Future-Ready Libraries: Strengthening Digital Marketing Competencies
The Erasmus+ project Up-skill and Re-skill Librarians in Modern Marketing Solution Curriculum has reached a crucial milestone with the finalization of its curriculum. Over the past year, through a series of activities, meetings, and introductory training sessions, the project has refined its content to align with the evolving needs of librarians in Serbia and Romania. This initiative underscores the importance of professional development in digital marketing and the role of collaboration in addressing industry challenges.
A key component of the project was the introductory training sessions on digital marketing for librarians, held online in Serbia and Romania on November 22. These sessions served as a practical demonstration of the curriculum application, providing valuable insights into its effectiveness and areas for improvement.
The primary goal of the online introductory training sessions was to enhance librarians' understanding of digital communication channels, marketing strategies, and the role of digital marketing in libraries. Thanks to thorough planning and close collaboration between teams, the workshops exceeded expectations in both participation and impact. Feedback collected through evaluation forms provided critical guidance for refining the curriculum to better meet librarians' needs.
Post-training evaluations revealed that participants in both countries found the sessions highly beneficial, particularly appreciating practical examples and tools such as Google Analytics and social media strategies. Many attendees emphasized the value of understanding algorithm functionality and audience targeting. While the sessions were well received, some participants suggested reducing theoretical content in favor of more hands-on exercises, such as social media profile creation and SEO optimization strategies. Trainers Simona Žikić and Nataša Krstić in Serbia, along with Diana Gheorgies and Lorendana Stanciu in Romania, were highly praised for their expertise and ability to adapt to different knowledge levels.
Beyond achieving their educational objectives, the sessions played a crucial role in increasing the project's visibility and promoting its final outcome—the curriculum in three languages: Serbian, Romanian and English —within the library community. This curriculum should be viewed as a living document and a foundation for future initiatives, including the potential development of a course, handbook, or online learning platform. These efforts will ensure that libraries’ digital communication strategies align with the evolving needs of modern society, empowering librarians to use digital tools and platforms innovatively. Moreover, it has the potential to serve as a flexible model for other cultural institutions in the future.
By taking this approach, we can work toward a long-term goal—transforming libraries into dynamic digital hubs that cater to the needs of contemporary users, particularly younger generations born in the (post)digital era. Both the project itself and its planned follow-up initiatives are essential for identifying the challenges and opportunities libraries face in implementing digital marketing. They also lay the groundwork for overcoming these barriers and driving progress in digital transformation.
For more information, please visit the project’s Webpage and Facebook page
