The Erasmus 2024 Staff Training and Cooperation Week for Libraries was organised by Aix-Marseille Université in Marseille, on 17–21 June 2024.
Librarians from various universities across Europe and Africa came together and, through a series of presentations, discussions and working meetings, focused on how libraries could support the goals of the CIVIS Alliance in particular. NKUA was represented by Ms. Kiki Papadopoulou (Special Technical Laboratory Staff/Librarian) from the Library of the School of Philosophy, Ms. Maria Katsea (Librarian) from the Library of Law, and Ms. Eirini Lourdi (Librarian) from the Libraries' Computer Centre.
The purpose of these meetings was to bring together librarians from both CIVIS and non-CIVIS European universities, in order to identify points of connection and a common basis for cooperation.
What is particularly significant for academic ibraries is that the rapid growth of Information Science and the continuous evolution of digital technology present new questions and challenges. The need for new skills and staff training, the management of a new generation of students and users, and insufficient funding are just some of the challenges academic libraries face. Librarians are therefore called to redefine their role and the provided services, in order to respond as effectively as possible to their users’ needs.
This is also the reason as to why UX design now plays a primary role in redefining both the layout of [library] interior spaces and the services libraries offer their users today. By applying various research methods — questionnaires, mini-interviews, and others — librarians first map emerging trends and then observe user preferences. They then synthesise this information to introduce improvements and innovations within library spaces.
More specifically, interior spaces are being reshaped to serve not only individual study but also collaborative work among members of the academic community. Libraries are also making sure to include spaces where users can relax, for instance by listening to music. A wide variety of furniture and seating is provided so that users feel comfortable — furniture that is not only functional but also aesthetically refined. The same applies to enclosed spaces designed for various forms of collaboration and videoconferencing.
All of this became clearer through a series of presentations and guided tours. The presentations and discussions led by staff of Aix-Marseille Université, together with visiting participants, covered the following topics:
- Collections (ERD Gao, Collex, digitisation, rare materials)
- Information literacy and user education
- Institutional repositories and Open Science
- User services, innovation, UX design
- Communication (social media, websites, working groups, etc.)
- Culture and libraries
During the CIVIS Librarians meeting on 17/06, the groundwork was laid for: collaborative projects between libraries; organizing blended courses through CIVIS with the collaboration of at least two academic libraries; creating a shared calendar for online seminars; creating an informative website for librarians; drafting a CIVIS librarians' newsletter; creating a shared training platform for librarians; providing library services among members of CIVIS universities; maintaining contact through monthly videoconferences for the exchange of knowledge and experiences among librarians; and shared practices for managing library matters, among other initiatives.
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