CC BY 4.0Lujanac, Antonija2026-09-202026-09-202026-09-20https://2026.ifla.orghttps://repository.ifla.org/handle/20.500.14598/7399As artificial intelligence and automated systems become increasingly integrated into modern educational landscapes, school libraries are evolving from traditional repositories of physical resources into vibrant, community-oriented centers for human development. This paper explores how school libraries can intentionally cultivate empathy, emotional awareness, active citizenship, and cross-cultural communication. Drawing from empirical practice at Osnovna škola Dobriše Cesarića in Zagreb, this paper examines three experiential frameworks: outdoor urban gardening with European Solidarity Corps volunteers, bibliotherapy, and student-led community problem mapping. Furthermore, the paper demonstrates how empowering young learners to identify and address real-world local challenges cultivates civic responsibility, agency, and collaborative problem-solving skills essential for the future workforce.enghttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/School librariesSkillsCivic literaciesBibliotherapyYouth participationCollaborative learningEvents materialtAntonija Lujanac