Recording (51 min 14 sec) of an informal online discussion - a  ‘Virtual Break’ -  hosted by the EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP) on the topic 'The Civic Potential of Public Libraries'.  Discussion focused on the roles that public libraries can play in bringing together diverse community groups, and to promote critical thinking and informed dialogue. 

Stella Migide Madete, University Librarian at Umma University in Kenya, discusses the evolving role of libraries in African societies as civic hubs that promote access to credible information, civic literacy and democratic participation. See slides of the presentation (PDF).

Baiba Ivane, Chief Bibliographer at the Regional Library of Salaspils County in Latvia, speaks about the library's experience of bridging community divides amid Europe’s geopolitical tensions by organizing conversation clubs, enhancing citizens’ media and information literacy, and applying the ‘Living Library’ method (the 'Living Library' provides an opportunity for library visitors to engage in structured, facilitated and safe conversations with community members from stigmatized groups, such as refugees, immigrants and people with disabilities). See slides of the presentation (PDF).