Libraries as Safe Spaces and Drivers of Community Change

On December 17, 2025, the team of the Regional Community Development Center took part in the Annual Conference of the Association of Librarians of the Republic of Moldova, held online under the theme “Access, Adaptation, Advancement.” The event provided a platform for dialogue between library professionals and community partners, focusing on the role of libraries in the context of social and digital transformations.

From our perspective, the discussions reaffirmed the importance of libraries as essential community infrastructures that go beyond their traditional role as information providers and evolve into spaces for learning, dialogue, and community support. Equitable access to information, responsiveness to people’s real needs, and civic engagement are directions that closely align with CRDC’s mission at local and regional levels.

In the second part of the conference, the focus on projects and partnerships highlighted the potential of libraries to act as safe and inclusive spaces, including in sensitive areas such as violence prevention and support for women and girls. CRDC’s intervention addressed available support resources for survivors of gender-based violence and emphasized the role of cooperation between libraries and community organizations in facilitating access to accurate information and support services.

In the coming period, we aim to strengthen this collaboration through the formalization of a partnership agreement with the Association of Librarians of the Republic of Moldova, enabling more effective coordination of joint efforts. Through this partnership, we seek to develop joint initiatives in the fields of civic education, community information, and the transformation of libraries into safe and accessible spaces for all categories of beneficiaries, thereby contributing to the development of more informed, inclusive, and resilient communities.