Lesezeichen Salbke, Public bookcase and stage in Salbke district, Germany
Lesezeichen Salbke is a public bookcase with integrated stage located in the Salbke district of Magdeburg. The structure features steel construction with powder-coated aluminum elements and display cases holding books freely available to visitors, alongside a covered performance area.
The structure was established in 2009 on the site of a former discount store and built on a successful 2005 pilot project that used beer crates as temporary materials. The project demonstrates how an abandoned area was transformed into a new community meeting place.
The space carries the district's name and serves as a meeting point where neighbors gather for theater performances, local concerts, and reading events throughout the year. It functions as a place where the community comes together to share activities and stories.
Visitors can borrow or exchange books without registration at any time, as the system relies on community trust rather than formal procedures. A roof provides shelter, keeping the book collection accessible throughout the year regardless of weather.
Part of the facade comes from a former department store and simultaneously functions as a noise barrier against external sounds. This material unexpectedly links the site's history with its new purpose.
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