Forms of promoting reading in the context of cultural and social functions Of a library on the example of the Ignacy Krasicki Public Library in Przemyśl

Contemporary public libraries are centers of social life, places of meeting and exchanging thoughts, which contribute to consolidating social bonds. In recent years, the changes in culture and education made librarians face new challenges and the development of information society brought changes to the image of library institutions. Libraries are changing, influenced by the environment and the needs of their users; they eliminate barriers, add alternative forms of cultural and educational activity to their offer, as well as performing communication and entertainment functions. In order to promote readership and develop reading culture they get involved in carrying out social and culture-making tasks. Also the Public Library in Przemyśl is following contemporary changes and development tendencies, contributing to the rich cultural and social history of Przemyśl. It cooperates with the local community, observes the needs of the users, creates information, educational and cultural offer, extending and diversifying it depending on the readers’ needs. The Library in Przemyśl consciously creates its image. It is an open institution which plays an important role in the cultural and social sphere of the town and region.

Keywords: Public Library in Przemyśl, libraries, reading, readership, cultural and social activity

Contemporary public libraries are centers of social life, places of meeting and exchanging thoughts, which contribute to consolidating social bonds. In recent years, the changes in culture and education made librarians face new challenges and the development of information society brought changes to the image of library institutions. Libraries are changing, influenced by the environment and the needs of their users; they eliminate barriers, add alternative forms of cultural and educational activity to their offer, as well as performing communication and entertainment functions. In order to promote readership and develop reading culture they get involved in carrying out social and culture-making tasks. Also the Public Library in Przemyśl is following contemporary changes and development tendencies, contributing to the rich cultural and social history of Przemyśl. It cooperates with the local community, observes the needs of the users, creates information, educational and cultural offer, extending and diversifying it depending on the readers’ needs. The Library in Przemyśl consciously creates its image. It is an open institution which plays an important role in the cultural and social sphere of the town and region.