118 CultureShock! Austria
section in its stores all across the country. Thalia (part of the
Libro group) is a chain of large multimedia stores that also
carry English books. Do not count on native English-speaking
staff in these stores.Borrowing Books
If you prefer to borrow books, you can find English-language
and other non-German language books throughout the country
at the Städtische Büchereien (city public libraries), but be aware
that the staff may not speak English. The public can also borrow
books from the American International School Secondary Library
(Salmannsdorfer Strasse 47, 19th district, tel: (1) 401-3222). It has
an extensive collection of American periodicals.English-language Newspapers
Austria Today, issued weekly, publishes good articles on
politics, business and sports. You can subscribe to the on-line
publication at http://www.austriatoday.at. You can also read
interesting articles at http://www.austrianews.co.uk.German-language Newspapers
Although the newspapers claim to be independent, some
tend to lean in a certain direction. Neue Kronen Zeitung
has the largest circulation. It is published in Vienna, Graz,
Klagenfurt, Linz and Salzburg, and is somewhat populist
and right-wing. The Kurier is published in Vienna and
appeals to the masses. Der Standard is linked with the Social
Democrats and Die Presse is a conservative newspaper tied
to the People’s Party ( ÖVP). Both are read by businesspeople
and the better educated. The Wirtschafts Blatt is a financial
newspaper. Österreich, a new newspaper, is nice, very neatly
done and has a smaller, easier to handle format. As with the
Metro system, you can pay for your newspaper using the
honour system.
Other papers include the regional publications such as
the Niederösterreichische Nachrichten, Oberösterreichische
Nachrichten, Tiroler Nachrichten and Salzburger Nachrichten.