Buddies
Europe has more than 65,000 public libraries, alongside many others in schools, prisons and community centres. They are places where the future of our society is shaped.
BUDDIES empowers frontline library and community workers to create inclusive, relevant and meaningful learning opportunities for citizens — especially those from marginalised groups.
Libraries can act as hyper-local learning hubs, where vulnerable adult learners and people of all ages and backgrounds find knowledge, support and a sense of connection, with one another and with fellow Europeans. They truly are our buddies!
Libraries and Their Communities: A Conversation with Mentor Terri Lewis
- Story
When I first started the job, I thought: “OK, five libraries: whatever I do in one, I'll just do in another.” And that's so not…
More
The Importance of Adaptability: A Conversation With Mentor Jennifer Hosie
- Story
Libraries need somebody who can care, somebody who takes action, somebody who has a vision, and who has the will to make things happen.
More
What Skills Do Librarians Need to Engage with Communities? | Libraries at the Heart of Europe
- Panel/webinar
Click here to watch the panel discussion recorded at Libraries at the Heart of Europe on 5 June 2026.
More
What’s Your Secret Librarian Persona? Take the Quiz and Find Out!
- Promotional
Take the quiz to discover the strengths you already bring to community engagement and find out which role feels most like you.
More
What We Learned From Our Pan-european Librarians Survey: Three Key Takeaways
- Case study
Our partner PL2030 surveyed 222 library staff across 32 countries. They discovered unexpected things, useful to understand where libraries stand and where they are going.
More
Libraries As Places Of Abundance: A Conversation With Mentor Anna Shkreli
- Story
In the library, one can grow new ideas or enter into a silent discussion with unknown entities. That is knowledge, for me.
More
Creativity to Drive Change: Julie’s Bicycle, with Claire Buckley
- Panel/webinar
How can libraries contribute to a greener future? This lab shares practical ideas for reducing waste, reusing resources, recycling, and embedding climate action into everyday…
More
Art and Culture for Climate Awareness, with Iphigenia Taxopoulou
- Panel/webinar
This lab shares practical ways to make libraries more environmentally friendly. We look at the basics of reduce, reuse, and recycle, and how to bring…
More
Bibliogreen, with Nikoletta Stathopoulou
- Panel/webinar
Libraries can play an important role in the green transition. This lab offers practical tools and inspiring examples to help reduce waste, reuse resources, recycle,…
More
41 Community-Led Learning Practices to Inspire You
- Publication
A booklet containing 41 case studies of community-led learning initiatives in public libraries across Europe.
More
Co-Creation Challenge: Let’s Imagine the Library at the Heart of Europe
We want to imagine what the Library at the Heart of Europe looks like. Will you help us? Then participate in the survey!
More
Leadership with Care, with Lida Tsene
- Panel/webinar
The first session, Leadership with Care, explores how to lead teams with clarity and intention, while nurturing both people and projects for long-term impact
More
Making Content Viral, with Ruxandra Gidei
- Panel/webinar
This workshop explores how libraries and community projects can transform their everyday activities into engaging digital stories that resonate online. Participants will discover how to…
More
Don’t Judge an Unsexy Brand by its Cover, with Efthymios Savvakis
- Panel/webinar
Learn how libraries can use social media creatively and strategically to share their message, connect with younger generations, and bring a sense of fun and…
More
Collaborative Design for Libraries, with Alexander Zambrano | Social Masterclass
- Case study
Watch Alexander's presentation about outreach strategies that bring community and public libraries together.
MoreStrong Democracies Start in the Library, with Asmund Bertelsen | Social Masterclass
- Case study
Watch Asmund's presentation about concrete steps libraries can take to help build stronger democracies.
More
The Green Librarian Handbook
- Publication
The EBLIDA/ELAN publication "The Green Librarian Handbook: Symphony in Sustainability Major" is more than just a handbook; it is a call to action and an…
More
Helene Bruhn Schwartzman on Planetary Co-Design in Libraries | Green Masterclass
- Case study
Helene Bruhn Schwartzman, Library Transformer at Aarhus Public Libraries, demonstrates how libraries can embed environmental responsibility into everyday operations and community engagement.
More
Nate Hill on the Magic of Libraries as Open-Air Laboratories | Green Masterclass
- Case study
Nate Hill, Executive Director at Metropolitan New York Library Council, explores how libraries, archives, and communities can nurture culture, growth, sustainability, and well‑being.
More
Skills Audit Survey: Help Us Map the Skills of Europe’s Libraries
- Case study
Take the survey! Are library professionals being equipped with the skills they need to keep up with the evolving role of libraries?
More
Museums as Places of Experimentation, with Hannah Fox
- Panel/webinar
Our first KnowHow Lab, held by our partner Comicdom, brought together librarians and community organisers in a shared online space to connect, learn, and support…
MoreBUDDIES is a project funded by Erasmus+, working with The Europe Challenge to support library and community workers through mentoring, networking, and policy recommendations.
It is coordinated by the European Cultural Foundation, in collaboration with Aarhus Public Libraries, Comicdom Press and Public Libraries 2030, and co-funded by the European Union.
