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From 3 to 5 June, more than 220 librarians, community organisers, library project leaders, and cultural sector representatives from 60 libraries across Europe gathered at the modern Eastern Dock branch of the Amsterdam Public Library, renowned for its innovative architecture, for the event "Libraries at the Heart of Europe." 
The event was organised by the European Cultural Foundation and focused on how libraries support communities amid Europe's social, digital, and environmental transformations. Discussions highlighted projects that help readers create psychologically and physically healthy environments while also fostering professional development. At the centre of the event were participants in The Europe Challenge and Buddiesprograms. These two initiatives strengthen cooperation between libraries and communities, build trust, and encourage the development of practical solutions to shared challenges.

During the Europe Challenge exchange sessions, participants presented projects that addressed isolation and human trafficking, promoted environmental sustainability, developed digital skills, encouraged civic engagement, and strengthened community resilience. Participants from different countries and regions discovered that they face many of the same challenges, which led to active exchanges of experiences and ideas. Field visits to various Amsterdam neighbourhoods also introduced participants to initiatives that creatively respond to local community needs. 

Throughout the program, one key message was repeatedly emphasised: libraries are not merely places to access information; they are vital centres of community life where people can collaborate, share knowledge, and put democratic values into practice. Discussions on democracy, artificial intelligence, and civic participation, along with presentations related to the forthcoming report Empowering Europe Through Public Libraries, further demonstrated the growing recognition of libraries as essential social and civic infrastructure.
Representing the National Library of Georgia at the event was Maia Simonishvili, a representative of both the National Library and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). She is the author of the project "Raising Awareness of Artificial Intelligence for Librarians and Readers," which is featured in the program. The project includes webinars and informational meetings on artificial intelligence in regional libraries. It is being implemented with the support of the non-governmental organisation Academy of Education and International Development (Mariam Gamezardashvili). To date, meetings have already been held in the libraries of Telavi, Gori, and Tbilisi.
The European library program is supported by Arts Council England, Fondazione Cariplo, and the Scottish Library and Information Council. For three days, libraries were truly at the heart of Europe. The conversations that began in Amsterdam will continue through the communities, partnerships, and initiatives that participants carry back to their own countries and cities. As a gesture of goodwill, Maia Simonishvili presented publications of the National Library of Georgia to the Amsterdam Public Library.

Ridderhof Fotografie