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Purpose. The aim of this paper is to emphasize the importance of strengthening librarians' competencies in working with older adults, using the example of the „65 plus" project by the Zagreb City Libraries. Methodology. The research was conducted among librarians participating in the „65 plus" project from October 25th to November 5th, 2022, using a survey method and an online questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 28 open and closed-type questions and was completed by 38 respondents, representing 69 % of the target group. The research examined librarians' attitudes towards the necessary competencies for working with older adults, self-assessment of their competencies and sensitivity to the needs of older adults in general, the importance of lifelong learning and ways to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to work with this user group. Results. The research results show that the respondents consider themselves competent to work with older adults and believe that continuous education is necessary for providing quality service and development of new programmes, indicating that they are personally and professionally motivated to participate in the project. The most important general competencies necessary for working with older adults highlighted by the respondents are ethics, communication skills and the ability to adapt to new situations. The most important professional competencies are eff ectively providing information to meet user needs, the ability to teach users and the ability to provide and develop (new) services for users. Practical implications. The research results can help other public libraries in designing programmes, developing the competencies of their employees working in the reference and information service and improving services for older adults....Originality/Value. This paper presents the results of the fi rst research on the attitudes of librarians involved in the implementation of the „65 plus" project regarding the importance of various competencies and lifelong education for designing and implementing quality programmes for older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this paper is to show different program activities of the Marin Držić Library network which were created for the purpose of supporting cultural diversity, encouraging intercultural dialogue, and facilitating the integration of immigrants into Croatian society. Additionally, the paper emphasizes the benefits of the Erasmus+ Program - Adult Education, which enables expert training and improves the quality of adult education outside of the formal education systems. Approach/methodology/design. Taking into consideration the international and national, general and library documents, this paper first gives an overview of the definitions of multiculturalism and interculturalism, intercultural dialogue, intercultural education, and intercultural literacy, as well as an insight into the importance of libraries in a multicultural society. Next presented are the examples of the program activities implemented at the Savica Library and Marin Držić Children's Library, followed by the experience gained by participating in Let's Meet the Others project in Copenhagen, implemented within the framework of 2020 Erasmus+ program and for the purpose of exchanging experiences with librarians from other countries about the library programs and services intended for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Results. The overview of the program activities of the two branches of the Marin Držić Library network and the public library in Copenhagen shows numerous and diverse modalities of how public libraries in a multicultural environment can contribute to the encouragement of multiculturalism and interculturalism, as well as to the facilitation of the integration of immigrants. Originality. This paper for the first time describes the program activities of the Marin Držić Library network intended for immigrants and migrants together with the program activities intended for the local population for the purpose of familiarizing them with different cultures. Including an overview of the Copenhagen Nørrebro Library programs intended for vulnerable user groups of immigrants and migrants, the described examples can stimulate and inspire other public libraries in developing and implementing similar program activities, as well as stimulate involvement in the European mobility programs focusing on adult education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The aim of this paper is to examine the criteria and the current procedures in the procurement of unreliable nonfiction materials in public libraries observing two fundamental selection principles: principles of a publication value (quality) and principles of demand (existing or anticipated user needs). Approach/methodology. The first part of the paper gives a theoretical overview of the particularities of developing and assessing of collections of nonfiction materials in public libraries, taking into account international and Croatian library documentation and publicly accessible guidelines on collection development. The second part presents the options and challenges in the assessment of unreliable nonfiction materials on the example of five publications. The methods used for this assessment were selected from those focused on collections - comparison to reference materials lists, citation analysis and expert opinion; and those focused on users - data on circulation, reservations and interlibrary loans. Results. The application of several methods of qualitative and quantitative assessment on the five selected examples of unreliable nonfiction materials, and especially the analysis of their loan data, which is considered the best performance indicator of collection development in public libraries, demonstrates the incredible complexity of the procurement of such materials and the need to be especially attentive so that librarians can surmount the rift between the criteria which they encounter during their procurement and assessment. Originality/value. In the Croatian library science field, there are few papers describing the assessment of public library collections, whereby this is the first paper on the topic of developing library collections focusing on the procurement of unreliable nonfiction materials. Considering that the nonfiction materials collections in public libraries also include publications presenting ideas and theories which are not expertly and scientifically grounded and which spread disinformation and fake news, this paper draws attention to the need to systematically assess such materials since, on the basis of the obtained indicators, it is possible to understand more objectively the scope, depth and level of usefulness of collections, on which future collection planning and development can be grounded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The aim of the paper is to give an overview of the current approaches to the subject analysis of unreliable nonfiction materials in the Croatian public libraries, and to research the potential of the existing subject analysis tools to differentiate between such materials and those that are based on scientific and expert knowledge. Approach/methodology. In this paper, the subject analysis of unreliable nonfiction materials in public libraries is approached in relation to the role of libraries in preventing the spread of false news, disinformation, and pseudoscientific ideas. Subsequently, the characteristics of scientifically unreliable publications are examined, and current approaches to the subject analysis of such materials are illustrated through five publications whose classification classes, subject headings, and annotations were examined by browsing the online catalogues of the public libraries combined into three extensive union catalogues according to their library software: CROLIST, MetelWIN, and ZaKi. Results. The catalogue records of the selected publications reveal that there is no distinction made in the Croatian public libraries between unreliable nonfiction materials and materials based on current scientific paradigms through the classification class numbers, the assigned subject headings, and annotations, which exposes users to possible disinformation when browsing nonfiction materials in both open-stack collections and online. Originality/value. Taking into account the importance of libraries in promoting reliable information and preventing false news, this paper indicates the need to reevaluate the current procedures of the subject analysis of unreliable nonfiction materials whose production has intensified during the last decades and which constitute a portion of the nonfiction collections in public libraries. Even though scientists have been warning about the dangers of the spread of pseudoscientific information for a number of years, and librarians encounter issues related to this topic in the interaction with users on a daily basis, this is the first paper that focuses on subject analysis of such materials in the Croatian public libraries and emphasizes the social responsibility of librarians regarding this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The purpose of the paper is to present the Green Library for Green Zagreb project in the light of cooperation with associations, from the perspective of participatory governance in culture. Approach. The paper provides an overview of the cooperation between libraries and associations, in the context of programs aimed towards environmental protection and encouraging sustainable development, from the Green Library pilot project, implemented in 2016 in one library within the Zagreb City Libraries network, to the Green Library for Green Zagreb project, currently being conducted in 21 libraries. The term “green library” implies library programs and services aimed at informing users about sustainable development and the necessity of environmental protection as well as acquiring knowledge and skills to improve the quality of life. An overview of “green” programs realized so far through the cooperation between libraries of the Zagreb City Libraries network and various associations is based on the published papers and library reports on the conduction of the project, launched in 2017. Considering that the project reports are semi-annual, the paper explores the period from January 2017 to June 2019. Results. The overview of cooperation with many associations that deal with environmental protection and promoting sustainable development values demonstrates that it was established in all kinds of programs within the project. It is also apparent that cooperation with civil society organizations, built in the foundations of the project, guarantees quality and diversity of the programs and ensures that as many citizens as possible actively participate in the project. Originality. Apart from being the first overview of cooperation between Croatian “green” library programs and civil society organizations, the paper also points to the importance of pushing public-civil partnerships towards participatory governance. Thus, libraries become involved into conducting national, European and global cultural policies which highlight participatory governance as the basis of sustainable development in culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. This paper presents an overview of the programs intended for the children with developmental disabilities and youth with disabilities, as well as for the children with reading disorders and dyslexia, which are carried out at the Marin Držić Children's Library and the Savica Library, two branches of the Marin Držić Library network, within the Zagreb City Libraries network. Methodology. The programs which are carried out through the Library Doors Wide Open project are described chronologically. Among these, the most prominent are the programs of reading in the company of assistance dogs, a series of psychological and pedagogical workshops Yes, I can!, a series of storytelling workshops So can we!, as well as a number of logopedics lectures and workshops organized within the national campaign I Want to Read Too! Findings. The overview of the programs in the Library Doors Wide Open project demonstrates that the continuous and systematic collaborations in planning and realization of the inclusive library programs contribute greatly to the empowerment and a positive shift in the general development of the children with developmental disabilities and youth with disabilities. Additionally, they result in enriched and enhanced programs, and encourage inclusive education and training. Informing the public about reading disorders and dyslexia contributes to the education and sensitizing of the local community to the issues and problems faced by the people with reading disorders and dyslexia. Originality/value. This is the first systematic overview of the inclusive programs for children with developmental disabilities and youth with disabilities run in the Marin Držić Children's Library and the Savica Library which can serve as an incentive for organizing similar programs dedicated to this sensitive user group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe the 65 Plus project. The project 65 Plus started in 2008 at the Zagreb City Libraries with the goal of social integration of elderly people and their active integration into the social and cultural activities in their community. Approach: The first part of the article analyses the basic legal and professional framework for the library services for elderly people. The demographic changes in the world population are especially emphasised. The second part brings a detailed overview of seven different programmes within the project 65 Plus. Results: The 65 Plus programme overview shows that the number and the diversity of programmes help the quality of life and social integration of elderly people. It enhances the quality of living in elderly homes, sensitizes the public to elderly people's needs, emphasizes their knowledge, experience and wisdom, and helps them to see the library as a place where they can fulfil their information, cultural and educational needs as well as the need for recreation and company. Originality: Besides giving an overview of the activities for elderly people over the last ten years within the project 65 Plus at the Zagreb City Libraries, the paper emphasizes the importance of rethinking the existing and setting up new programmes for elderly people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]