Biblioteket Play – using video to strengthen democracy
We use a Play Portal from Mediaflow to add value for our visitors – both our regulars and those who aren’t able to visit the library physically.
In Stockholm, libraries are more than a place for books. They are open spaces for ideas, conversations and stories – hubs where culture and society meet. But when the world paused during the pandemic, much of the library work faded into the background. That was the beginning of something new.
An idea emerged: to give the libraries a digital stage. In 2022, Stockholm Public Library launched Biblioteket Play – a play channel where content is not just published, but shaped, structured, and made accessible to everyone. Whether you’re at the library – or on the other side of the city.
The Challenge
A wealth of content – but no unified platform
The libraries wanted to reach more people but lacked a channel that could deliver both content and data security. For a public service, it soon became clear that openness requires safety – and safety requires a clear sender.
–Facebook and other platforms didn’t meet our needs. We had to comply with security requirements, and that simply wasn’t possible there, says Helena Cot Martinez, Project Manager for Biblioteket Play.
When the work began, one question stood at the centre:
How do you make the library’s work digital – without losing the trust that has been built up over more than a hundred years?
The strength of gathering everything in one place is that it becomes easier for users – and it also creates much higher credibility.
The Solution
A dedicated play channel as a daily work tool
Biblioteket Play became more than a public space – it became a workplace. Within Mediaflow, all material is published, captioned and structured. This created a new workflow, both for the editorial team and their collaborators.
–We use Mediaflow for live streaming, storage, captioning and sign language. Having everything in one place makes the daily operation much easier – it saves time and makes the work clearer, says Kristoffer Sannestam, Video Producer.
What they gained was more than a channel – they gained a process and structure that allow content to evolve and collaborations to grow. Today, they work together with the libraries in Malmö and Örebro. They now co-publish and share material in a smooth workflow on a single platform.
The Result
When video becomes a public resource
Over time, a shift appeared. The viewer numbers showed a clear pattern: when Malmö chose to broadcast the popular programme Författarscenen both via Facebook and Mediaflow, more people chose to watch via the Play Portal than through Meta’s networks. It became strong evidence of why an owned platform makes a real difference.
–It’s easier and safer for the user. With just one click, you’re in, says Helena Cot Martinez.
But the work is not only about reaching more people – it is also about creating participation. The libraries now view video as a resource for co-creation and accessibility. And the next step has already been initiated.
Biblioteket Play – free, accessible and for everyone
Video has become more than a format. It has become part of the library’s mission – to make knowledge available regardless of time, place or circumstances.
Build your own on-demand video channel
Want to give your videos the space and attention they deserve – without competing for the viewer’s focus? With a Play Portal in Mediaflow, you take control of your content – every frame, every story. You publish and share your video content on your own terms.
See Mediaflow in action
Would you like to experience how Mediaflow can simplify your work with media and brand management? In a personalised demo, we’ll show you how everything connects – tailored directly to your organisation.
In the demo, you’ll see how you can:
- Create structure and simplicity in your media flow
- Ensure brand consistency across all materials
- Save time through smart workflows and collaboration
- Share media and content securely, both internally and externally