Making libraries a key pillar of sustainable development through funding provided by the European Structural and Investment Fund
TELL is an ambitious initiative aiming to redefine the role of libraries as key actors in promoting sustainable development, the responsible integration of artificial intelligence tools, and the creation of resilience spaces to combat crisis situations through the use of European Structural Funds. The project is funded under Erasmus+, Partnerships for Cooperation in Adult Education (KA220-ADU), Call 2024, Round 1. The project consortium includes partners from Romania, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, France, Croatia and Portugal.
The objectives of the TELL project are to train around 1,500 professionals and create awareness among 500 decision-makers and around 30,000 adults about the new competences defined by the 2023 Council of Europe Recommendation on Library legislation and policy in Europe.
The project is based on the partnership between Asociația Națională a Bibliotecarilor și Bibliotecilor Publice din România, Romania, Rete delle Reti di Biblioteche italiane, Italy, DIETHNES PANEPISTIMIO ELLADOS, Greece, GLOBALNI BIBLIOTEKI - BULGARIYA, Bulgaria, Bibliothèque publique d'information, France, Hrvatsko knjižničarsko društvo, Croatia, CIMT - Comunidade Intermunicipal do Médio Tejo, Portugal, and Department of Information Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Osijek, Croatia.
An improved action model for European libraries
Through the development of educational content, the creation of a modern curriculum and a skills development plan, the TELL project aims to facilitate the acquisition of new knowledge and validate its application in real work environments to support adult education and improve local governance. To this end, TELL partners will organize Winter schools, national training events and implement a pilot project in the regional community of Medio Tejo in Portugal.
As a result of the collaboration between the project partners, TELL will lead to: the creation of 7 national networks of library experts, the drafting of a Guide for library professionals on the Council of Europe Recommendation, the development of a strategic Roadmap dedicated to ESIF 2028-2035, the creation of a curriculum and a competences development plan adapted to modern requirements.
Project TELL started implementation on November 1, 2024 and will end on October 31, 2026. Through its ambitious goals, the TELL project paves the way for a profound transformation of libraries, proposing them as essential centers of community resilience and local governance. Through massive training of library professionals, public awareness raising and international collaboration, the project actively contributes to strengthening the role of libraries as key actors in democracy, education and innovation.
TELL: new education and development opportunities for European librarians
The kick-off meeting of the TELL - Trans European Learning Libraries project took place under the coordination of the National Association of Librarians and Public Libraries in Romania (ANBPR), the project leader. The event brought together, in a hybrid format (in-person and online), representatives from the 8 partners, providing a favorable framework for collaboration, exchange of best practices and the definition of an integrated vision on common objectives.
During the meeting, the project teams reviewed the implementation plan, summarized the main implementation steps and established the methodological approach needed to achieve TELL's ambitious objectives. They also discussed the essential requirements for monitoring qualitative and quantitative indicators, as well as solutions to ensure the long-term sustainability of the initiative.
A central aspect of the meeting was to explore synergies between partners, highlighting the valuable expertise that each organization brings to the qualitative implementation of the project. TELL aims to take an innovative approach, contributing to the education and development of librarians through advocacy, supporting the Council of Europe Recommendation on Libraries and promoting the 2030 Agenda goals.
"The TELL project offers new perspectives for the continuing education and development of Europe's librarians, encouraging them to become advocates on meeting the goals of the 2030 Agenda and implementing the Council of Europe Recommendation on Libraries. The transnational collaboration, the complementary expertise of the partners and the exchange of best practices favor the building of a sustainable and innovative model, dedicated to creating a positive impact for communities and professionals alike", said Ioana Crihana, TELL Project Manager.
“The TELL Guide and TELL’s work on European Structural and Investment Funds will guarantee that the Council of Europe Recommendation on Library Legislation and Policy in Europe will be concretely applied throughout Europe. This work wonderfully liaises with the work of the OMC Group now being undertaken at the Council of European Union level”, adds Giuseppe Vitiello, TELL Scientific Coordinator.
About TELL: The TELL - TRANS-EUROPEAN LEARNING LIBRARIES project brings together eight partners from seven countries to develop a successful educational model in promoting the Council of Europe Recommendation throughout Europe and library financing through the European Structural and Investment Funds. The initiative includes the creation of an innovative curriculum, the organization of 2 Winter schools and the implementation of a Road Map to the inclusion of libraries in the European Structural and Investment Funds 2028-2035, all addressing the needs of both librarians and their communities.
Megjegyzés
Absolutely amazing to see…
Absolutely amazing to see development like this in libraries. They really are a hub for knowledge and a safe space, and not only for books! Sounds like an amazing project.