On 25 September 2026, the 22nd Round Table of the Commission for the Adaptation and Accessibility of Library Services will be held at the National and University Library in Zagreb, entitled “The Library Comes to You: Services for Users of Nursing Homes – Needs, Challenges and Opportunities”.
The event is organized by the Croatian Library Association – Commission for the Adaptation and Accessibility of Library Services, while the co-organizers are the National and University Library in Zagreb, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences of the University of Zagreb, and the Zagreb City Libraries.
Given the global trend of population ageing and the increasing number of users of nursing homes and residential care facilities for elderly and dependent persons, libraries are increasingly recognizing the importance of bringing their services closer to this often neglected group of users. Library services for older people are not limited to access to library materials but also include the realization of the right to information, cultural participation and a dignified life.
This round table provides an opportunity to exchange knowledge, experiences and ideas on how libraries can reach users of nursing homes and dependent users, as well as library users with reduced mobility, in their homes. In an ageing society, the question of access to culture and knowledge in later life becomes a question of fundamental human rights and dignity.
The event will address the specific needs of older users and users in residential care facilities, the adaptation of library content and services for this user group, cooperation between libraries and local communities, opportunities for developing digital literacy among older people, the scope and limitations of the social role of libraries, as well as examples of good practice that can be transferred and adapted.
