By Hannah Doctor-Loeb
More than 2000 years ago, the Library of Alexandria in Egypt stood as a symbol of knowledge and discovery in the ancient world. But it was never just a place to keep scrolls. It was a meeting point, a place where scholars gathered, debated ideas, and created new knowledge together.
Today, libraries across Europe are being reimagined – not as quiet repositories of books, but as dynamic public spaces that respond to changing social needs.
Barbara Kieslinger, a senior scientist at the Center for Social Innovation in Vienna, has special interests in citizen science, community innovation, and the way people come together to share knowledge and ideas.
Part of his work looks at makerspaces and how digital tools can help create more collaborative public spaces. He noticed how expectations around libraries were beginning to shift.
“Libraries are realizing that it’s not enough to just lend books or videos,” he said. “They want to offer new experiences.”
With support from EU funding, Kieslinger is now helping lead a research initiative called Make-A-Tech. Running from 2025 to 2028, the Make-A-Thec team is working with libraries across Europe to explore how they can take on new roles in society.
Researchers are focusing on transforming libraries into what Kiesslinger calls “third spaces” – a concept that describes spaces outside of home and work where people can freely meet, create and connect.
A new introduction to libraries
The change comes at a time when libraries are under pressure to stay relevant in an increasingly digital world. While access to information has never been easier, the need for trusted, inclusive public spaces remains strong.
“We’re seeing a growing demand for spaces that feel like a community living room,” Kieslinger said. “Places that are open, welcoming and accessible to all.”
Libraries are realizing that just lending books or videos is not enough. They want to offer new experiences.
He and his team are working directly with libraries of all sizes to experiment with new formats A key idea is the introduction of “makerspaces” – areas where visitors can learn practical skills, collaborate with others and explore creative projects.
A special focus on sustainable and circular fashion and craftsmanship. Rather than simply providing equipment, these spaces are co-designed to combine workshops, peer learning and community exchange under one roof.
The method looks very different depending on the settings. In Helsinki, Finland, the central library OD already has an extensive makerspace infrastructure, including a dedicated floor for creative work. There, Make-A-Thek is helping tailor programs for specific groups and communities.
In contrast, smaller libraries are beginning this journey. For example, in the Polish city of Opole, the municipal public library launched its first makerspace workshop this spring.
“It’s not like a cafe, which is about use,” says Patricja Przybylska, who works as the library’s accessibility and project coordinator and organized the initiative locally. “It’s about access to knowledge and the opportunity to create something yourself.”
From users to co-creators
While Kieslinger’s work focused on hands-on creativity, another EU-funded initiative took a different angle. The LibrarIN project, which ran from 2021 to 2025, examined how libraries can become more collaborative and community-driven as they reinvent themselves, and how citizens can shape that process.
Anna Triantafilou, director of the Innovation Lab at the Athens Technology Center in Greece, led the LibraIN team that explored how libraries can go beyond simply providing services to actively co-create with citizens.
“It’s a shift from ‘collection’ to ‘connection,'” he said. “The value of libraries today is not just what they offer, but how they engage people and support collaboration.”
LibraIN researchers have created one of the largest European evidence bases on library innovation, bringing together 38 case studies and survey responses from over 1200 public and academic libraries.
Their research highlights how libraries are evolving across three key areas: digital transformation, community experimentation and social entrepreneurship.
In practice, this can take many forms. Some national libraries are using AI to improve access to their collections through automated indexing.
Others, particularly in countries like Denmark and Finland, are creating “living labs” – places where new services are designed and tested together with users in real-life settings.
Elsewhere, libraries are partnering with local organizations to meet community needs, for example hosting repair cafes or supporting grassroots initiatives.
“Libraries are increasingly becoming platforms where communities, institutions and policymakers work together to address real societal challenges,” Triantfilo said.
Sharing knowledge across borders
A key strength of both initiatives is their European scope. By connecting libraries in different countries, researchers are helping them learn from each other and adapt successful ideas to their own contexts.
“Bringing together experiences from different countries allows libraries to reflect on their own practices in a more structured way,” says Triantfilo.
This cross-border exchange is important at a time when many libraries face similar pressures: limited funding, staff shortages and the need to develop new skills.
Changing mindsets can also be difficult. Some stakeholders still view libraries primarily as places to borrow books rather than active community spaces.
“There may be resistance, especially from those who fund the library,” Kieslinger noted. “But expectations are changing, and libraries need to evolve with them.”
Taking innovation on the road
The value of libraries today is not just what they offer, but how they engage with people and support collaboration.
To extend their impact beyond partner institutions, both project teams developed practical tools and outreach activities.
The LibraIN team has developed an online toolkit that allows libraries to explore real-life examples, compare approaches, and find inspiration for their own initiatives.
The Make-A-Tech team, meanwhile, is preparing a small bus to travel around Europe with tools, materials and workshop kits. The mobile unit will visit rural and underserved areas, offering hands-on activities to show local communities what a revamped library can and can look like.
In July 2026 they will also have a digital toolkit to help libraries create their own Make-A-Thek.
Rebuilding a timeless institution
Even as technological and social changes shape their evolution, the core mission of libraries remains strikingly familiar.
“Libraries have always been about sharing knowledge and bringing people together,” Przybylska said. “It hasn’t changed.”
What is changing is how that mission is delivered. From makerspaces and co-creation workshops to digital services and community partnerships, libraries are expanding their role in society and in many cases finding new audiences in the process.
“With the right support, libraries can play a central role in addressing major societal challenges, from digital inclusion to democratic participation,” said Triantafilo.
In many ways, the transformation underway today echoes the spirit of the Library of Alexandria: not just a place of knowledge, but a place where ideas are shared, communities are created, and new possibilities take shape.
The research in this article was funded by the EU’s Horizons programme. The views of the interviewees do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. If you liked this article, please consider sharing it on social media.
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This article was originally published by Horizon, EU Research and Innovation Magazine with Creative Commons Attribution
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