February 17th, 2022 - The storytelling workshops are designed to help kids develop their language skills

Staying in Rijeka long-term and looking for activities for your little ones? The American Corner Rijeka at the Trsat branch of Rijeka City Library is hosting a series of storytelling events named Story Garden. The workshops will be held in English and are intended for kids aged 5-6.

The first Story Garden event is scheduled for Wednesday, February 23rd with a 6pm start. Six workshops will be held, each 45 minutes long, taking place each Wednesday at 6 pm until March 30th.

Children aren’t required to have an active knowledge of English to partake in the storytelling events, as the workshops were designed to help kids learn and develop their language skills through an active but relaxed interaction that’s appropriate for their age.

Applications are required to attend the workshops. Parents can send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., message the American Corner Rijeka on Facebook, or apply directly at the library counter in Trsat. 

Participation is free for all members of Rijeka City Library.

American Corner Rijeka, supported by Public Affairs Office at USA Embassy in Zagreb, is a part of the world-wide network of library spaces dedicated to American culture and lifestyle. The American Corner at the Rijeka City Library was devised as a lively library corner hosting a large variety of activities, information resources and tech gadgets for everyone to test. A place to learn and play!

Rijeka City Library - Gradska knjižnica Rijeka

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.

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.