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!
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
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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…
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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…
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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.
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Strong 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.
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
