The international project “Socially Responsible Library Network for Vulnerable Groups” (INCLUSIVE) has come to an end. The project was implemented from May 1, 2024, to April 30, 2026, but was extended for three months, until July 31, 2026, to allow the partners sufficient time to complete all planned activities and ensure the proper dissemination of the project results. The additional period enabled all project partners to successfully complete the planned activities and achieve the intended results.
The project was jointly implemented by Pasvalys Marius Katiliskis Public Library and NGO Learning Synergy in Lithuania, and Augšdaugava County Municipality and Jelgava Local Municipality in Latvia. During more than two years of cooperation, the partners worked to make libraries more open and accessible to different community groups, particularly seniors, people with disabilities, children from socially vulnerable families, and others in need of a safe and supportive environment.
During the final implementation period, the partners completed the remaining sensory reading activities, training sessions and other planned activities. The project was concluded with a final conference attended by partners and guests from Pasvalys, Augšdaugava and Jelgava municipalities, including library specialists, municipal representatives, community members and representatives of other organisations. The conference provided an important opportunity to summarise the two years of project implementation, present the results achieved and activities carried out, share experience, and discuss opportunities for continued cooperation between libraries in Lithuania and Latvia.
Throughout the project, sensory reading rooms were established, a mobile sensory library – the Bibliobus – was created, and sensory reading activities, digital literacy training, emotional well-being activities, professional training, supervisions and international experience exchanges were organised. Methodological materials, practical sensory reading scenarios, audio and video recordings, as well as the virtual methodological platform InclusiveLibraries.eu, were also developed. The platform will remain available to librarians and other cultural and educational professionals.
An important project result is the continuity of the services created. The sensory reading rooms will continue operating as free library services, while the Bibliobus will continue visiting communities in the Pasvalys district and participating in community events. The project partners also plan to continue their professional cooperation, share experience, implement joint activities and explore new opportunities to develop inclusive library services.
The project demonstrated that its greatest value lies not only in the activities implemented or results created, but also in the partnerships established, knowledge shared, professional competences strengthened, and new opportunities created for people to learn, communicate, develop their skills and participate more actively in community life.
We sincerely thank everyone who was part of this journey – project partners, library specialists, trainers, experts, participants, community members and everyone who contributed to the implementation of INCLUSIVE. Your professionalism, ideas and cooperation made it possible to achieve results that will continue to benefit local communities.
Although the project has officially come to an end, the solutions, methodological resources, experience and partnerships created during the project will continue to live on. INCLUSIVE has demonstrated that a library can be much more than a place for books and knowledge – it can also be a space for community, emotional well-being and inclusion, where everyone can feel welcome and have an opportunity to participate.
