Libraries are vital pillars of democratic societies, and in today’s fast-changing digital environment, their role in ensuring equitable access to knowledge and fostering an informed public is more critical than ever. This role is increasingly expanding, cementing libraries as crucial ‘third spaces’ for community participation, not just passive access to knowledge. As essential public service providers, libraries are increasingly adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enrich metadata, automate cataloguing, preserve cultural heritage, and provide multilingual access. These advances have the potential to democratise knowledge, foster inclusion, and strengthen libraries’ role as trustworthy guardians of cultural memory.
Yet, AI adoption is not just a technical upgrade. It requires ethical governance, skilled staff, sustainable funding, and infrastructure that respects cultural and linguistic diversity. Without targeted support, libraries risk being sidelined in national and European AI strategies, despite their unique contribution to democracy, culture, and digital inclusion. This transformation aligns with European Union priorities on digital innovation, the Council of Europe’s guidelines on library policy, and the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) Statement on Libraries and Artificial Intelligence, all of which highlight the need for responsible and people-centred approaches to technology. The forthcoming European Culture Compass offers a timely opportunity to place libraries at the heart of Europe’s cultural and digital transformation.
The Lisbon Council, in the context of the LibrarIN project, convenes a high-level policy roundtable to examine how libraries can be supported in their AI journey. The discussion will focus on ensuring that national and European strategies formally recognise the role of libraries, that investment in digital skills and interdisciplinary expertise enables librarians to take an active role in shaping AI, and that ethical frameworks and sustainable funding allow AI to be implemented in ways that are transparent, inclusive, and firmly rooted in democratic values. This exchange will contribute to the adoption of the Council of Europe recommendations and the definition of the European Culture Compass, helping to ensure that libraries fully embrace their potential as catalysts for ethical, inclusive, and sustainable AI adoption in the public sector.
Event Details
- Date: 21 October 2025,
- Time: 10h30-12h30 CET
- Location: Residence Palace, 155 Rue de la Loi, 1040 Brussels