Strengthening Europe through public libraries

A new report is:
OMC Group on the Role of Libraries. (2026). Strengthening Europe through public libraries: How sustained investment in public libraries and their multiple roles delivers social, cultural and democratic returns. European Union. https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2766/1906144
"The OMC Group brought together 36 experts from 25 EU Member States, with input from non-EU countries including Georgia, Iceland, Moldova, Norway, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Kingdom." It includes summaries of national policy & strategy related to public libraries in the countries, and examples of "best practice". The Group emphasises "that it is vital for public libraries to be recognised by the EU, Member States and regional and local governments as essential services for which free access must be guaranteed. This right of access should be grounded in the European Pillar of Social Rights" and also that public libraries need to be supported by national policy.
A quick search showed that information literacy, or media and information literacy, was mentioned in a few of the national policy summaries (Lithuania, Slovenia, Latvia and Spain) and in some best practice examples. OMC= Open Method of Coordination, by the way.
A public library makerspace: Credit: Beth Filar Williams (2023, September 22) Rotterdam public library. https://flic.kr/p/2p4CyYY