When Anna Carin Elf reached her workplace in Gothenburg, she immediately realized that something was not right. She works in a library, and was received by several visitors, like any other day. But this was not another day, the library would be closed for All Saints Day, a celebration sometimes also called All Hallows Day, the Halloween precursor.
Visitors were also surprised, Elf says. “They thought I was a bit empty. But people in the library behaved as usual. Many were sitting reading newspapers, some families were in the children’s section and others were looking for books on the computer.”
Without the staff knowing, a door had been unlocked the night before. Throughout the day, 446 visitors entered the library, without knowing it, was officially closed. The families gathered in the children’s section, the people sailed the shelves and other newspapers of the newspapers, all behaved as they would at any regular day. Some clients even borrowed books using the self -service system. At the end of the day, 246 books had been reviewed, and notably, each one was returned on time.
Some visitors made the library He was technically closed and went home, but others did not.
When people entered and left the library, a librarian (Elf) passed and noticed that people used the library. He realized what was happening, called his manager and a colleague, and then announced that the library was closing. The visitors calmly folded their books and left.
This unplanned event is a testimony of the respect of the community for shared spaces and resources. In an era in which confidence in public institutions often takes over, the citizens of Gothenburg demonstrated that integrity and responsibility remain deeply rooted values. The library staff, when discovering supervision, expressed their gratitude for customer behavior, pointing out that nothing was damaged or stolen. Elf commented on the situation, highlighting the unwavering respect of the community for the library.
The city library published a loving publication, thanking people for their well -being visits. “Thank you for Saturday, dear Gothenburg,” the library Reading publication.
“It felt good that everyone behaved exactly as usual, borrowed books, read the newspaper, etc. For a local editor.
The incident also caused discussions about the evolutionary role of libraries in society. With advances in technology and the growing availability of digital resources, some question the need for the physical spaces of the library. However, this episode underlines the role of the library not only as a book repository but also as a communal paradise, a place where trust, learning and community converge.
In the following days, the library shared a sincere message on social networks, thanking citizens for their respectful use of space during their unwanted opening.
This article was originally published in 2023.
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