Written by journalist Karen Løth Larsen for EPALE Denmark.

Today’s libraries should provide a diverse range of services, extending far beyond shelves lined with books. At Herning Library, Erasmus+ serves as a key source of inspiration and ideas for enhancing inclusion initiatives for users. And inspiration can often be found in the most unexpected places.

When asked about a particularly revelatory moment, Jeppe Kirketerp, project manager for Erasmus+ activities at Herning Library, recalls a visit to a McDonald's in the Netherlands. During an exchange visit, his colleagues visited a library in Amsterdam. They were keen to reach out to young users to provide digital assistance, so they set up a pop-up station at the local McDonald's in Amsterdam. The visit provided guests from Denmark with the opportunity to see how buying a burger could be combined with receiving qualified help for tasks such as handling taxes or navigating government websites. 

When Jeppe Kirketerp’s colleagues returned, Herning Library wasted no time in adapting the concept, creating a “Digipunkt”. However, they decided to set this service up in Herning library itself rather than in a fast-food restaurant.

Jeppe Kirketerp

.“This has now developed into a collaboration between the library and staff from Citizen Services, sometimes with the participation of representatives from Ældresagen (the DaneAge Association) . The Digipunkt is staffed by two employees and offers help with everyday digital challenges. Both young and old people turn up looking for assistance, whether it’s setting up MitID, creating an email account, navigating e-Boks, transferring photos or simply attaching a file to an email. What may seem straightforward to some can be incredibly difficult for others”, explains Jeppe Kirketerp.

More resources and opportunities

This focus on improving digital accessibility has been a cornerstone of the current Erasmus+ projects at Herning Library. Other objectives include the library’s strategic development and advancing international efforts in sustainability.

So far, 41 employees - some of them repeat participants - have been on seven mobility trips to partner libraries in the Netherlands, Finland, Iceland, Austria, Norway and Sweden. The library employs a total of 55 staff members and holds Erasmus+ accreditation until 2027.

Project manager Jeppe Kirketerp is enthusiastic about the opportunities Erasmus+ funding provides:

“It gives us completely different resources to send staff abroad, something we otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford. The more we work with Erasmus+, the larger our network becomes, both in Denmark and across Europe. At conferences, we meet other accredited libraries, and right now we’re exploring the idea of collaborating with other libraries in our region,” he says.

The days when a library could merely offer shelves of paperback books are a thing of the past. Digital development has brought both challenges and new tasks, making it essential to look beyond national borders:

“We need to be much more citizen-oriented and open to all kinds of new initiatives.

We also need to stay informed about global developments. These trips have been incredibly beneficial, providing us with valuable knowledge that we can implement in numerous ways,” says Jeppe Kirketerp.

He highlights a visit to Madrid as particularly inspiring, showcasing new roles a library can take on:

“They had established a citizen engagement platform where the library invited residents to participate in consultations and propose municipal projects. It was fascinating to see how they were able to get citizens involved. 250,000 participants in Madrid were actively using the platform,” says Jeppe Kirketerp.

Madrid - San Fermin Library

Travel diaries and knowledge sharing

Not all 55 staff members have been able to travel yet, as scheduling trips around busy workdays can be challenging. However, this doesn’t mean they gain nothing from the trips. Herning Library has implemented a systematic reporting approach to ensure that everyone can benefit from the Erasmus+ activities. They’ve implemented a travel diary system to facilitate knowledge sharing.

“Initially, we started with written reports, but we’ve now standardised the process. When staff members travel, they are required to upload photos and create posts for our intranet, allowing colleagues at home to follow the journey and see the outcomes of the trips,” explains Jeppe Kirketerp.

Although the process for applying for funding and organising projects may be complex, Jeppe believes it’s well worth the effort. He would definitely encourage others to dive in:

“Yes, it might seem daunting, but take the leap, there’s truly a wealth of opportunities waiting for you. There’s so much knowledge, so many great experiences and professional development opportunities just waiting to be tapped into. With the right effort and focus, you can accomplish a great deal. It requires energy and resources, especially at the start,  but there is plenty of help available, both from other accredited organisations and from the agency, who we often reach out to for assistance with various matters,” he says.

Does it benefit library users when staff occasionally travel or host European partners? Jeppe Kirketerp believes it does:

“We gain new skills, expand our knowledge, and receive fresh ideas on how to manage the library and improve offerings for users. This results in a more diverse and higher-quality library experience.  The fact that we develop and offer international activities also matters when it comes to attracting new employees. I imagine it’s something job applicants would take into account”.

What impact does it have internally in the workplace to have Erasmus+ as part of your everyday activities?

“When you travel, you spend time together in ways you wouldn’t usually, such as waiting at airports and sharing new experiences. It leads to great conversations and allows colleagues to see each other in a new light,” says Jeppe Kirketerp.

He intentionally mixes travel teams to include staff from different departments, who might otherwise only know each other casually from the lunchroom:

“This way, they have the opportunity to hear each other’s professional insights or observe a colleague explaining their work to someone in Finland, Norway or elsewhere. This can be incredibly valuable when they return to tackle projects or new tasks. It significantly strengthens workplace collaboration,” he explains.

Member of staff in Helsinki

The importance of structure and networking

When asked for advice for organisations looking to get started with Erasmus+, Jeppe’s suggestions unsurprisingly centre on structure - a cornerstone of library work:

“We librarians love that kind of thing. We’re probably a little bit nerdy,” he laughs, adding:

“I’d recommend creating a robust system to manage the practical aspects. We’ve developed scripts, guides and contract templates. Certainly, a structured approach to sharing the knowledge we gain is essential,” he says.

It requires some effort, but once it's done, it's all so much easier,” says Jeppe Kirketerp. He is eager to share Herning Library’s experiences more widely:

“We’re considering creating a network with other libraries in the region. Some are in the process of gaining accreditation, while others have been accredited for a while.  Networking seems like an obvious next step,” he concludes.