The German library network is highly developed, however, it remains relatively unknown here in North America. Innovation is at the center of its preoccupations, be it in technology, services or library architecture. In May 2016, a group of students from the Université de Montréal’s MLIS program as well as library professionals, visited some twenty institutions in several German cities. Then traveled to Prague to discover its magnificent heritage libraries, and concluded the tour in Strasbourg, a European capital close to the German border, where we visited two striking examples of library architecture.
In this session, I will present a report from this trip, complete with images and vivid examples of the ways in which European libraries promote and support wellbeing in their communities, be it by connecting the people, by supporting their physical wellbeing or lifelong learning. Some fresh and innovative ideas would emerge and no doubt be of interest to the libraries in our Atlantic region.
