167

Arte Útil archive nr:

167

Initiator:

Michael Clegg and Martin Guttmann

Location:

Austria, Germany

Category:

pedagogical, economy

Users:

Michael Clegg, Martin Guttmann, citizens of Graz, Hamburg, Mainz, and Firmini

Maintained by:

Michael Clegg and Martin Guttmann

Certification:

implemented

Duration:

1991 - 1993

Michael Clegg and Martin Guttmann
-
The Open Public Library

Description:

Michael Clegg and Martin Guttmann installed The Open Public Library by placing weatherproofed, unlocked bookcases in three neighborhoods of Graz, Austria. Clegg and Guttmann established direct contact with the community through collecting donated books door-to-door. Each bookcase held books from the community in which they were donated. Neighbors could borrow the books for a few days and then return them to the bookcase. Neither registration nor a library card was needed.

Goals:

To provide a reflection of the communities and to stimulate social imagination and collective responsibility.

Beneficial Outcomes:

Access to public, un-administered or restricted shared resources.

Images: