BYBLIOS Project Dissemination Event in Germany: Strengthening Inclusive Libraries

The BYBLIOS project—an Erasmus+ 24-month Cooperation Partnership dedicated to transforming school libraries into inclusive spaces for lifelong learning and professional development for people with disabilities—recently held a major dissemination event in Germany.

Organised in cooperation with weltgewandt e.V. near Berlin, the event brought together a diverse group of participants including experts from the Berlin government, academic representatives from a German university, local stakeholders, interns, and professionals active in the field of library services and inclusion.

The key aim of the meeting was to share the project’s goals, outputs, and findings with a German audience. Participants engaged in discussions about the evolving role of libraries as inclusive community hubs that support not only reading and cultural participation but also career development and employability for people with intellectual disabilities.

Central to the event was the presentation of the Byblios inclusive internship model, developed through collaborative research and piloting activities across partner countries, including Germany. This model was created to support the professional inclusion of people with cognitive disabilities into library work, highlighting how adapted roles, structured guidance and targeted learning pathways can foster autonomy and participation. Weltgewandt

The event featured contributions from policy makers, university researchers, civil society actors and front-line library practitioners, creating a space for dialogue on enhancing inclusion strategies within German libraries. Interns who had taken part in Byblios activities also shared their experiences, offering valuable firsthand perspectives on the impact of inclusive internships and the opportunities they create.

Organisers underscored the importance of strengthening networks across countries to promote inclusive practices in libraries and to build a shared vision for the future of library services that respond to social change and diversity.

This dissemination event in Germany marked a key milestone for Byblios, helping to increase awareness of the project’s outcomes and to generate new momentum for inclusive library practice locally and beyond.