Context
The Landesverband Bibliotheken SH e. V. is the central service and funding institution for public libraries in Schleswig-Holstein. It supports local authorities and libraries in maintaining and developing their services and makes a significant contribution to cultural education, the promotion of reading, and social participation. One of its key tasks is to distribute funding from the Fiscal Equalization Act to libraries in the state. These funds are allocated on the basis of a funding model that was developed many years ago and no longer meets the requirements of modern library work. In view of changing task profiles – libraries as places of learning, encounter and cultural revitalisation – and growing administrative complexity, there was a need to fundamentally update the funding model in terms of both content and technology.
Approach
actori supported the State Association of Libraries in Schleswig-Holstein from April 2024 to August 2025 in comprehensively updating its funding model. The starting point was the preparation and restructuring of existing data to ensure its short-term applicability for the upcoming funding cycle. Subsequently, new funding criteria were developed in a workshop-based process and adapted to the current requirements of public libraries. In model calculations, the effect of the updated criteria was tested, evaluated, and jointly readjusted. Finally, the new funding model was finalized, the calculation for the upcoming funding cycle was carried out, and a digital funding calculator was developed. In addition, actori supported the State Association in communicating the changes to member libraries and other stakeholders.
Impact
- The updated funding model takes into account the changing role of libraries: in addition to traditional lending figures, aspects such as quality of stay, educational offerings, and social participation are now receiving greater attention.
- The transparent derivation and calculation of the criteria ensures acceptance and comprehensibility.
- The digital funding calculator also provides libraries with a modern tool that makes it much easier to apply the new model.
- At the same time, transitional solutions ensure a predictable and fair transition to the new funding logic.
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The project has been implemented by Michaela Herrmann, consultant and Franziskus Linsmann, project management.