A Digital Journey with the Library : How Polish librarians teach adults new technologies

DigLib project partners around a table at Book Stop in Warsaw

In October of last year, the "Digital Libraries" project team met with librarians from "Przystanek Książka" (The Book Stop), a library in Warsaw, Poland. This library serves not only as a meeting place for literature but also as a digital education centre for seniors, where they learn practical skills that facilitate their daily lives, both online and offline.

Bridging the digital divide

Modern life is increasingly moving to the internet, from staying in touch with loved ones to handling official matters. For many seniors, this represents a challenge. That is why librarians at "Przystanek Książka," a branch of one of Warsaw's district libraries, have been offering a programme for over a dozen years to help older adults overcome digital barriers and gain independence. Librarians conduct computer and smartphone courses, as well as one-to-one consultations that allow participants to solve real-world problems, ranging from installing specific applications to navigating social media. The topics are diverse and practical, covering popular apps, social networking, and digital photography.

Overcoming barriers: Tips from the experts

During the meeting, the librarians shared specific tips with the Digital Libraries team on how they overcome common obstacles:

Age-related barriers: the answer lies in providing a quiet space and dedicated attention.
Language and jargon: to address the difficulty of technical terminology or English vocabulary, they introduce only essential concepts (primarily in Polish) and teach seniors how to use Google Translate.
Setting boundaries: a key challenge is establishing clear rules for support so that seniors do not expect assistance 24 hours a day.

Continuous professional development

It is crucial for librarians to constantly develop their skills by participating in projects, training sessions, and self-learning. The staff at "Przystanek Książka" have participated in the Library Development Programme implemented by the Information Society Development Foundation (FRSI) and the "Digital Integration Animators" scheme run by the City of Warsaw. They collaborate with the LABIB Association of Active Librarians and the Initiatives Association of Library Directors. They also utilise the EPALE platform.

The results

More and more older residents of Warsaw are discovering that the digital world can be simple and safe.

DigLib partners meeting bookshelf deepview

The visit to the "Przystanek Książka" library was organised as part of a partnership meeting delivering the "Digital Libraries" project, which took place in Warsaw on 22–23 October 2025. This article was written by FRSI team with AI assistance for proofreading and translation. Images credit : Przystanek Książka - branch library of the Warsaw-Ochota Public Library.