March 28, 2020 - Croatian libraries may have closed their doors, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop reading. A look at the e-book collections available around Croatia.

Looking for more ways to pass the time at home? Croatian libraries have you covered. While their doors may be closed during the coronavirus crisis in Croatia, you can still explore a variety of book collections from the comfort of your home, thanks to the e-books made available.

Here’s a look a part of the offer in Croatia’s three largest cities -  Zagreb, Split, and Rijeka.

Zagreb

The National and University Library in Zagreb is allowing everyone interested in heritage and collections of other heritage institutions in Croatia to explore exhibitions as part of the Library’s online exhibitions portal. Three of the exhibitions are available in English (Croatian Glagolitic Heritage, Marko Marulić and Faust Vrančić) and one in German (Marko Marulić).

“The exhibitions present valuable digitised heritage using an interactive approach, while their varied dynamic additional content, such as quizzes and jigsaw puzzles, is aimed at bringing that heritage closer to younger generations. Coordinated by the Library’s Croatian Digital Library Development Division, operating as part of the Croatian Institute for Librarianship, several Library’s departments participate in the preparation of the exhibitions. Technical support is provided by the Library’s IT Department, and, as of recently, the Blue Factory IT company, participating as an outside collaborator,” the National and University Library said on its website.

You can also find a list of digital collections, from old Croatian journals to historic newspapers here. Visit the National and University Library website.

Split

The Marko Marulic Split City Library has recently introduced e-books, making it easy for users to read while library departments are closed.

Those interested will have to download the mobile app ZaKi Book, which is available for free download through the Google Play, Apple store and Microsoft store online. Reading is thus available on Android, iOs and Windows 10 devices.

The application is logged in with a membership number and PIN.
Users can borrow the e-book for 21 days, without the possibility to extend. A member has the right to rent two titles at a time, or a maximum of five titles within one calendar month. The e-books can be read on four devices at a time.

If you do not have a PIN, please contact GKMM by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., send your first name, last name and ID number and you will receive it as soon as possible. Visit the Marko Marulic Library website.

Rijeka

While measures are underway to protect and prevent the spread of coronaviruses, the Rijeka City Library is closed until April 14. But thanks to modern technology, library users can also rent books through the ZaKi Book app. There are more than 700 titles available, and there are currently 587 members using the application. The City Library also reports that 1,236 rentals have been made so far: in January 214, in February 446, and in March, for the time being, 576. 

The five most-read e-books so far are: "The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Recognize, Understand, and Use the Gift of High Sensitivity" by Elaine A. Aaron, "A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles, "My Not-So-Perfect Life" by Sophie Kinsela, "Anatomy of Love: A Natural History of Mating, Marriage, and Why We Stray" by Helen Fisher and "20 Steps Forward" by Jorge Bucay. As the director Niko Cvjetkovic pointed out, the Rijeka librarians are active on the web and have prepared a list of recommendations for journalism and fiction, reports Novi List.

Visit the Rijeka City Library website.

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July 4, 2019 - “So many books, so little time,” Frank Zappa once said, and with this new initiative on Bačvice beach by the Split City Library 'Marko Marulić', we would agree. 

Do you finally have the time to dig into a good book this summer? Or are you one of many whose days sunbathing at the beach is not complete without a book in hand? Whether you belong to these categories or not, we think you’ll still be pretty impressed by the latest gesture from the Marko Marulić City Library in Split.

Namely, this Split institution kept the city’s book worms to heart, and on Thursday, mounted free book stations named the “Little Free Library" at two locations on the popular Bačvice beach. They’re not hard to spot, either, and will catch your attention thanks to their flashy red and blue and white striped design. 

The painted cabinet, which resembles an emergency post or call box, is really just an outdoor bookshelf. 

“Enjoy a good book with the sun and the sea! These small libraries are free of charge bookcases for anyone who wants to read. They work on the principle of 'take a book, leave a book', so that anyone can take a book, read it, return it, and add their own book if desired. Without membership fees, without it being overdue, and with working hours every day of the year, day and night,” said the Marko Marulić City Library.

This free library project was supported by the City of Split and Bačvice Beach d.o.o. and aims to encourage the people of Split and their guests to read and exchange books. But you must not forget the golden rule: Take a book, bring a book, treasure the book!

While these free libraries certainly service tourists in Split this summer, we can only hope to spot more red bookcases outside of Split’s busy city beaches and in areas where locals will be pushed to put down their mobile phones and opt to get their heads deep into a good book instead.

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