European Report Strengthening Europe through Public Libraries Published
The Publications Office of the European Union has published the report Strengthening Europe through Public Libraries, prepared as part of the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) under the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023–2026. The publication demonstrates how public libraries strengthen societal resilience and democracy and respond to the key challenges facing contemporary Europe.
The report was developed by a group of 36 experts from 25 EU Member States and partner countries. It includes recommendations for policymakers and the library community, as well as examples of good practices illustrating how libraries help address issues related to, among other areas, the digital transformation, education, social inclusion, countering disinformation, skills development and civic engagement.
The publication emphasises that modern public libraries are not only places that provide access to knowledge and culture, but also serve as local centres supporting community development, social integration and trust in information and public institutions. It also identifies directions for the development of European library policy and encourages fuller use of the potential of libraries in achieving the European Union’s social and cultural objectives.
Poland was represented in the group’s work by Julia Konopka-Żołnierczuk, Deputy Director of the National Library of Poland, and Renata Karpińska from the Department of State Patronage at the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
The report is available free of charge on the website of the Publications Office of the European Union.