Every year, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) organises the most international professional event for the library sector: the World Library and Information Congress (WLIC). Librarians, researchers, policymakers, and experts from around the world gather to network, discuss, learn from each other, and shape the future of libraries at such a global scale.
As the LibrarIN project nears its final stage, WLIC 2025 in Astana (18–21 August) provided an ideal platform to share these insights more widely and showcase the project’s tools to library staff and policymakers. Marta Anducas from the Lisbon Council represented LibrarIN at the congress, contributing to discussions on the future of libraries.
The LibrarIN Toolkit: Driving Collaboration Beyond Library Borders
The IFLA science and technology section hosted the session “Building the future together to support the SDGs: Collaboration beyond library borders” to explore the collaboration between libraries, research offices, IT units and external organisations, and provide strategies for leveraging library resources aligned with SDGs, as well as best practices for disseminating research outputs that influence policy and practice.
Within this context, the LibrarIN project was presented, and two of its key tools were showcased: the Library Policy Tracker, which tracks the extent to which national policies align with EU-level recommendations regarding LibrarIN research areas; and the What-works database, a living collection of good library practices designed to inspire librarians.
Key takeaways from the presentation included:
- Libraries as key pillars of democracy and social cohesion: The Library Policy Tracker shows that the most frequently covered policy areas are participatory management, sustainable growth, and social innovation. This reflects strong national-level support for the democratic mission of libraries and their collaborations both within and beyond the sector.
- Policy gaps: The tracker analysis highlights two major gaps: digital innovation & AI, and living labs. While living labs lack national policy support for co-creation, digital innovation & AI -though widely discussed- are often absent from national digital transformation strategies. Only Slovenia integrates libraries into its national AI strategy with an ethical framework, while Denmark includes them as key actors in promoting the ethical use of AI.
- Libraries beyond borders and policy limitations: Despite these policy gaps, nearly half of the good practices in the What-works database are related to digital innovation & AI. This shows that a lack of top-down policy does not prevent progress. Libraries continue to innovate across territorial, institutional, and policy boundaries.
Closing remarks
The presentation drew an audience of around forty participants, who expressed strong interest in the collaborative design of the tools and their practical value for library professionals. To support further engagement, attendees and other conference participants received flyers with project information and a QR code linking directly to the toolkit.
The LibrarIN team thanks all participants for their interest and valuable discussions!