The Santa Maria da Feira Municipal Library hosted a visit from librarians representing 16 European countries. This initiative was part of the “International Peer Learning Cycle – Libraries, Democracy and European Values” meeting, held on October 6th and 7th in Porto.
During the visit, which took place on the afternoon of October 6th, participants expressed surprise at the modern architectural lines and the well-preserved condition of the building, which is already 26 years old. They praised the wide range of services offered to various audiences and showed particular interest in the outreach projects covering the entire municipality.
Before exploring the library's different spaces, the librarians gathered in the workshop room for a "World Café" focused on Literacy and Democracy. This session proved highly productive, fostering the exchange of European best practices in the field.
The event was organized by the European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA), in partnership with the European Federation of Library Associations (ELAN), and was primarily held at the Centro Português de Fotografia.
The meeting's program also included a showcase of best practices from libraries across Europe and an engaging Active Citizenship Participation Game. The aim was to provide practical ideas that participants could adapt and implement in their own organizations.
This two-day international event brought together representatives from European library associations to discuss how libraries can strengthen democracy, promote European values, and encourage active citizenship. The meeting combined inspiring presentations, interactive workshops, and peer learning.
The 16 European countries represented were: Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Slovenia, Spain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and Serbia.
The Santa Maria da Feira Municipal Library was the sole Portuguese public library chosen by the organization for a specific thematic visit integrated into the program.
