Maria Aslanidi, special teaching personnel, Dept. of Audio & Visual Arts, at the first annual IFLA Europe Regional Division Committee Symposium to Explore Library Advocacy Across Europe, 25.9.2026

Maria Aslanidi, special teaching personnel at the Dept. of Audio & Visual Arts, is participating at the first annual IFLA Europe Regional Division Committee Symposium to Explore Library Advocacy Across Europe, 25.9.2026.

Presentation title: 'Libraries speak. Are we listening?'

The IFLA Europe Regional Division Committee (EURDC) will hold its Mid-Term Meeting Symposium on 25 September 2026 at the Library and Information Center of the University of Piraeus, Greece. The event will bring together library leaders, advocates, researchers and practitioners to discuss how library advocacy can be strengthened and better coordinated across Europe.

The symposium will focus on two key questions: how advocacy strategies are developed at the European level and how these priorities are translated into action through national initiatives, campaigns and research libraries.

European perspectives on library advocacy

The first panel, European Library Advocacy: Strategies & Perspectives, will examine current advocacy priorities affecting libraries across the continent. Discussions will address topics ranging from copyright and access to knowledge to digital lending and the role of libraries in an evolving information landscape.

Speakers include:

• Nick Boxem, Chair of the IFLA Europe Regional Division Committee
• Spaska Tarandova, Global Libraries Bulgaria
• Stephen Wyber, IFLA KR21 Programme Lead and Management Committee member
• Andrew Cranfield, European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA)

The session will be moderated by Anthi Katsirikou (AGLIS).

Sharing national experiences and local action

The second panel, National Initiatives, Campaigns and Research Libraries, will highlight how advocacy efforts are being implemented at national and institutional levels. Participants will present experiences from different countries and library sectors, including ongoing work linked to the KR21 Let Libraries Be Libraries campaign.

Speakers include:

• Maarten Zeinstra, KR21 National Coordinator for the Netherlands
• Georgios Glossiotis, KR21 National Coordinator for Greece and Cyprus
• Giannis Tsakonas, LIBER
• Maria Aslanidi, Ionian University
• Aris Bazmadelis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
• Panagiotis Themistocleous, Open University of Cyprus

The panel will be moderated by Mina Charalambous of the University of Nicosia.

Strengthening a common European voice

Advocacy remains a central priority for libraries across Europe. By bringing together representatives from international organisations, national campaigns and academic institutions, the symposium aims to encourage dialogue, share good practice and strengthen cooperation across the European library community.

The event is hosted by the Library and Information Center of the University of Piraeus and is open to library and information professionals interested in European advocacy developments.

Registration: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=KIPc-mEQ7kel7bQyXDVrmrqz2upMwsxBpUU8s7-gUHBUMkZCTk1SQURDUElNQ1VEOExOUThPSDhGOCQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl

Program: https://www.eebep.gr/category/nea/

((Warm thanks to the members of the Dept. of Audio & Visual Arts “LiteRArt” Club for their contribution to the selection of the title of the presentation)