Sylvia Fiedler, head of the city library, explains the basic idea behind the campaign: "Words, language, books, libraries - these four terms form a logical chain in a sense. Books are rich in language and they contain words that are known or can be discovered. That is why we have taken up an idea that is not new, but quite original: we are looking for "forgotten words" with the help of our readers.

There are many wonderful words in German, explains Sylvia Fiedler, explaining the idea behind the campaign. But language is changing. Just as new terms are added to the vocabulary, others are increasingly being forgotten. Words disappear because nobody uses them any more.

Friemeln or krakeln - is that gibberish or kuddelmuddel? For the city library, these examples are no fuss, because they are certainly not unnecessary words. "There are so many beautiful words, and yet they are forgotten," adds Barbara Henning, deputy director of the city library. "Some have disappeared over time. Often rightly so, but sometimes not, and then it's a shame."

For all these reasons, the city library is collecting "forgotten words" together with its visitors for a week. The plan is for readers to bring along a word they find valuable and beautiful, along with a brief explanation of its meaning. This word is written on prepared cardboard and attached to a washing line in the library.

Those who have taken part in the activity can then choose a gift from a surprise table.

The "forgotten words" can be handed in at the libraries in Lebenstedt or Salzgitter-Bad from October 24 to October 28.

The Day of Libraries was proclaimed in Germany on October 24, 1995 under the patronage of Federal President Richard von Weizsäcker. Since then, libraries throughout Germany have used this day to draw attention to their role as repositories of knowledge, information providers and cultural institutions with special activities and events.