The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) attended the 34th EBLIDA Annual Council and Conference in Prague last month, joining library professionals and policy leaders from across Europe to explore how libraries are turning sustainability ambitions into meaningful action.
SLIC Chief Executive Alison Nolan and eResources Programme Officer Dominique Walker took part in the three-day event, which brought together organisations from across the sector to share ideas, experiences and examples of best practice.
As part of the programme, Dominique attended the National Authorities on Public Libraries in Europe (NAPLE) e-book working group, where delegates discussed developments in e-lending services and national approaches to digital library provision.
The group heard presentations from library organisations in Finland, the Netherlands and Flanders, Belgium, focusing on e-lending practices and tender processes. The discussions were particularly relevant as SLIC continues work on ‘Libraries Scotland’ – a national website for Scottish public libraries due to be launched next year.
Scottish public libraries will also take part in a Europe-wide e-lending survey through the working group, helping to build a broader picture of how digital lending services are developing across the sector.
Sustainability Challenges
Meanwhile, Alison joined a four-person panel discussion examining why libraries should engage with sustainability challenges and the role they can play in supporting communities. She shared the latest developments in innovation, collaboration and national infrastructure taking place across the Scottish public library network. The panel also featured representatives from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), the United Nations (UN), and the Statenice Municipal Library in the Czech Republic.
During the conference, Alison and Dominique learnt more about the upcoming Open Method of Co-ordination report, with is due to be published next month and will include data from Scotland. The report will explore the challenges and opportunities facing public libraries across Europe and provide recommendations including funding opportunities, policy proposals and operational suggestions which can be shared and used in all the member states
Alison said: “The EBLIDA conference was a really valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues from across Europe and share ideas around some of the challenges and opportunities facing libraries today.
“It was encouraging to hear how library services in different countries are approaching issues such as sustainability and digital access, and there was a real sense of how much we can learn from one another through collaboration and shared experience.”
Alison and Dominique also attended workshops and presentations on Shared Reading initiatives, the launch of the Green Librarian Handbook and Week17 – the international library week focused on sustainable change and development, which will take place across 11 countries in 2027.
