until 5 p.m. on Saturdays, which will make use considerably more flexible.

The idea behind the Open Library is to establish the library as a “third place” for social encounters and lifelong learning. With the new self-checkout technology, which will be implemented from the end of the year, users can borrow and return their media independently - around the clock. This is made possible by RFID-supported technology, which has been providing a breath of fresh air since 2022. [Schwerin.de](https://www. Schwerin.de/news/stadtbibliothek-auf-dem-weg-zur-open-library/) also emphasizes that these innovations will make visiting even more attractive.

A place for everyone

It is already clear that the city library is doing well: in 2024, 192,788 visitors were counted - that corresponds to an increase of 8.4% compared to the previous year. The loan figures also speak for themselves: over 427,500 media were borrowed, which corresponds to an increase of 7.4%. A diverse range of events also contributes to this, which last year included more than 600 events, including readings and workshops for children and young people. Head of Cultural Affairs Silvio Horn is pleased with this development and emphasizes the population's high need for library-related offerings.

With the switch to the Open Library, the library will also become a spatial meeting place for urban society, which will be improved by new acoustic furniture and a sound-absorbing “reading house” in the children's library. These measures are part of a comprehensive concept that not only promotes library use but also creates a sense of community. This ensures that the city library firmly establishes itself as a place of participation and exchange, which is supported by the strategies of the library portal.

A look into the future

At the core of the Open Library concept is the idea of ​​designing libraries in the future as places for collaboration and social interaction. In addition to self-registration, the initiative also provides for a clear strategy for networking with various actors. For example, annual markets of opportunities and monthly “success stories” should be communicated via collaborations on social media. These measures will not only increase the library's visibility, but also clearly define the expectations of cooperation partners.

With its move into the open library world, the Schwerin Library shows that it is pursuing a modern concept that promotes both educational orientation and social exchange. All of this will be reflected in the organization of library work in the future. All that remains for us to do is watch with excitement to see how library life in Schwerin will develop!