The master thesis presents Slovenian libraries in Argentina. The Slovenian community in Argentina numbers around 30,000 people. They have emigrated in three waves, preserving Slovenian culture and uniting in associations. Most of these associations have libraries, as does the umbrella organization of Slovenians in Argentina, Zedinjena Slovenija, and the Slovene language lectorates in Buenos Aires and Cordoba (eighteen in total). Most of the libraries are in Buenos Aires, but there are also libraries in Mendoza, Bariloche, Rosario, Cordoba and Paraná. The research was carried out in the field using interviews and the analysis method. We interviewed library administrators, library users and other relevant people. Most of the libraries are community and school libraries. The societies and libraries are run on a voluntary basis, and the librarians are mostly volunteers without librarian education. They obtain their materials from Slovenia or through donations and inheritances. Most do not have a catalogue, do not keep records of borrowed books, and opening hours are usually during society events. They rarely or never organize events. Books are borrowed mainly by children, Slovenian school teachers and older members. The only service they offer is borrowing books. Only the library in Bariloche is included in the Cobiss system. The most vital libraries are those of the third-wave emigration associations, most of which were founded in the first decade after the Second World War. They are important for the preservation of Slovenian culture and language, but also have historical, archival and symbolic value for the community.
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