NKUA Library at CIVIS Days 2026: Co-Designing the future of Academic Libraries
The NKUA’s Library and Information Centre (LIC) actively participated in the delegation representing NKUA at this year’s CIVIS Days, led by Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, International Relations and Extroversion, Professor Sofia Papaioannou.
The event took place on 10–12 June 2026 at the University of Bucharest, under the central theme “CIVIS is News” — a theme that marks a milestone for the Alliance’s Library network: the shift from traditional study spaces to the forefront of educational and social academic life.
The LIC was represented by Ms. Kyriaki (Kiki) Papadopoulou (LIC Branch Library of the School of Philosophy) and Ms. Maria Katsea (LIC Branch Library of the School of Law), who co-organised, together with representatives from Aix-Marseille Université and Sapienza Università di Roma, the central interactive session “CIVIS Libraries: From Silent Stacks to Headline Acts – Co-designing our Shared Future.” The session did not only highlight the network’s seven years (2019–2026) of organic maturation, but it also served as a bridge to the Alliance’s broader strategic priorities, as these emerged across a series of specialised sessions at the conference.
Libraries and Social Impact
The modern Academic Library is being redefined as a space of social responsibility. The sessions “Service-Learning Marketplace” and “Shaping the Future of Civic Engagement” explored how university resources can be converted into actionable pathways for engagement with society. Aligned with this direction was the presentation of the “Human Libraries” practice: through the fREADYourself project, implemented at Sapienza and AMU, Libraries are transformed into safe, inclusive spaces where “human books” share personal stories to challenge gender stereotypes. This perspective was further reinforced by the “Crossing the Bridge” session, which focused on Afro-European cooperation and highlighted the importance of inclusive knowledge management on a global scale.
Digital Transformation, Information & AI Literacy
The digital transformation of learning through new technologies, the development of Information and AI literacy skills, and the challenges that emerge, were highlighted in the hands-on session “Transforming and Innovating Learning Through Digital Tools.”
In that context, the NKUA LIC representatives shared their experience regarding the design and implementation of the Information & AI Literacy pillar of the official CIVIS Libraries Blended Intensive Programme, titled “Transformative Libraries and Participatory Culture”.
Participating in the Information & AI Literacy pillar offered valuable experience and contributed to the know-how on the AI field, which will prove valuable to the development of future courses and activities to promote AI literacy, according to the plan of the Library’s Directorate.
Co-Designing the Future: Real User Needs
The innovative character of this year’s participation was underscored by the team’s ability to respond with flexibility to the challenges of the programme’s flow, turning the workshop into a live co-design process. Through participatory flipcharts, students and researchers recorded their own needs: they asked for the preservation of quiet, traditional study spaces (“To Keep”), while at the same time calling for safe spaces, extended opening hours during the weekends, alternative collaboration zones, and designated areas for relaxation and reflection, modelled after progressive European examples (“To Create”).
With the dissemination of results completed by 10 July, the groundwork has been laid for the network’s next five-year strategy. In Bucharest, the NKUA LIC confirmed its’ role as an active member of the Alliance and its’ contribution to supporting the educational process, research, and international cooperation.
Useful Links
• NKUA Library and Information Centre
• CIVIS Days 2026: NKUA Strengthens its European Footprint in Bucharest
• CIVIS Days 2026 Bucharest
• CIVIS Days 2026 Programme
