Filled with dusty books and filled with ‘hush-hush’ atmosphere, they are relics of the past. But you may be surprised at the fun (and education) you can have in the 21st century at hundreds of Switzerland’s libraries.
In the past, books were the main staple of libraries not only in Switzerland, but elsewhere as well.
But with the advent of the internet, digital readers, and other modern information technologies – with artificial intelligence at the forefront – borrowing books from the local library is no longer as popular as it once was.
That, however, doesn’t mean that libraries are now desolate places where nobody ever goes anymore.
On the contrary, they remain active and viable parts of many communities.
At the end of 2024, for instance, there had been nearly 1,500 public libraries throughout Switzerland.
And official numbers show that they remain quite popular, recording more than 46.3 million admissions and lending out just over 40 million books in 2023– the last year for which official statistics are available.
In all, 1.7 million people use library services on regular basis.
Not just the books
These days, libraries offer a variety of community services.
For instance:
Language lessons
If you need to learn or improve your skills in the language of your region, you may find free (or very inexpensive) ones in your local library.
Courses may be organised when there is enough demand, so find out of this is the case in your community too.
Kid-friendly
Many libraries have also set up areas for children’s activities.
Some of them have to do with reading, while others focus of interactive playing, story telling, as well as arts and crafts.
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Lectures and presentations
It is not just authors who come to libraries to talk and answer questions, about their books.
Book clubs and discussion groups also meet in libraries, as do various other interest groups as well.
Events and Exhibitions
Bigger libraries, such as the Swiss National Library (read more about it below), host events and exhibitions on various topics, most of which are open to the public.
Digital resources
If you just happen to be without internet and need to do research or answer your emails, the library is a good place to do so.
They usually have computers you can use for a small fee and – unless there is a long line of people waiting to do the same – for unlimited time.
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And speaking of digital services…
If you need resources for your research, especially, scientific one, the national library platform Swisscovery gives users access to the full range of scientific resources from 470 libraries in Switzerland.
This project, initiated by the federal polytechnic institute in Zurich (ETH), is operated by Swiss Library Service Platform (SLSP).
Now, if you want a ‘complete’ library experience and just happen to be in Bern, head to the Swiss National Library at Hallwylstrasse 15.
There, you will be able not only to borrow a book, but also watch whatever exhibitons are on at a given time, visit the Prints and Drawings Department as well as Swiss Literary Archives – the latter two by appointment only.
