How can libraries build a sense of security in local communities? This was the theme of the 16th Library Congress, organized by the Information Society Development Foundation, which took place on November 18-19, 2025, at the Copernicus Science Center in Warsaw.
The event was attended by over 200 librarians from all over Poland, who, together with experts from various fields, discussed, the role of libraries in building social resilience and how to build safer communities and library teams, among other things.
The congress was opened by Joanna Lempart, Program Director of Polish-American Freedom Foundation, and Jacek Królikowski, President of the Information Society Development Foundation. Joanna Lempart emphasized that the Library Development Program has given library workers the space to operate in difficult conditions and changing circumstances, such as the pandemic or helping refugees from Ukraine.
“Libraries are also involved in activities to protect the environment and climate and to counteract disinformation, because they are ideal places to build social resilience,” Joanna Lempart pointed out.
Jacek Królikowski echoed her sentiments. “When people feel safe in the library, it is easier to plan various activities for the local community, because we are all responsible for this,” he said.
The plenary session began with the Local Response To Global Security Challenges debate, moderated by Maciej Makulski of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, with the participation of Dr. Paulina Piasecka of the Center for Terrorism Research at Civitas University, Senior Brigadier Dr. Izabella Grabowska-Lepczak of the Department of Social Sciences at the Fire Service Academy, and Robert Klonowski of the Department of Civil Protection and Crisis Management at the Ministry of the Interior and Administration.
Among other things, the discussion touched upon the importance of a security model involving institutions at all levels, including the local level, and the role of libraries, using Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia as examples. The discussion emphasized the importance of proper communication about threats, which mobilizes people to act.
This was followed by a screening of the “Djakuju” movie about the help provided by the community of Hrubieszów to refugees from Ukraine in the first days of the war in Ukraine, which began with Russian full-scale aggression in February 2022.
The second panel discussion, “Libraries And Local Governments In Times Of Crisis”, was devoted to the actions taken by libraries in the face of the pandemic, the refugee crisis, and flooding. Filip Jędruch, a radio journalist associated with the “Sector 3.0” program, welcomed the following guests: Jerzy Woźniakiewicz from the Provincial Public Library in Krakow, Marta Majewska, Mayor of Hrubieszów, and Jarosław Rudnicki from the Cultural Center and Library in Bardo.
The Library Congress was an opportunity to award scholarships in the Olga Rok Competition for librarians who inspire others to act and implement innovative educational and cultural projects that go beyond the standard scope of library activities.
In this year’s edition of the competition, in the Smaller Library category, the prize went to Jolanta Janiec of the Municipal Public Library and Krystyna and Stefan Du Chateau Heritage Center in Hrubieszów for implementing long-term initiatives in the library that build the library’s brand as a place of exceptional social value.
In the Larger Library category, the prize went to Dorota Kowalczyk of Dr. Witold Bełza Provincial and Municipal Public Library in Bydgoszcz, who, in cooperation with the social communication office of the City of Bydgoszcz, implements a year-round educational and ecological program involving thousands of residents.
Also, four honorable mentions were awarded: to Anna Jach of Mikołaj Rej Public Library in Oleśnica, Małgorzata Kaczmarek of the Municipal and District Public Library in Nowy Tomyśl, Agata Szyszka-Mądro of Ambroży Grabowski Municipal Public Library in Kęty, and Aurelia Wojtalewicz of the Provincial Public Library – Copernicus Library – Media Library in Młyny.
The afternoon part of the congress and the entire next day were filled with workshop sessions conducted by experts and aimed at strengthening the knowledge and competences of library staff in the area of building social resilience. The topics included anti-stress workshops, mindfulness practices, building a culture of trust, development and safety in a team, library accessibility and inclusiveness, as well as cybersecurity, crisis management, and civil defense.
The Library Congress is a project carried out periodically by the Information Society Development Foundation as part of the Library Development Program. The program supports thousands of public libraries throughout Poland in fulfilling their role as local centers of social activity. The program supports thousands of public libraries throughout Poland in fulfilling their role as local centers of social activity. It is an undertaking of Polish-American Freedom Foundation, managed by the Information Society Development Foundation. Between 2009 and 2015, it was implemented in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
