Ijzerian Public Library System

On Ijzeria, public libraries are much grander in scope than we are accustomed to in the realworld. Libraries are not simply where books are stored, but rather they contain multiple facilities all of which are dedicated to learning and in many cases, producing meaningful work as part of both research of new ideas, and development of proven methods.

The various duties and functions of the modern Ijzerian library are based on the Great Library of Ahkshep; the largest library in the history of the world which tragically was the only building spared in a fire which consumed the city in 376AU. Being the sole edifice of the once great city-state of Ahkshep, its people simply continued to build onto the library, until the library itself became the new city.

## Library Facilities

A properly maintained public library will contain;

* An **archive.** Archives are where local journalists collect and assemble their reports and findings on local environmental data, as well as social developments. The archive is also where the library's collection of media is stored. This includes not just paper books, but film reels, digitised information, musical records, scrolls, magical tomes, any form of any media - even if no other facility within the library wants an item, so long as it contains information it will by default belong in the archive. The archive further acts as a storage area for all other parts of the library, and it is the local archivist's main duty to ensure that everything stored in the library is accessible and properly catalogued. Archives are maintained by the **archivist** and their team.
* A **manufactory.** Manufactories are facilities which contain tools for metalworking, carpentry, architecture, and engineering. It provides a publicly available repository of hand tools and heavy machinery which are rented out much as one would with a library book, and it also contains a warehouse which is stocked with raw materials. Manufactories are maintained by the **fabricator** and their team.
* A **synthesion**. Synthesia are special facilities where primary resources such as wood or clay, are able to be processed into raw materials, such as timber or bricks. It is also where materials of any quality or level of intricacy are able to be broken down and re-processed into something else. Synthesia are very important to rural communities who make much greater use of downcycling, upcycling, and recycling on a household level. Synthesia are different from sanitation facilities, in that they only process inorganic material. Unlike the other parts of a library, a synthesion does not have items to rent out, since so many of a synthesion's machines are very heavy-duty. A synthesion is maintained by the quartermaster and their team.
* A **studio**. Studios are open rooms where tools and materials for illustration, sculpture, design, and painting are kept. Artistic works which are produced by the local citizenry kept in the gallery, which is attached to the studio. Studios are maintained by the **gallerist** and their team.
* A **parlour**. Parlours are where games and playthings are stored and utilised. It will contain as many chairs and tables as the fire code will allow, and its walls are lined with board games and toys which can be enjoyed in casual company. Parlours are maintained by the **curator** and their team.
* A **theatre**. Theatres in libraries are often quite smaller than usual, no more than 100 seats. Theatres are integral for screening cinematic film reels, as well as performing dramatic plays and music. Theatres are maintained by the **playwright** and their team.
* A **kitchen**. Kitchens are considered an integral part to Ijzerian libraries, since so many other facilities are already built into them. No matter the size, there will always be some kind of kitchen or food service available at a System-funded library. Library kitchens are entirely free and self-service, although there are classes and meals free to anyone as per a schedule. Kitchens are maintained by the **chef** and their team.

Libraries which are built *after* the **libraries edict of 4444AU** are much more uniform than older libraries. Although libraries built *before* 4444AU will still have all the above-mentioned facilities, they may be smaller or more haphazardly put together than newer libraries, since before this edict, libraries were mostly reserved exclusively for paper books and digital information.

## Administration and Funding

Public libraries are administered by its permanent staff of facilitators, though the library as a whole is overseen by the archivist. Second in command is the quartermaster, whose duties are nearly identical, except rather than organising information, the archivist's duties involve acquiring and maintaining the library's supplies of physical materials.

A library will always start with an archivist, whose job is to then expand the library's staff and collection to the best of their ability.

All modern libraries draw funding from the ministry of information, and regardless of the population density of the community they serve, there is a minimum standard capacity of 2000 guests in each library. Since a community only needs 200 permanent residents to apply for library funding, this sometimes means that a library has a capacity over 10x the total population of the town it is located in. Each library is seen as an important - and indeed *inevitable* - investment in a community's health and wellness, so even if a library is "too big" the ministry of information will build one if only to avoid paying for additional construction and enlargement of the library as the community grows.