The specifics of providing services to Romani users in the Czech public libraries and development potential of these services
Abstract
The article is addressing the issue of public libraries working with the Romani minority, introduces the development of Romani literature, the offer of Romani media and the practice of a foreign public library in a district with high percentage of Romani population. According to the last census there are around 13,000 Romani people in the Czech Republic, realistic estimates are even twenty-times higher.
The majority of the Romani population lives in the conditions of social exclusion and the general public have offen a very negative view of the minority. Public libraries as educational and cultural institutions contribute to improve this situation.
There is not a common approach to this target group. The flagship in this field is the Library of Ostrava, which in the course of the project Romaňi Kereka - Romský kruh set up a special branch in the district of Vitkovice.
A lot of other public libraries are also located in areas with high percentage of Romani population, but they do not declare publicly a focus on Romani users. In case there is some information about services for Romani people, usualy it is about programs for children.
Two spanish libraries in Barcelona are presented as an example from overseas.