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‘Generation Code: born at the library’ - the interactive exhibition showcasing the top innovative digital exhibits from public libraries across the EU - is back!

Date

13 Oct 2017

Public Libraries 2020 (PL2020) is excited to celebrate Code Week 2017 at the European Parliament with a new interactive digital making experience. Following last year’s astonishing success, this year’s theme is “Smart Cities, Smart Citizens, Smart Libraries” – looking at how future technologies are interacting with libraries across Europe.

BRUSSELS, 17 October 2017 – Representatives of public libraries from 27 European countries are gathering at the European Parliament during European Code Week 2017 to demonstrate the invaluable work they are doing to boost coding and digital skills across Europe. They will be joined by Members of the European Parliament and other visitors, trying 3D printing, experiencing robotics and embarking on virtual reality tours.

The second edition of “Generation Code: born at the library” will be formally launched on Tuesday 17th October in the European Parliament by Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Digital Affairs, host of the event Agnes Jongerius MEP, and Gerald Leitner, Secretary-General of IFLA and Piotr Pluta, Director Corporate Affairs of CISCO systems.

Visitors will be welcomed to the interactive exhibition by Robot Zora and Robot Norma, from MuntPunt library in Belgium and DOKK1 library in Denmark. They will bring digital learning to life for European policy makers and show them how exciting visiting a modern library can be. “Generation Code: Born at the library” will also feature a “Meet & Greet speed dating session” with library representatives and MEPs, a kid’s session, and a lively debate on the role of technology in keeping libraries vibrant and relevant.

“Libraries today are a way for people to explore – not only through books and literature but also with new technologies”, said Agnes Jongerius MEP.

Digital skills are not just about jobs anymore. Technology is increasingly defining the way governments and businesses offer their services and the way citizens live their daily lives. This means that a basic level of digital skills is asked of every citizen, young and old. With 50% of Europeans still lacking those basic digital skills, and 20% of Europeans having no digital skills at all, Europe’s 65,000 public libraries are becoming beacons of digital inclusion. They are increasingly functioning as lively community hubs where people get together, connect, and where they have access to skills training and lifelong learning opportunities.

“Generation Code: born at the library” demonstrated last year just how well public libraries fit in the digital age”, said Ilona Kish, Director of Public Libraries 2020. “We hope that this year’s edition will help to encourage policy-makers and employers to invest more in libraries so that they can continue their important work on digital inclusion”.