Powering Library Change: What ELAN teaches us about networks, capacity and impact

Abstract

Libraries in Europe are responding to increasingly complex societal challenges, from democratic participation and sustainability to rapid digital transformation. Library associations have an important role in helping the profession navigate these changes, but their capacity, resources and operating environments vary considerably. Stronger cooperation across borders can help associations learn from one another, develop shared responses and translate European priorities into meaningful action at national and local levels.

This presentation introduces the European Library Associations Network (ELAN) [https://eblida.org/], an EBLIDA initiative supported through the Creative Europe programme. ELAN brings together library associations across Europe around key areas including libraries and democracy, sustainability, digital transformation, professional capacity and co-creative partnerships. Through conferences, peer-learning activities, exchange visits, webinars, advocacy events and mentoring, the network creates opportunities to share knowledge and good practice, strengthen professional capacity and develop cross-border collaboration.

Rather than viewing networking as an end in itself, the presentation explores how European cooperation can become a practical mechanism for change. Drawing on ELAN and the perspectives of national library associations, it considers how networks can help identify shared challenges, turn policy into advocacy, disseminate expertise and build stronger informal and institutional relationships.

The session will invite participants to reflect on what makes a professional network valuable and sustainable, and how shared knowledge, collective capacity and collaboration can strengthen library associations and ultimately increase the impact of libraries in their communities.

Keywords: European Library Associations Network (ELAN); library associations; professional networks; capacity building; cross-border collaboration; advocacy; peer learning; library impact