Public libraries play an important role in local communities, serving as community hubs and spaces for learning and connecting. However, the digital transformation poses a challenge for the library sector. Biblio is a project co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme with the objective of boosting digital skills and competences for librarians in Europe.
In the first year, the project set out to analyse the needs of the library sector and highlight skills and changes needed to support librarianship, develop innovative services and boost the sector. Based on this needs analysis, two emerging job profiles in the library sector were identified: the Community Engagement and Communication Officer and the Digital Transformation Facilitator. Further, training materials were developed, including a Massive Open Online Course which was open to participants from across Europe as well as a specialised training course for participants from the four participating countries - Bulgaria, Latvia, Italy and Greece. The desired outcomes were two-fold:
- to help librarians and those working in the library sector acquire digital skills and support libraries in their digital transition
- to enable them to develop services and activities tailored to their community’s needs and thereby build a network of local stakeholders
Close collaboration with local libraries was a core element of Biblio. Especially in smaller towns and communities, the trainings were particularly impactful and created positive synergies between various local stakeholders and members of the community.
Development of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) with over 1.200 registered participants from across Europe.
Development and implementation of specialisation course with 80 participants.
Registrations for library memberships increased significantly in all participating countries due to increased engagement with the local community.
Final Policy Event hosted by the MEP Vice President Marc Angel at the European Parliament where the consortium presented Biblio and shared three concrete policy recommendations to boost the library sector.
Claudia Matera, Chief Development Officer and Deputy CEO: claudia.matera@all-digital.org