Public Libraries and the Digital Turn: A Comparative Perspective Across Four European Countries

This article summarises the research conducted by the DigLib partners across Italy, Poland, Flanders (Belgium), and Romania in order to offer a comparative overview of the evolving role of public libraries in the digital age. The research report brings together interviews, survey results, and desk analysis. Its findings will guide the next phase of the project: a) defining the training modules in a specific virtual environment; b) shaping the methodology; c) creating the Living Libraries where DigLib’s learning approaches will be tested in real environments.

Results

The Role if libraries in the digital era

Across the four countries examined, public libraries are increasingly involved in supporting citizens as they navigate digital public services, online learning, and wider digital participation. Although each country presents unique cultural and organisational contexts, the research highlights shared challenges as libraries respond to the digitalisation of society. Libraries have become trusted, accessible points of support, especially for people who struggle with digital technologies or have limited access to other forms of assistance. Demand for digital support continues to grow in all four countries. Older adults remain the most frequent users seeking help with basic digital communication tools, but requests also come from job seekers dealing with online administrative procedures, parents navigating school-related platforms, and migrants adjusting to unfamiliar digital systems. This diversity of users underlines how public libraries increasingly serve as inclusive, safe environments where people feel comfortable asking for digital help.

General barriers faced by libraries

Despite the growing reliance on libraries, many operate with limited digital infrastructure. Basic services such as public computers, Wi-Fi connectivity, and printing are available in many libraries, yet access is far from universal, particularly in rural or smaller municipalities. Some libraries continue to struggle with outdated equipment, unreliable connectivity, or insufficient availability of devices to meet community needs. More advanced technologies such as virtual reality tools, robotics kits, and high-performance devices are even less common, limiting the development of innovative digital learning opportunities and reinforcing existing inequalities between regions and user groups.

A differentiated availability of structural development

A strong theme emerging from the research is the motivation and adaptability of library staff. Across all four countries, librarians frequently build digital skills independently or through short-term initiatives offered by NGOs, regional networks, or variety of funded programmes. However, the availability of structured, continuous professional development differs significantly between countries. In Poland, deregulation and the absence of national competence standards have contributed to uneven skill levels. In Italy, academic programmes provide a valuable theoretical foundation but do not always align with the practical needs of public libraries. In Flanders, organisations such as Cultuurconnect and Mediawijs provide a more coordinated training landscape, although gaps remain in advanced technologies and inclusive pedagogy. In Romania, training opportunities are often project-based, resulting in inconsistency across regions.

Policy environment and emerging efforts

While the policy environment in all four countries remains fragmented, several efforts are underway to address digital inclusion. Poland’s Digital Competence Development Programme recognises the role of libraries as potential partners in community digital skills development, even if it does not offer a dedicated training pathway for librarians. Italy is witnessing experimentation through universities, regional library networks, and community makerspaces. Flanders continues to invest in shared digital services and a strong media literacy ecosystem that supports library staff. Romania relies on EU-funded initiatives and the active role of NGOs to sustain digital training in under-resourced areas. Taken together, these initiatives demonstrate a growing recognition of the contributions that public libraries make to digital inclusion.

Follow-up

The insights gathered from the DigLib research will serve as a foundation for building more coherent strategies in the future, strengthening the capacity of libraries to meet the evolving needs of their communities and supporting a more inclusive digital transformation across Europe. We’re doing our part!