European Library Associations Network

2026-07-22

Founded in 1992, EBLIDA – the European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Agencies – represents 122 members in 34 countries. The ELAN project led by EBLIDA builds and strengthens the capacities and professionalisation of library associations across Europe. ELAN prepares the library sector to play a more proactive role in future cultural policy development and levels the playing field of Europe’s library associations and ultimately its 70,000 libraries and its +100 million users. Libraries, universally trusted as inclusive public institutions, play a crucial role in promoting unrestricted access to culture and information across all formats, safeguarding and disseminating national literature and language, furthering personal agency and community engagement, thus underpinning democratic values through a wide variety of services and programs. Europe’s libraries are evolving and taking on additional societal roles, but the professional levels and capabilities of Europe’s library associations differ widely due to different governance of library associations and libraries themselves in the individual EU member states. ELAN pulls the heterogenous associations together, gauges in detail their situation and needs, and provides networking, knowledge sharing, capacity building and training in four key areas: 1. Democracy building and culture and reading for all 2. Sustainability, climate action and the greening of Europe 3. Digital transition, digital skills and the potential of AI 4. Cultural diplomacy in Europe but outside the EU especially regarding information integrity and the re-building Ukraine’s libraries Through a tailored and cascading approach, ELAN addresses the diverse needs of library associations, promoting best practices and policy advocacy, and developing sustainable models for libraries across Europe with special attention given across the areas to inclusivity incl. gender equality, mental health, media literacy and information integrity.

Netherlands

2026-02-15