About us
The Leipziger Städtische Bibliotheken (LSB) are an important part of the city's cultural and educational landscape and provide centres for communication and information, reading promotion and education. They combine two lines of development in public library operations, connecting not only with the tradition of public libraries and the “Bücherhallen” founded by Walter Hofmann in Leipzig in 1914, but also with the city's scientific library which was endowed in 1677.
Central standards and guidelines have been defined within the overall concept of library development and services. Up to now the city council has resolved different target agreements. These define the central tasks of the Leipziger Städtische Bibliotheken as the procurement, provision and communication of the latest media and information. Accordingly the city's libraries can support the lifelong learning process which enables people to participate effectively in our knowledge-based society, promote reading, and enable members to acquire skills in media use. They provide comprehensive advisory and information services for Leipzig’s residents and visitors as well as for the cultural, educational and social institutions operated by the city or independent organisations, as well as for the groups and initiatives engaged in cultural activities in the city's districts.
Key data
Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
---|---|---|---|
Residents (source: Free State of Saxony, Statistical Department) | 601,668 | 605,407 | 609,869 |
Actual visits | 1,142,463 | 770,819 | 612,304 |
Virtual visits | 4,426,876 | 4,202,338 | 3,063,672 |
Borrowings | 5,065,466 | 3,948,804 | 3,548,448 |
Events and guided tours | 2,161 | 746 | 464 |
Stocks | 773,580 | 777,554 | 795,872 |
Budget for acquisitions in Euro | 1,253,024 | 1,245,484 | 1,243,006 |
Level of cost coverage in percent | 8.6 | 6.2 | 6.5 |
Expenditure per resident in Euro | 17.1 | 17.2 | 17.4 |
Expenditure per visitor in Euro | 9 | 13.4 | 13.6 |
Items per resident | 1.28 | 1.28 | 1.30 |
Borrowings per resident | 8.4 | 6.5 | 5.8 |
Renewal rate in percent | 11.7 | 11.5 | 11.5 |
Acquisition budget per resident in Euro | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Share of acquisition budget of total expenditure in percent | 12.1 | 12 | 11.9 |
Employees | 124.9 | 124.9 | 124.9 |
Verein zur Förderung der Leipziger Städtischen Bibliotheken e. V.
Verein zur Förderung der Leipziger Städtischen Bibliotheken e. V. - this organisation, which supports the Leipziger Städtische Bibliotheken, developed on 6 November 1990 from the "Save the Leipziger Stadtbibliothek” residents’ initiative, which began in 1989 to campaign for the reopening of the City Library, which had been closed in 1984 with no replacement. Annual excursions to literary and cultural centres as well as selected libraries enable the organisation's members to establish and maintain contacts, to exchange ideas and get to know special features of institutions both nearby and further off.
The constitution of the organisation specifies active support from donations for the Leipziger Städtische Bibliotheken, and this is reflected in a number of ways, including their development into a modern metropolitan library, activities for children and young people, and the "Book sponsorship” initiative. Sponsorships for the acquisition of books can be assumed from a value of € 25. In addition funds are made available for the restoration of historic volumes (including the "Andreas Bach Book" and the “Telemann manuscripts"), for new acquisitions, support promotions and equipping special sections for children, young people and specialist subjects. Bank account for donations. Bank account of the association.
The annual membership fee is € 25 for private individuals and € 30 for organisations.