The Municipal Library "Ksaver Šandor Gjalski" in Zabok functions as a hub for cultural and social life, hosting exhibitions, lectures and workshops, as well as programmes aimed at children, young people and the elderly. The library also showcases interesting locals from Zabok, and users visit it for information that is not necessarily related to literature.
Branka Tuđa Kanceljak, a Croatian language teacher and qualified librarian, has headed the institution since 2014. In addition to running the library, she is vice-president of the Croatian Library Association, a professional body that brings together around 1,500 members across Croatia. She also participates in the work of the Programme Committee for the Month of the Croatian Book, an event held from 15 October to 15 November. This year, the Days of Ksaver Šandor Gjalski are scheduled from 15 to 24 October.
The library currently has approximately 600 square metres of space. In 2013, a gallery was set up for displaying paintings and other works of art, initially conceived as a space for the permanent collection of the "Josip Kaltnecker" art section. Since 2014, more than 150 exhibitions have been opened there, featuring professional artists, amateurs and children. Various forms of visual art are represented, from painting and photography to sculpture. According to the director’s estimate, it is a gallery that stands out in the county for the number of exhibitions held and its visitor numbers.
A second gallery has also been opened in the children’s department space, with regular exhibition openings. The library gained additional space in 2022, when the City of Zabok rented a space where the Senior Club was established. Older people can socialise and read there, and the space is also used for other activities. The city’s Committee for the Preservation of Zabok’s Heritage also meets in the same space, working on projects related to local history and cultural heritage in cooperation with the library. The "Josip Kaltnecker" art section also has its studio there.
The children’s department opened in a new space in 2024, with its furnishing made possible by a donation from the company Prostoria, which also designed furniture adapted for children. The "Feeling Feelings" programme has been led by Jelena Ribić Pavelić for five years and is aimed at children with emotional difficulties. It is based on an approach linked to bibliotherapy and working on recognising and understanding emotions. According to the director, feedback after several years of implementing the programme shows progress in integrating children into the school system.
