Cultural Policy Minister Wolfram Weimer welcomed the coalition agreement enabling public libraries to open on Sundays and holidays. The measure aims to put libraries on the same footing as other cultural institutions, including theaters, cinemas, museums, and concert halls.
Weimer stated that the move strengthens libraries as living centers for culture and education, noting that their function extends far beyond merely lending books; they serve as open spaces for meeting and dialogue. He added that the potential for more libraries to open on Sundays is a significant benefit for cultural participation, particularly for working individuals and families, making access to knowledge, culture, and community easier and better suited to modern life.
This planned regulatory change implements an agreement established in the coalition contract, accommodating the evolving role of public libraries. Libraries have become vibrant community hubs, which serve as so-called “third places”-situated between home and workplace-making a major contribution to education, culture, and social cohesion.
To ensure the protection of employees, the new arrangement stipulates that libraries, in consultation with local employee representatives, will have the decisive say regarding Sunday and holiday operating hours. This structure is intended to give public libraries across the country greater flexibility to tailor their offerings to the needs of their visitors.
