Art librarianship in Danish public libraries

Abstract

The 1964 Danish Public Libraries Act empowered public libraries to lend materials other than books. Subsequently a number of libraries took advantage of this to initiate loan collections of original works of art, posters, and slides, alongside and as an extension of the provision of art books and journals. In addition, art departments in public libraries began to organise exhibitions of contemporary art. In some cases, including Gladsaxe, Lyngby, and Gentofte in Greater Copenhagen, distinct art libraries were created. Artists whose work is represented in libraries can benefit from payments dispensed through the Public Lending Right scheme. Librarians responsible for art departments in public libraries formed a group within the Danish Librarians’ Union, in the 1970s. The activities of art departments have suffered during the difficult economic climate of the last decade or so, but membership of Kunstfaggruppen is now growing again.