The multiplier event of the BIBLIO project organised by DAISSy Research Group-HOU in Patras (Greece), was a real success!

The multiplier event in Greece, entitled “The new roles of the Library Community within the digital era“, was a very successful initiative! It was organised onsite (“My Way” hotel, Patras, Greece) and remotely (via the Zoom platform) on 24^th April 2023 by the DAISSy Research Group of the Hellenic Open University (HOU), within the framework of the implementation of the “BIBLIO: Boosting digital skills ad competencies for librarians in Europe” EU project. It triggered the interest of library professionals, experts and practitioners, representatives of authorities and institutions, active citizens, and, more generally, anyone interested in the digital evolution within the library world.

More precisely, the dissemination event included six (6) speeches and a video presentation attended by more than forty five (45) participants and addressed the multiple challenges and the significant opportunities of the librarian community in the digital era, as identified through the BIBLIO project outcomes.

Prof Achilles KAMEAS, Director of DAISSy and Scientific Coordinator of the BIBLIO project in Greece, launched the event by welcoming the participants and presenting the valuable work done by the DAISSy Research Group of the HOU. The map of currently ongoing projects was impressive – he emphasised the strong international character of the Group and its involvement and representation in global networks and scientific boards. He also addressed the firm links achieved by DAISSy to relate the BIBLIO project with other ongoing EU projects under implementation (such as NICHE, T4SVEN, etc.), aiming to produce a net for the transfer of results and the enhancement of sustainability.

Then Ioanna SEFERLI, a Librarian, representing the Distance Library and Information Centre of the HOU (DLIC-HOU), delivered a speech about the activities of this unit. She presented the Centre’s e-services and pinpointed the extrovert nature of the DLIC operation in supporting both numerous initiatives of the Academic Libraries in Greece and projects carried out by the Schools and Research Groups of the HOU. In parallel, she explained the role of the DLIC of the HOU as the fundamental associate partner of the DAISSy Research Group for implementing the BIBLIO project in Greece.

The Project Manager of BIBLIO and Researcher of DAISSy-HOU, Fotini GATOMATI, took the floor and triggered the participants’ interest in the project’s content and its methodology. Through a brief presentation of all BIBLIO outputs and deliverables, she emphasised the demanding project concept, its solid European partnership, and its direct link with the needs and challenges of the modern library world. She showcased how two new job profiles emerged and presented the expected multiple roles of the Community Engagement and Communication-CECO and the Digital Transformation Facilitator-DIGY. She analysed the practical way that the BIBLIO project addressed the identified challenges and provided tools that benefited the personal development of the library professionals. She also emphasised the recognition of the importance of BIBLIO in the context of the project’s joint networking action with the European Parliament, which was hosted by Mr Marc Angel, Luxembourg MEP (on 28^th March 2023 at his office in Brussels) and succeeded in presenting to the representatives of the European Parliament, both the results of the BIBLIO project and the policy recommendations regarding the new roles of the Library community in the digital era.

Then, Leonidas PAPACHRISTOPOULOS, Librarian at DLIC-HOU, presented the BIBLIO Massive Open Online Course-MOOC in detail, emphasising how it is linked with the tasks of the new job role profiles of the CECO and the DIGY so that to address them effectively. All BIBLIO MOOC modules were briefly described, including the timetable, study effort and benefits. Leonidas also referred to the multi-dimensional content of the BIBLIO blended training course training program by explaining that the MOOC is part of the modular training programme, which included the Specialization Courses and the pilot learning actions in the Libraries’ workplace (Work-Based Learning). Given his role as a trainer, he described the interest of the library professionals who participated in the training activities and the undeniably positive impact of this activity on their professional development.

The last speech of the event was delivered by Prof Maria Hatzinikolaou, a Professor of HOU and the Deputy Scientific Coordinator of the BIBLIO project in Greece. She referred to the digital transformation of libraries and the role lifelong learning plays in developing the modern skills of professionals in the field. Given the transition from a book-centric role to the technological trends of machine learning and digital literacy, the speaker emphasised the relationship achieved among the DAISSy Research Group and the DLIC-HOU towards the promotion and the exploitation of both the BIBLIO MOOC and the rest of the project deliverables.

The speeches concluded with a video showing the experience of Library professionals based on their participation in BIBLIO and describing the project’s impact on their professional development and the management of the current challenges of the Library sector.

A brief but vivid discussion took place at the end of the event through the participants’ exchange of questions-answers, comments and interventions. More precisely, they acknowledged the current role of the Library, the need for the digital autonomy of the library professionals and the new skills for coping with the challenges of serving their library users through a holistic approach, they made positive remarks on the BIBLIO deliverables and its strong impact, and they expressed their interest in a new second phase and continuation.

The national multiplier event for promoting the BIBLIO results was organised in Greek, with no participation fees, and the participants received certificates of attendance.

The DAISSy Research Group of the Hellenic Open University (HOU), Coordinator of the event, is thankful to all organisations that supported the event (especially the DLIC-HOU being the associate partner), as well as the speakers, the experts and every participant for their contribution to the success of the organisation.