ReadingUFO – A Fun Fair of Word Games

The Oder-Spree district spans an area of 2,257 square kilometres, making it one of the largest administrative districts in Germany. In addition to the 18 main and branch libraries, the district also operates a mobile library that currently services 61 locations. This project has used the mobile library to focus on the role that libraries can play as consciously constructed places of communication. The organisers carried out the project in collaboration with the theatre ensemble Grotest Maru and the stage director Heike Scharpff.

Starting in April 2020, the library bus – redesigned as “Reading UFO” – took off to generate more public awareness for its role as a cultural forum, news provider and place of encounter in rural regions. The project launched with a two-day publicity event; in a futuristic-looking setting equipped with worktables and reading capsules, eight performers and librarians invited residents to “reading happenings” and other participative formats. Additional events later took place at preschools, schools and volunteer-run libraries at 17 other towns in the district to enable visitors to experience libraries in a new, hands-on way. Throughout the project, library staff was able to test new educational formats and expand their local networks. The project was documented on film.

Partners: Grotest Maru & Heike Scharpff