Piro Misha

New challenges, new solutions

The advent of the digital age has disrupted traditional library services. As more information and services have moved online, public libraries were obliged to digitally transform to remain relevant. This paper will try to bring something of the experience of National Library of Albania in trying to find new innovative solutions for the new challenges – in order to remain relevant serving not simply a depository of national memory, but also a bridge for the aspirations for the future.

Jorida Tollkuçi Dhëmbi

Future of our Profession with New Roles – Education and Lifelong Learning: The Case of the „Thimi Mitko” Public Library in Korçë

The „Thimi Mitko” Public Library in Korçë demonstrates how a century-old institution can successfully combine cultural heritage with innovation to meet the demands of lifelong learning in the digital era. Through the preservation and digitization of local memory, the library has evolved into an inclusive space for non-formal education, creativity, and community engagement. This presentation highlights its experience as a model for redefining the librarian’s role and inspiring the future of the profession.

Beneta Dhima

Fostering library identity through community – based reading programs – – Read, connect, promote: reading clubs as library ambassadors –

In an era where libraries must continuously adapt to remain relevant and visible within their communities, fostering a strong and dynamic library identity is essential. This presentation explores the role of community-based reading programs, specifically reading clubs, as powerful tools for promoting library identity and outreach. By encouraging reading, fostering social connection, and empowering participants to act as advocates, these reading clubs extend the library’s presence beyond its physical walls. Through case studies, participant feedback, and analysis of program outcomes, this study demonstrates how reading clubs not only cultivate literacy and engagement but also transform members into ambassadors who promote the library’s mission and services. The findings highlight how strategically designed and community-responsive reading programs can strengthen public perception of libraries as inclusive, active, and indispensable community hubs

Sanja Dukić

Bookmark Your Library – Marketing, Public Awareness, Promotion

The presentation shows How we present our library to the public. How we reach new members. Our project ‘Library without Walls,’ within which we became visible, creative, and established great cooperation with elementary schools.

Niko Cvjetković

New Library on the Block: Step By Step

Over the past decade, the Rijeka City Library has been undergoing an intensive transformation process, significantly shaped by Rijeka’s nomination as the European Capital of Culture in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the relocation of the Central library to a new building in the newly established Artkvart (cultural neighborhood) which was formerly an industrial site. This presentation will provide an overview of the Rijeka City Library, with particular emphasis on its role and initiatives in the revitalization of the Neighborhood.

Kristian Benić

How to reinvent the public library with marketing and communication?

Transformation of public libraries is an ongoing process with many layers. One of the most importantise innovative marketing practices and the implementation of a proactive communication strategy. With examples from Rijeka City Library, we will try to understand how to build a contemporary library focused on innovative technologies and digital media.

Martina Tabula

Librarian’s lifelong learning to be their community’s catalysts

We librarians have always been resistant, refusing to go away but instead learn, listen, read, and change our own concepts, and/or the way we communicate ideas to our ever-changing community.
Quick Google search says our new roles are:
– Navigating and Managing the Digital Landscape.
– Empowering Users Through Technology Training.
– Exploring and Implementing Emerging Technologies.
– Engaging with Data and Digital Scholarship.
Yes, digital world navigation and training is a big part of most of our jobs, but I would say that our role above all roles is to best use our own capabilities to answer our community creative and intellectual wants and needs. And as such it hasn’t changed much in its core idea. And, of course, as our communities are changing faster than ever it will require a lot of learning. Which directions should our education go? I would put a lot more psychology and sociology to accompany the technological knowledge.

Joanna Chapska

New Roles, Same Mission – How the Librarian Profession Is Transforming to Survive and Inspire

The aim of my presentation is to show how the librarian profession is evolving. I would like to highlight the new roles we play in education and to inspire all of us to continuously develop our competences, because it is up to us to ensure that libraries remain vital in society. I believe the future of libraries will depend on two things: our ability to adapt and the strength of our professional community. We don’t need to be superheroes, but we must be curious, courageous, and open to people.

Sorina Stanca

From paper to digital – local history just a click away

The presentation aims to exemplify the way of promoting local history, by creating the Emil Isac virtual museum, a single point of access to all types of resources in the Isac Fund. Emil Isac was a cultural figure from Cluj, Romania.The presentation also contains a description of the Cutreier Clujul (Visiting Cluj) application, a tool that connects the general public to the values of cultural heritage, through technology. Thematic routes in our city were uploaded and described in the application, thus providing information about monuments, churches, historical buildings or other tourist attractions.

Jasmina Ninkov

Connection, Creation, Interaction, Inspiration – the future of libraries

The presentation deals with presenting examples of good practice of the National Library of Serbia on the topic Connection, Creation, Interaction, Inspiration – the future of libraries. An overview is given of international cooperation, cooperation with publishers, the creation of bibliographies, archaeological descriptions, activities in the Hilandar Monastery, as well as examples of organizing unconventional cultural events.

Jasmina Ninkov and Dragana Milunović

Continuing Professional Development in Library and Information Science in Serbia

This presentation will outline the professional training of librarians in Serbia. We will begin with the historical origins before shifting focus to the modern operational framework and the legal regulations that govern this field in a uniform and centralized manner. The discussion will incorporate statistical indicators from our research. These data not only highlight current achievements but also identify significant areas for improvement in professional practice. Special emphasis will be placed on the coordinating role of the National Library of Serbia in executing and managing these key tasks.

Marjan Marinkovic

Game of Facts – Libraries Driving News Literacy

This presentation will showcase two international projects of the Belgrade City Library, supported by the EU Erasmus+ Programme, dedicated to fostering citizens’ news literacy and critical thinking. It will highlight how libraries, through cross-sector partnerships, can effectively contribute to this field. Special emphasis will be placed on the development of high-quality educational content and the use of innovative methods such as game-based and blended learning.

Olivera Krivošić

The Digital Archive of the Matica Srpska Library: A Cultural Bridge Through Legal Documents

The presentation will highlight the Digital Archives of the Matica Srpska Library as a tool for connecting cultures. The archive contains digitized documents in numerous languages, and the focus of this presentation will be on legal documents from the 15th to the 19th centuries. A special emphasis will be placed on Sava Tekelija, one of the first Matica Srpska presidents, recognized as the first Serbian Doctor of Law.

Snezhana Stojchevska

Libraries in the new era: Roles and challenges

The Public Institution City Library „Brothers Miladinovci” – Skopje is the largest public library in Macedonia, with a network of 18 branches. This year, the library celebrates 80 years since the liberation of Macedonia, reflecting decades of continuous service and advancement in librarianship. The institution faces challenges arising from modern technological trends, social media, and artificial intelligence, as well as societal conditions affecting its operations. To address these challenges, the library employs innovative strategies to attract readers and enhance its visibility, ensuring its continued role as a central hub for cultural and educational engagement.

Ivona Djamtovska Jankulovska

Bridging Cultures through Digitization of Macedonian Literary Heritage and Inclusive Library Practices

This paper highlights the City Library „Brothers Miladinovci” – Skopje and its efforts to preserve and promote Macedonian literary heritage. The digital transformation of cultural heritage represents both a challenge and an opportunity for the contemporary library, which strives to preserve, present and provide public access to unique cultural literature. It focuses on the digitization of manuscripts, poetry, prose and photographs, making the works of Macedonian authors accessible to an international audience. Innovative projects such as „Draw a Song”, where selected poems were illustrated by renowned local artists and published by the library, demonstrate creative ways to connect literature and the visual arts. The library also encourages an inclusive approach for diverse audiences, including visually impaired users and different ethnic communities. Through digital services, preservation initiatives and community engagement, the library connects cultures and promotes intercultural understanding.

Keywords: Digitization, Macedonian Literature, Cultural Heritage, Library Services, Inclusion

Judit Gerencsér

Redefining libraries: trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the national library of the future

Libraries are in the midst of a global transformation. As digital ecosystems evolve and user expectations shift, libraries are redefining their traditional missions and exploring new ways to remain essential in an information-rich but attention-scarce world. They are moving beyond their historical role as knowledge repositories to become active facilitators of learning, collaboration, and innovation.

This presentation provides an overview of key international trends — including digital transformation, AI integration, and community engagement — that are reshaping library work and identity. It also considers the enduring challenges of maintaining trust, inclusivity, and long-term preservation in a rapidly changing digital environment.

Building on this broader context, the talk focuses on the evolving role of national libraries as both guardians of cultural heritage and drivers of innovation. Using the National Széchényi Library of Hungary as a case study, it presents several recent initiatives and good practices that illustrate how a national library can respond to contemporary challenges — from digital collections and data-driven services to new forms of public engagement and international collaboration.

In the spirit of the 4th China-CEEC Curators’ Forum of Libraries Union, the presentation also reflects on how cooperation and knowledge exchange between Chinese and Central-Eastern European libraries can inspire new models of connection, creation, and shared innovation — strengthening the global library community for the future.

Maja Micevska Rizova and Jana Mihajlovska

Bridging Culture through Library collections

Libraries are living institutions that reflect a nation’s intellectual journey through time. They are far more than mere storehouses of books—they are embodiments of their communities’ cultural identity and fabric. Through their commitment to preservation, promotion, engagement, education, and access, libraries enrich the lives of residents, celebrate diversity, and foster a sense of collective belonging. This paper will examine several key points in library activities and examples of good practice that contribute to connecting cultures.

Keywords: library, library collection, bridging culture, preservation, digitization

Ivana Stojanova

From Information Access to Lifelong Learning: The Evolving Role of Libraries

Libraries are increasingly positioning themselves as centers for education and lifelong learning, not just repositories of books. The librarian profession is undergoing a big transformation, driven by digital technology, open access movements, AI, and evolving community needs.Far from disappearing, librarianship is expanding into new roles that blend traditional skills with cutting-edge demands.

Andrew Cranfield

Shelter from the Storm: Libraries as Spaces for Dialogue, Inclusion and Transformation

With an estimated 65.000 public libraries across Europe the potential to be a driver and powerhouse for creating new democratic and open spaces is a policy that should be developed and pursued at every level. Cultural institutions face challenges of funding and legitimacy across many fronts, where we must learn the art of producing culture with the people rather than for the people. The keynote with address the journey that libraries have been on over recent journeys and show how new library policies and social innovation can meet a number of societal problems that many countries around the world are facing today.

Helen Mandl

Translating Trends – transforming ideas to impactful local actions

This keynote will delve into the IFLA Trend Report as a basis for exploring how libraries can grasp opportunities to evolve and thrive in complex environments. Libraries have a history of progression and development that, combined with a culture of sharing and learning, can ensure ongoing relevance in an increasingly information rich world. A fascinating future awaits those whose flexibility can help others adopt a mindset that is open to progress while remaining true to a value of critical thinking.

Dóra Kalydy

Knowledge. Experience and Beyond: Skills and Competencies Needed for Librarians Nowadays

Currently, nowhere in the world can librarian graduates be provided with up-to-date training, as the world of technology and research support is changing day by day. This is why it is particularly important for libraries to consider the skills and competencies required for their tasks. The presentation briefly introduces the continuing training program of LIBER (Association of European Research Libraries) and the Association of Hungarian Librarians’ Citizen Science Roadshow.

Anna Istók

The Evolution of Readers – An Interactive Educational Trail to Promote Library Services

At City Library of Gödöllő, marketing has been an integral part of the management strategy for many years. When designing and developing services, it deliberately incorporates the principles of experiential marketing, gamification, active user engagement, and the creation of a „love brand” — aiming to build emotional connections between the library and its visitors. Their latest innovation, „The Evolution of Readers”, is an interactive Educational Trail that playfully introduces visitors to the library’s lesser-known services. It invites users to explore the library space through games, quizzes, and self-guided tasks, offering a fun and meaningful way to connect with what the library offers. All of this takes place within a thematically designed experience environment, where storytelling, creativity, and playfulness guide the user journey — turning a simple visit into an engaging and memorable experience.

Andor Nagy

Andor Nagy – Máté Tóth: Fulfilling the mission of the library by developing partnerships – the case of a Hungarian county library.”

Hamvas Béla Pest County Library is serving the population of the city of Szentendre and Pest county, the agglomeration of the capital. The number of registered users, the book loans and online uses are continuously growing that represents an increasing demand toward library services in our area. The constantly growing demand is not accompanied by increasing financial support therefore new innovative ways have to be developed for catering the needs of our target population. We present how our library exploits the possibilities of collaboration with various partners from different fields of business, education, culture and social care.

Ding Yong

Reading China along the Grand Canal: Activating Library Cultural Dissemination through Innovative Models

This presentation uses the „Reading China Along the Grand Canal” initiative as a case study to explore how libraries can innovate in cultural dissemination. The campaign brought together libraries and media outlets from eight provinces and municipalities along the canal route. By adopting a „Reading + Field Research” model, it transformed static library collections into dynamic cultural experiences. Leveraging a comprehensive multi-channel promotion strategy, the initiative achieved extensive offline participation and reached tens of millions online. It serves as a successful exemplar for enhancing the efficacy of cultural propagation by libraries.

Rita Körmöczy

Good practices in user education at Klebelsberg Library of the University of Szeged

The University of Szeged Klebelsberg Library and Archives has rethought what knowledge a university student, a doctoral candidate or a lecturer actually needs when using a modern library in 21st century in order to meet the requirements of their own field as effectively as possible. We have a long tradition of using electronic teaching materials in various projects and situations. The most important and innovative good practices can be categorized into different levels by identifying different target groups.

These levels are similar to language learning:
• Beginner level: library tours for students and general services
• Basic level: Introduction to library services course and e-learning sites
• Intermediate level 1.: not only borrow books, but also a librarian
• Intermediate level 2.: in cooperation with the university, webinars and in-house trainings
• Upper-intermediate level: author’s toolbox
• Advanced level: Research Data Management – keep up with the current trends.

Keywords: user education, library services

Leonárd Petró

Transforming the university library: focus on the user experience

In 2019–20, the interior of the University and National Library of Debrecen’s 90-year-old building underwent a major renovation. However, the renovation went far beyond infrastructure development. The new service environment is the result of an approach in which we design not only our services but all areas of library operations based on user needs and user experience. This transformation is ongoing. In my presentation, I will use a few specific examples to illustrate how we are implementing this approach in various operational areas.

Gyula Kalcsó

Daily preservation of news portals using Browsertrix crawler

The presentation is about the daily archiving of Hungarian news portals using a browser-based crawler called Browsertrix. It covers how to configure crawls to save the content of portals in the best possible quality, as well as how the harvested content can be used to build large language models. It also shows how these harvests fit into the scope of web archiving activities.

Máté Szentkereszti

AI-powered recognition of hungarian handwriting

The presentation introduces the only publicly available Hungarian-language AI-based Handwriting Text Recognition (HTR) model, which has been developed by the digital philologists of the National Széchényi Library within Transkribus, the leading comprehensive platform for AI-powered text recognition in Europe. The paper outlines the role of this Hungarian model in the field of digital text editing and provides an overview of the fundamental principles of HTR, the successive stages of model development, and the distinctive linguistic and technical features of the Hungarian model. Finally, the applicability of HTR technology in public collections – such as libraries – is examined through the presentation of a model specifically designed for tabular documents.

Katalin Takácsné Bubnó

The role of the Hungarian Library Institute in the Hungarian library innovation

The Library Institute is the central institution in Hungary for libraries, the library system, services provided to librarians, strategic developments, and library research. It provides professional background and resources for the cultural government’s sectoral management role. In its work, it monitors social changes and provides strategic support for the development and implementation of responses to professional challenges. As the national coordinating body for public library services, the Library Institute provides services to libraries and the library system as a professionally independent organizational unit of the National Széchényi Library. During its 25 years of existence, the Library Institute has been the professional coordinator of numerous national projects. It not only coordinates domestic innovation, but also monitors the activities of libraries ranging from the smallest to the largest in the country. In my lecture, I would like to present this activity and briefly report on the latest innovations in Hungarian librarianship.

Mátyás Rényi

The impact of the digital transition on public collections: the changing role of the librarian profession

Due to the impact of digital transition and the expanding use of artificial intelligence, the librarian’s classic role is facing significant challenges. In the rapidly changing environment, it is necessary for a librarian to acquire many new skills and abilities in order to have up-to-date knowledge in the field of information science. The task is complicated by the fact that, thanks to integrating roles, the sharp boundaries between the individual areas are blurred, so it is often difficult to detect who has what task in relation to a project. In my presentation, I will present the challenges, the librarian profession faces and the possible attempts to solve them, taking into account the comparative advantages of the librarian profession.

Dániel Görög

Automated post-digitization system.

In order that the Digital Preservation Department of the NSZL could maintain its high output in terms of the preservation work, and keep up with high demand of public service, there had to be innovative solutions. Mass digitization faces a challange by the post-digitizaton tasks. The NSZL has been looking for solutions for years, as post-digitization consumes huge resources. These tasks provide little additional value, and if done by conventional methods, are labor intensive, and not organic parts of neither digitization, nor digital preservation. Still without post-digitization tasks done, processing the digitized documents cannot continue. With help of artificial intelligence and other departments, we restructured the tasks and created tools that make the tasks not only faster and less labor intensive, but allow better task tracking.

Rita Radó

Digitizing the Past, Interpreting the Future – The Power of Reading in the Digital Era

In our rapidly evolving technological world, reading – and its integration with technology – remains essential for understanding and shaping the future. The ability to read supports interpretation, critical thinking, and knowledge creation, which are vital for navigating information and making cultural heritage accessible and meaningful in digital environments.This presentation highlights an international project of the National Széchényi Library, showing how digitization and appropriate regulatory frameworks have enabled meaningful engagement with cultural heritage. Through collaboration, reading becomes more than information consumption – it transforms into a shared cultural and community experience.

Zou Xuming

Safeguarding Historical Roots: The Value, Practice, and Prospects of Local Literature

Local literature serves as the cornerstone for safeguarding the roots of history. It not only records the „full history” of a certain area but also carries the „nostalgia” of the collective memory of the people. It plays an irreplaceable role in preserving history, educating people and providing policy advice. As the supporting institution for the Local Literature Research Professional Group of the Library Society of China, Hunan Library systematically promotes local literature work through a three-in-one model of „”collection, preservation and utilization””. We took the initiative to build a collection network and widely collected nearly 190,000 volumes of documents such as family trees and folk documents. We have built standard warehouses and vigorously carried out digitalization to ensure the safety and sustainability of literature. We have also brought static documents to life through exhibitions, research and the construction of the „”Hunan Local Literature Database””, etc., to serve the public. In the future, we call for a social „”chorus”” where everyone can engage in cross-border cooperation, jointly build a resource network, share the fruits of wisdom, and carry forward the historical roots. We are willing to join hands with all sectors of society to jointly safeguard this precious cultural heritage with an innovative spirit.

Wu Cuihong

Guangzhou Library Innovation Reading Hub

As an innovative practitioner in public cultural services, Guangzhou Library actively promotes the innovative application of VR technology in reading promotion, with its Future Reading Hub serving as a successful example in this field. In this forum, Guangzhou Library will focus on the theme of VR Technology and the Future of Reading Development. It will first analyze the impact of VR technology on public reading habits from four dimensions, then provide a detailed introduction to the overall construction, operational features, and achievements of the Future Reading Hub, and finally share forward-thinking insights on the construction and operation of future reading spaces.

Liu Dong

Reading as a Scenario: Practice and Insights into „New Reading Spaces” in Communities of Hangzhou

Centering on the theme of „Connection, Creation, Interaction, Inspiration – The Future of Libraries”, this keynote speech focuses on the development of public reading spaces and the vitalization of communities. It points out that new reading spaces are driving traditional libraries to shift their focus from „book collection” to „service first”. Meanwhile, it highlights the challenges faced by traditional public cultural services and further proposes the concept of „Reading as a Scenario”.Taking the practice of Hangzhou Public Library as a case study, the speech introduces its efforts in establishing theme-based libraries and neighborhood reading spaces, as well as its innovative explorations such as the „One-Click Borrowing” service and the Metaverse Music Library. It summarizes the experiences of „people-oriented” approach, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and localized innovation. Looking ahead, the speech envisions that reading scenarios will become the „golden key” to community vitalization, injecting vitality into new-type communities through „connection”.

Nie Lingrui

Artificial Intelligence Empowers the New Ecosystem of Library Services: The „Smart Transformation” Practice of Hangzhou Public Library

Against the backdrop of digitalization, artificial intelligence (AI) exerts a profound impact on the library sector. Chinese libraries have achieved notable results in AI application, such as intelligent Q&A systems, AI librarians, and intelligent acquisition systems. However, they face constraints including fund shortages, insufficient AI capability in processing complex knowledge, and uneven AI literacy among librarians. Against this backdrop, Hangzhou Public Library has developed distinctive transformation practices. It has not only launched the DS intelligent librarian and built a metaverse music library but also established China’s first digital and intelligent technology branch library. Looking ahead, libraries need to further deepen integration with AI, transforming from „knowledge storage spaces” to „cultural interaction spaces,” and shifting reading from „passive reception” to „active participation.”

Ding Yong

Collaboratively Construct Wisdom and Thoroughly Analyze Data

The report shared the practical experience of big data development in public libraries in Jiangsu Province, China. It highlighted the Nanjing Library Big Data Laboratory as the technical hub, which has established a „comprehensive, accurate, interconnected, and efficient” big data system covering a five-tier library network across the province. At the application level, diversified scenarios have been developed to serve readers, enhance sector management, and support future smart services—particularly through the use of AI large models to empower intelligent services. Finally, the report proposed strengthening international exchange and cooperation to collectively address challenges such as data standards and privacy protection, thereby fostering innovation and development in the global library sector.

Mao Xiaoming

Discussions on Ancient Books: With a Focus on the Precious Collections of Nanjing Library

Basic knowledge of Ancient Books，the Origin and Characteristics of Ancient Books in Nanjing Library，the Protection, Promotion and Utilization of Ancient Books.

Wu Hao

Exploration and Reflection on AI-Empowered Library Services and Operations Restructuring

This presentation will address current challenges in library services and operations, and share the Guangdong Provincial Zhongshan Library’s experiences and insights in leveraging AI and other emerging technologies to enhance collection discovery and enable automated cataloging.

Guo Lamei

New Technologies Empower Innovation and Upgrading of Library Services

This presentation introduces Suzhou Library’s innovative transformation empowered by emerging technologies. By leveraging big data, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, the library has established a „1+3” smart service system and launched the „Reading Express” platform to deliver integrated, precise, and user-centered services. The AI platform integrates multiple models to offer an AI assistant, personalized book recommendations, keyword suggestions, and psychological reading insights, along with digital human interactions. Furthermore, Suzhou Library promotes digital literacy and cultural innovation through AI-themed reading campaigns and public education programs, driving the high-quality development of smart library services.