[ June 22, 2022 by admin 0 Comments ]

What happens after Occupy Library 2022?

Occupy Library 2022 has just passed, but innovation has no boundaries.

The two days of formative/funky/fab content about sustainability have reached an end, but our desire to change the local communities, and to share and learn best practices with innovators from all around the world continues.

What Happens Next?

Attendee or Speaker Certifications

If you were a virtual or in-person attendee or speaker, please check your email (even the SPAM folder) to search for your certificate.

 

Tell Us Your Opinion About The Conference!

If you have been a virtual or in-person attendee or speaker, let us know your opinion about Occupy Library 2022, by filling this online form: https://forms.gle/ykyNuQrC2dmWprR19

Join the Occupy Library Innovators' Hub!

Join the Occupy Library Innovators’ Hub  Facebook Group and make your story echo louder! This group is created for the change-makers from all over the world, a virtual safe space where you can share & learn inspiring stories about the development of local communities.

Enter here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/occupylibraryhub/

Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook!

Stay in touch with us, and follow us on

Uncategorized
[ February 26, 2022 by admin 0 Comments ]

Occupy Library stands by Ukraine!

Dear friends, library professionals, partners and citizens of the world,

Our organization is watching with great concern the situation that continues to deteriorate in Ukraine. We must say that, at the beginning of our journey, when we first started to collaborate with libraries, CSOs, and other types of organizations that are neighboring us, in the Eastern Europe area, we had not foreseen this situation taking place. No one was prepared for this disruptive change and we can not even imagine what our friends from Ukraine are going through. Nonetheless, we stand by Ukraine and we are looking for ways to offer our support to its local communities and citizens!

 

Progress Foundation Romania believes that public libraries are at the heart of the local communities and our mission is to encourage and support them in becoming hubs of active citizenship. In times like this, when democracy is at risk, we are asking you dear partners, library and CSOs professionals, to stay safe and united, to encourage only the spread of information from reliable sources and to support, by your own means, our friends from Ukraine!

 

If you are open to offer your support, please see below a list of organizations where you can donate or help Ukraine:

 

If you are looking for accurate information about the situation, directly from Ukraine, please visit:

Conference
[ November 10, 2021 by admin 0 Comments ]

Come Join Us at Occupy Library 2022 : The E+Libraries On The Rise !

Join Occupy Library – The E+Libraries On The Rise! on the 2nd and 3rd of June 2022!

Get Your Ticket Now!

Get ready for two days of content about empowerment, ecology, environment & economics. All in an E+Library extravaganza that will elevate your excitement and bring some well-deserved euphoria!

 

Occupy Library 2022 will be a hybrid experience. You can join us LIVE, in Bucharest, or relax at home and attend remotely from the platform Hopin.com.

Types Of Tickets – Attendees

As an attendee, you have the option to join the conference online, by getting a Virtual Ticket, or you can travel to Bucharest in order to meet other innovators LIVE, at the Goethe-Institut Bukarest by getting the Offline Ticket or The Premium Offline Ticket.

 

1. The Virtual Ticket

With the Virtual Ticket you can watch for FREE most of the content from Bucharest, LIVE from Goethe-Institut Bukarest, as well as the online content, created by our Speakers from all around the globe!

  • Can attend the event from anywhere in the world
  • Can access only the content from the online event (will include online sessions and some offline sessions)*
  • Needs a Hopin.com account
  • Needs good internet connection & a laptop/ PC
  • Free

*Without the Premium Content Package, that can be achieved separately. Stay tuned to discover more!

2. The Offline Ticket

With the Offline Ticket you can participate LIVE at the offline event in Bucharest, that will take place at Goethe-Institut Bukarest. You will also have access to all the online content from Hopin.com

  • Access to the live event in Bucharest, Romania
  • Can access the online & the offline content of the event
  • Premium Content Package included
  • Live Matchmaking Cafe – access to networking with other innovators
  • Coffee & lunch break included
  • E+Goody-Bags included
  • Opportunity to discover Bucharest
  • Having our support for all the travelling process
  • Needs to secure accommodation & transport
  • Full Price 175€ 

 

 

 

2. The Premium Offline Ticket

With the Offline Ticket you can participate LIVE at the offline event in Bucharest, that will take place at Goethe-Institut Bukarest. and you will have the opportunity to network and be inspired by all the innovation present at the Fab & Funky Festive Dinner.

  • Access to the live event in Bucharest, Romania
  • Access to the Fab & Funky Festive Dinner
  • Can access the online & the offline content of the event
  • Premium Content Package included
  • Live Matchmaking Cafe – access to networking with other innovators
  • Coffee & lunch break included
  • E+Goody-Bags included
  • Opportunity to discover Bucharest
  • Having our support for all the travelling process
  • Needs to secure accommodation & transport
  • Full Price 220€ 

 

 

 

After completing the form, please pay your ticket prices (and take into consideration international bank fees) using the details below.

 

Types Of Tickets – Speakers

 

To be a speaker for Occupy Library 2022 means that your position as a contributor for the conference was confirmed by us on email. Please keep in touch with us at occupylibrary@progressfoundation.ro, and follow the instructions that we have sent you by email.

 

Each speaker of the sessions must get one ticket for Occupy Library 2022:

  • if you are a confirmed online speaker, please get your virtual ticket
  • if you are a confirmed offline speaker, please opt for one of the two offline tickets and follow the instructions here.

Occupy Library 2022

The E+Libraries On The Rise!

Libraries can have a leading role on the path to sustainability, that’s why we will label them E+Libraries. E+ stems mainly from a new ECOLOGY of life, where less is consumed and more is shared. Libraries play a very important role in shaping more sustainable and responsible societies, not only by educating people, but also by becoming centers for testing new economic models, innovation and technology. We will welcome a great variety of contributions which showcase the endeavor of libraries for promoting circular economy and sustainable communities.

The main themes of Occupy Library 2022 – The E+Libraries On The Rise are:
  • Engaging community in rethinking, repurposing and remanufacturing, recycling
  • Empowerment for repair, reuse and recover
  • Educating for a sustainable Planet

Occupy Library ® is an independent event organized by the Progress Foundation with the support of Next Library® and in co-operation with the Occupy Library Steering committee,  in partnership with Goethe-Institut Bukarest, conference partners and sponsors.

For any additional inquiries please contact occupylibrary@progressfoundation.ro
We reserve the right to alterations & surprises!

 

Conference
[ June 3, 2021 by admin 0 Comments ]

Occupy Library 2022 – The E+Libraries On The Rise!

In June 2022 we invite you to Bucharest to the second edition of the Occupy Library Conference: Occupy Library 2022 – The E+Libraries On The Rise!

 

Libraries can have a leading role on the path to sustainability, that’s why we will label them E+Libraries.

E+ stems mainly from a new ECOLOGY of life, where less is consumed and more is shared. Libraries play a very important role in shaping more sustainable and responsible societies, not only by educating people, but also by becoming centers for testing new economic models, innovation and technology.

In 2022 we expect you to Occupy Libraries with concepts like: environment, equity, engagement, empowerment, empathy, entertainment, economics. All in an E+Library extravaganza that will elevate your excitement and bring some well-deserved euphoria.

We will welcome a great variety of contributions which showcase the endeavor of libraries for promoting circular economy and sustainable communities.

 

Follow us for news on: www.occupylibrary.net

Conference
[ May 28, 2021 by admin 0 Comments ]

Next Library Festival is here!

Next week we’ll join the incredible community of innovators who’ll celebrate life and libraries at the Next Library Festival 


Next Library Festival 2021 will be a free online event, with an unique mix of keynotessessionstalks, social events and surprises! 

It will run 24 hours on June 3 starting at 8 am (UTC+2) following the sun around the planet to the next morning 8 am (UTC+2)

Keynotes

 

Book your free ticket now!

We look forward to meeting you there and and to have fun with all of you!

 

[ April 21, 2021 by admin 0 Comments ]

The Bag with 2 Books (Punguța cu 2 cărți)

OvidiuRo Association

„Ion Creangă” National Children’s Library

Kaufland Romania

Progress Foundation Romania

Why?

In Romania, the dropout rate is 26.6% in rural areas and 18.1% in total, compared to an average of 10.6% in the European Union, and places penultimate in the PISA tests in 2018. In order to be economically competitive, at the level of the 21st century, Romania must improve the school performance of children. Literacy has proven to be the clearest predictor of school success, and early education the most effective investment.

In poor communities, children do not have access to age-appropriate books, already experiencing an educational gap, even before starting kindergarten or school. Combining the training of teachers and parents, quality educational resources and a network of teachers, leads to very good results in terms of the level of preparation of children to start primary school.

The COVID-19 pandemic has added another obstacle to children from disadvantaged backgrounds, where access to online learning is non-existent or limited and has widened the educational gap.

What?

The “two-book bag” offers parents from disadvantaged communities illustrated books for home, encouraging them to read to their children.

The pilot project, funded by Kaufland and implemented since 2019, was designed to educate poor parents on the benefits of reading with their little ones. Over 60 kindergarten teachers from Vrancea and Neamț counties participated in two training sessions and then organized in turn reading sessions for parents and young children in their kindergartens. Each participating teacher received a trainer kit and, on average, 5 “Two-bag bag” kits to offer to parents.

Volunteers (librarians, educators, teachers, social workers etc.) organized reading sessions with 1-2 years old children and their parents. After reading sessions, each child receives a bag with two picture books and a small toy suitable for this age category. Volunteers talk to parents about the advantages of reading aloud activities with children from the yearly age, encouraging them to read to children.

As a result of the project,  475 children together with parents have participated at reading sessions and have got picture books to take home; about 600 books donated to families from disadvantaged communities and 375 books were planned to be donated in February 2021. The project involved 100 volunteers (librarians) from 100 localitie, with more than 100 reading sessions organized.

Volunteers have been trained by OvidiuRo Association and „Ion Creangă” National Children’s Library on how to organize reading aloud sessions with small kids.

Parents have been told by the volunteers about the advantages of reading aloud to children from the early age and encouraged to read to children.

At the second reading of the book “From head to toe”, children had already begun to imitate the movements of animals. Parents showed interest and openness during the meetings; the atmosphere was relaxing, pleasant, constructive. We definitely produced some changes in the relationship with the children. Thanks for the opportunity! ” Mariana Vrabie, preschool teacher, Bălan Kindergarten, Harghita

Curious to learn more?

Check out the Best practices in the Black Sea region by @Occupy Library Innovation HUB map, and find more inspiring stories from the region!

You have a great story?

Here's how you can put in on the map! @ Best practices in the Black Sea region by @Occupy Library Innovation HUB

Fill in the form and we’ll make sure your voice is heard by the community and beyond!

[ April 14, 2021 by admin 0 Comments ]

Creation of the environmental space in the library

Charitable organization ‘Library country’

Kyiv Public Library for Children

Why?

Environmental protection projects are poorly developed in the libraries of Ukraine. There was a free premises in the Kyiv public library and the desire of librarians to start an educational project on nature protection. Together with the Charity “Library country” the joint project was established.

Why?
The Library together with Charity Foundation “Library Country” started to implement the project “Green Library” in the beginning of 2019.  The aim of the project was to create an eco-friendly space for sustainable issues education for families.
What Has Already Been Done:
  • A fundraising campaign was launched on the community platform https://biggggidea.com/project/zelena-biblioteka/ and 1000 USD were already collected for purchasing the furniture
  • Books on environmental topics were purchased thanks to the philanthropists
  • Educational activities on environmental issues are carried out on the regular basis
  • Partnerships with environmental initiatives have been established, and the library functions as a free platform for meetings, discussions, events
The New Space Will Include:
  • Creative eco-design (natural colors, natural materials)
  • Decor elements from recycled materials
  • A selection of books and e-media on environmental topics 
  • Thematic educational program
  • Collaboration with eco-activists and initiatives

So what?

The Library is modern and active, well-known in the community and seeks to develop and deliver new services. Renovation & new design is almost done, and the space will be visually attractive and original and become the place of gravity for children, parents, eco-activists.

The local community is well aware of the project and is actively involved. The educational activities on environmental issues are carried out on a regular basis. The project is a pilote for Kyiv city and seen as the model for other libraries.

Curious to learn more?

Check out the Best practices in the Black Sea region by @Occupy Library Innovation HUB map, and find more inspiring stories from the region!

You have a great story?

Here's how you can put in on the map! @ Best practices in the Black Sea region by @Occupy Library Innovation HUB

Fill in the form and we’ll make sure your voice is heard by the community and beyond!

[ April 7, 2021 by admin 0 Comments ]

Pietrari Local Library helps the community get back into shape

Pietrari Public Library

Kilostop București

Why?

In Pietrari, a village of about 3,000 people, inactive lifestyles, poor diet and lack of information about nutrition resulted in over 25% of the population being overweight. Concerned librarians at Pietrari Local Public Library decided to help the community get back in shape.

What?

Librarians are using technology to confront obesity in their community head on – and the kilos are rolling away as library users now regularly work out in the reading room. Be Fit Not Fat was launched in October 2012. Outreach through schools drew an enthusiastic response: 180 people attended exercise classes in the library, using Wii fitness consoles, and 43 seriously overweight teenagers and mothers joined an intensive programme. To make sure weight loss is lasting and safe, the library works closely with fitness specialists, doctors and nutritionists.

So what?

Be Fit Not Fat combines action with interaction. During physical exercise classes in the library, participants use a  Wii Fit Plus console. This is a video gaming console programmed for fitness training. The console transmits a moving image of a fitness trainer to a television screen. Exercisers then create their own exercise program by using a remote control device to manipulate the image of the trainer.

Participants in the intensive fitness and nutrition program have created a Facebook page and a lively blog, for sharing experiences, giving encouragement and celebrating weight loss. Using library computers, they consult nutritionists in the capital city, Bucharest, many kilometers away, via the online communication tool, Skype.

I look different, feel different, and my husband and child appreciate the difference! Without Pietrari Local Public Library I would not have succeeded! Ileana Nitu, 22 kilograms healthier

Curious to learn more?

Check out the Best practices in the Black Sea region by @Occupy Library Innovation HUB map, and find more inspiring stories from the region!

You have a great story?

Here's how you can put in on the map! @ Best practices in the Black Sea region by @Occupy Library Innovation HUB

Fill in the form and we’ll make sure your voice is heard by the community and beyond!

[ April 1, 2021 by admin 0 Comments ]

Let’s join Voices of Next Library!

Do you also miss the Next Library Community? And do you miss getting inspiration and insights for your library work? 

Let’s join the Voices of Next Library!

When? From April 12-16 

Where: Online on this www.nextlibrary.net, Twitter, Facebook and other social channels

How to participate?: You can: 

 

We look forward to meeting you there and and to have fun with all of you!

[ March 31, 2021 by admin 0 Comments ]

Multicultural connections – united society

Multifunctional Center for Education, Information, Culture Public Association

Public Regional Library ”Vasile Alecsandri” Telenești

Why?

Encouraging multicultural dialogue in the spirit of European democratic values between 5 districts of Moldova Telenești, Comrat, Taraclia, Soroca, Rascani, harmonization of interethnic coexistence: Moldovan, Ukrainian, Gagauz, Bulgarian, Roma, and Russian.

As part of this project, 43 offline workshops,  7 online regional conferences, 5 virtual visits in Taraclia, Telenesti, Comrat, Riscani, Soroca, and 5 online regional festivals were organized, involving 25 partners and 1300 beneficiaries

What?

The objectives of the project were:

  • Favoring a context of knowledge of ethnic groups in the Republic of Moldova, through the values and policies of the European Union in the field of multiculturalism, multiethnicity, inclusion, minority rights, for at least 500 people, especially adolescents and young people from five districts during 2019-2020.
  • Increasing the degree of involvement of community members in promoting the common values shared by the cohabiting ethnic groups in Comrat, Taraclia, Telenesti, Soroca, Riscani districts;
  • Interethnic consolidation by increasing the visibility of the specifics and cultural similarities of the ethnic communities in the districts connected in the project

So what?

The participants accumulated valuable knowledge, about multiculturalism, the cohabiting ethnic groups in the Republic of Moldova, and about the policies of the European Union. They also realized the importance of multiethnic solidarity, passed it through the soul and materialized it in their own creations, presented at the Festival “On a Branch of Words”, which took place in August and was entitled generic “Multiethnic Moldova – we choose to live in harmony”.

Participating in the project made me understand and appreciate the Roma, whom I did not have very close to my soul. Now I have a Roma colleague, whom I received at work and I am very happy with.

The project reduced the social distance index by 3 units, as it raised the level of education, by familiarizing the beneficiaries with the multiple cultures in the country. Thus, the risk of conflicts, which regularly occur between ethnic groups and lead to violence that leads to destruction and damage, was reduced.

A Guide for the implementation of the library service “Multicultural Connections” was created, and it will serve as the basis for future replication in other regions. The continuity and sustainability of the project is also ensured by the generous book donation offered by the financiers for 5 public libraries and 10 social institutions: 5 Centers for children and 5 centers for the elderly.

Curious to learn more?

Check out the Best practices in the Black Sea region by @Occupy Library Innovation HUB map, and find more inspiring stories from the region!

You have a great story?

Here's how you can put in on the map! @ Best practices in the Black Sea region by @Occupy Library Innovation HUB

Fill in the form and we’ll make sure your voice is heard by the community and beyond!