The Inclusive Library Internships have officially started! Across five countries, we are creating career opportunities for people with disabilities through 10 internships, librarian training, and an e-portfolio. Expert tutors and technological tools are supporting and monitoring the experience. Stay tuned for more updates!

The Byblios Project shares two important updates. First, IFLA is developing Green Library Guidelines, and you can contribute by submitting suggestions by March 9, 2025. Second, in Portugal, the School Library Network highlights libraries as inclusive and inspiring spaces that promote reading, creativity, and critical thinking through activities like book clubs, debates, and author meetings. Investing in libraries means shaping a more informed and engaged society!

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Today, the Byblios Project team attended an inspiring event hosted by our partner, the University "Gabriele d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara. With many students and institutions present, the event celebrated Olympic and Paralympic athletes and their journeys. It was also an opportunity for Byblios to share its mission of promoting inclusive learning.

At Byblios, we celebrate Readers' Day as a reminder of the transformative power of books. Portugal’s dedication to promoting literacy shines through initiatives like the National Program for the Promotion of Reading and the National Reading Plan. Libraries, especially school libraries, play a crucial role in nurturing the love of reading, fostering habits that empower individuals and enrich society.

Let’s remember: there’s a book for everyone, waiting to inspire and connect us. Happy reading, every day!

E-portfolios are digital collections of artifacts—such as demonstrations, resources, and accomplishments—that represent an individual, group, or institution. They serve multiple purposes, including learning, professional development, and assessment.

On November 29, 2024, the BYBLIOS team attended Handimatica, a prominent exhibition and conference in Bologna focused on digital technologies for an inclusive society. Organized by the ASPHI Foundation Onlus, this event provided a platform to engage with experts, explore innovative solutions, and share best practices at both national and European levels.

The Byblios Project is developing tools to support the inclusion of people with cognitive disabilities in library work. This includes a Protocol for Professional Inclusion, a digital Career e-Portfolio, and guidelines based on expert interviews and research. The goal is to make libraries inclusive and empowering workplaces.

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), developed by the World Health Organization, offers a comprehensive framework for understanding health beyond mere diagnoses. It facilitates effective communication among stakeholders, enables monitoring of intervention impacts, and serves as an international standard for data comparability. The ICF is applied in public policy, health statistics, clinical practice, and social services, promoting a holistic and inclusive approach to health and disability.

October is International School Library Month (ISLM), an annual event celebrating school libraries worldwide. Organized by the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL), ISLM highlights the crucial role libraries play as central hubs in educational institutions. In Portugal, School Library Day is observed on the fourth Monday of October, which falls on the 28th in 2024. This year's theme is "School Libraries: connecting communities!"

The BYBLiOS project was showcased on the big screen during the G7 event in Pescara, held from October 22 to 27. The Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized that development cooperation is a key tool for peace, growth, and stability, core themes of Italy's G7 Presidency. Over 10,000 attendees, including policymakers, parliamentarians, local and international stakeholders, students, and teachers, viewed the project’s video presentation.

The Byblios Project has launched to promote inclusion in libraries, focusing on creating inclusive spaces for individuals with disabilities. The project aims to engage in research, develop an inclusion protocol, offer internships, and train librarians. It also seeks to explore new library concepts as community hubs. This blog will share updates, activities, and opportunities throughout the project.