TALE

Culture and knowledge in the European society we are living in can no longer be approached in a national or local perspective. There is a need to raise awareness on the other cultures and societies
that forms the European Union, and deliver the message to the citizens that difference is what makes Europe unique. In other words, there is a need to convey the idea that Europe is greater than the sum of its parts, especially in this particular historical moment, signed by a raising distrust in European institutions. Libraries could have a strategic role in this sense, in medium and small towns, as they could be an open window on Europe and provide a glimpse of other cultures through structured events/exhibitions/initiatives. In order for this to happen, it is necessary to provide librarians with the right skills needed to innovate libraries’ services.

All the partners believe in the importance of public libraries as modern learning hubs close to citizens and potential learners. Public libraries have been expanding their role in local communities
enormously over the last decades, many of them now help people develop their digital skills, advance or acquire other skills (such as literacy) through various lifelong learning opportunities and offer a neutral and trusted space for people to create, learn, and connect. Libraries across Europe find new ways to be innovative, they are places where people find jobs, where grandparents Skype with their families. In the European knowledge society of lifelong learning, public libraries must be seen as a link between the local learning setting and the global resources of information and knowledge.

In particular, librarians should acquire or improve their multilingual competences, digital skills, cultural awareness and expression competences. Such skills are required to structure future European mobility or research and development projects, create new contacts and increase the network of partner organizations abroad. Moreover, at local level, they are useful to support people from other countries visiting libraries, including people with an immigrant background and refugees. The project TALE aims at answering libraries’ need to innovate their services by providing librarians from Italy with job-shadowing and training opportunities abroad.