II - Libraries for democracy and engagement
Libraries are at the heart of a healthy democracy, offering free and equitable access to resources and services that support an informed public, and serving as a safe space for civic engagement. As a place where knowledge and culture meet, the Nobel Prize-winning writer Doris Lessing described libraries as being “the most democratic thing in the world”. Offering access to books, technology and a wide range of services, libraries also enable individuals to stay informed about news, current events and important public issues. Furthermore, by promoting digital literacy, they help citizens safely navigate information landscapes and fend off disinformation. Libraries are champions of intellectual freedom, a democratic ideal they support by ensuring individuals can engage with a wide range of ideas and access diverse points of view. By providing spaces for public discussions and debate and community action, libraries are at the frontlines of civic engagement.
Bastions of democratic ideals and citizen engagement
This chapter features three projects working to further bolster libraries’ position as bastions of democratic ideals and citizen engagement. This includes LIBRI, a project active in France, Italy, Latvia, Poland and Romania that uses the local libraries as places for implementing strategies designed to integrate third-country nationals into local communities. The ECS project partners with libraries to strengthen Europe’s citizen science community, equipping citizens with the skills needed to engage the public and foster fact-based dialogue on complex issues. The LOE for GOOD project uses a groundbreaking approach called bibliotherapy to help libraries nurture conversations, forge communities, contribute to social well-being and ultimately attract new users.