Inovativna mednarodna knjižnična ustvarjalnost

<< Background >>All three partner institutions identified a shared challenge: a noticeable decline in young people's interest in visiting libraries and reading books. Both school and public libraries are seeing that adolescents, particularly after completing primary school, are less likely to borrow library materials and spend less time in the library. Traditional approaches to library activities are no longer effective in engaging young people in today’s digital world.In addition, we identified several other needs:A lack of innovative and interactive programs that would present the library to young people as a space for creativity, social connection, and self-expression;Insufficient use of digital tools to promote reading, such as book trailers and gamification of library content;Poorly adapted and under-equipped library spaces for youth, with limited or no areas for relaxed reading, working, or socialising;Inadequate inclusion of students with fewer opportunities, immigrants, and migrants in regular library activities;Limited opportunities for international cooperation, exchange of practices, and co-creation of new approaches, especially in the field of language preservation and cultural identity.<< Objectives >>With the project Innovative International Library Creativity, we aimed to achieve — and successfully did achieve — the following main goals:To increase young people's interest in visiting libraries, both school and public and to strengthen their motivation to read.To develop and test new, innovative programs that present the library to young people as a space for creativity, exploration, digital expression, and social connection.To digitally enhance and further equip library activities and spaces.To create inclusive library content accessible to students with fewer opportunities, underage migrants, and children from a Ukrainian orphanage, enabling them to preserve their mother tongue and cultural identity.To strengthen international cooperation, networking, and the exchange of good practices between libraries and schools, especially with Slovene communities in Italy.To establish a sustainable working model that libraries can incorporate into their annual work plans even after the project ends — including the creation of a handbook featuring the developed innovative practices.<< Implementation >>The following activities were carried out:Creative writing workshopsLiterary workshops and reading clubs (analysis of youth literature, book discussions)Art workshops (illustrations of poems, book cover design)Haiku poetry creation and preparation of the Dotiki publicationTraveling exhibition of literary and artistic student worksEvents such as Night of the Book, Living Library, Escape Room in the Library, etc.Three student mobilities (meetings with authors and creators) and the organization of an international eventBook trailer workshop for students and production of book trailersUse of digital tools, such as Canva, 1KA survey tool, Google Drive, Zoom, and video editing with CapCutSetting up reading corners and social spaces in all three libraries (purchase of tables, armchairs, interactive games, educational materials, and exhibition stands)Acquisition of books in Slovene and foreign languages (Ukrainian, etc.)Purchase of library materials in the mother tongues of young immigrantsStorytelling and reading sessions for children from a Ukrainian orphanageDissemination and promotion of results, implementation of surveys, integration into annual work plans (AWPs), and ongoing reflection.<< Results >>A handbook published in three languages (Slovenian, English, Italian) for libraries, titled Examples of Innovative Approaches to Increase Young People's Interest in Visiting Libraries. It includes six examples of good practice featuring developed innovative programs and workshops, along with guidelines for implementation. The programs proved to be successful and will be integrated into the libraries’ annual work plans.The literary-artistic publication Dotiki and a exhibition.A collection of creative contributions by students, including poetry (e.g.haiku), artwork, and reflections on youth perspectives. It stems from the activities of the Reading Club and visual expression workshops. The publication promotes youth creativity and reading culture.A set of booktrailers:Short video clips that present selected books in an engaging, digital format, encouraging reading among young people in a visual and appealing way.Renovation of library spaces for youth:Reading corners and more inviting spaces for relaxed learning and social interaction were created. New equipment was purchased (bean bags, tables, games, etc.).Inclusion of immigrants and multilingual content: acquisition of international literature and storytelling sessions.