Poznań University Library as the „third place"

Abstract

The present article discusses the culture making, editorial and promotional activity of the University Library in Poznań focusing mainly on the last twenty years. The most important manifestation of the library’s culture making activity are presented and include: Library Week, Festival of Science and Arts, Researchers’ Night, exhibitions, Living Library, Poznań Comics Discussion Academy, Book Discussion Club and many others. The presented editorial and publishing activities include: the annual library’s publication „Biblioteka”, the series: Prace Biblioteki Uniwersyteckiej w Poznaniu, Antiquitates Minutae, Libri Librorum and other publications published outside of the regular series. The article is concluded with an outline of the essential tasks to be fulfilled in order to promote the institution. The indicated activities, carried out virtually since the inception of the library, have recently gone through particularly dramatic and significant changes. Undoubtedly, however, they still constitute the core answer to the social expectations of the local population, library staff and students of the University alike, as well as the library’s permanent users. At the same time, this is a component element of a deliberate strategy undertaken by the institution. In addition, this contributes to underpinning the long-term viability of this largest library in North-West Poland.