LibrarIN

How can transformative innovation succeed in European libraries? What might a theoretical model for this look like? And how, for example, does the change from analog to digital use of libraries take shape?

The LibrarIN project is asking these and other questions. It is funded by Horizon Europe, the EU's funding program for research and innovation. From Germany, the University of Konstanz is involved in the project. Since November 2022, a total of 10 European partner organizations have been working to find new ways of participatory management and sustainable funding for European libraries. The research project will explore how libraries can develop new functions, services and collaboration with users, who can be individuals, organizations or communities. This requires social innovation based on shared values and demand-driven design of library services. LibrarIN focuses in particular on three areas of shared value creation: digital transformation, living labs, social entrepreneurship, and innovation networks between the public, private, and third sectors.

LibrarIN makes it clear that libraries are important cultural institutions. They provide access to information, education, culture and science. Thanks to the research project, a value-based cooperation is thus initiated that makes European libraries "fit for the future"!