On September 23, the “Erasmus+” professional development training for public library specialists from European countries, titled “Let’s Play: Empowering Librarians with Gamification Strategies for Youth Education” came to an end. The training was organized by Šiauliai County Povilas Višinskis Public Library. Erasmus+ training and other mobility activities have been planned by the library until 2027. Their goal is to broaden and enhance the competencies of specialists working with youth from different European Union countries, expand their practical and theoretical knowledge, teach them how to work with young people with special needs, organize inclusive reading promotion programs, and apply the gamification method in their activities.

During the first stage (in 2024), public library specialists from Lithuania, Greece, Portugal, Poland, Finland, and Estonia came to the library for a week-long training session. Most of the participating library specialists were young and middle-aged individuals eager to work with youth and attract children and young people to libraries. In the training, led by professional lecturers, participants were introduced to the gamification method and its practical application in educational programs for youth. The knowledge gained will be taken back to their libraries and applied in traditional educational programs.

Participants described the theoretical and practical knowledge they gained as valuable and horizon-broadening. Many came expecting to gain new experiences that would help make their libraries even more appealing to visitors. Theodora, a specialist from the Xylagani Children’s and Youth Library in Greece, shared that she came to Šiauliai hoping the ideas she would bring back would help make her library even more attractive and popular at the regional level. She also plans to pass on the acquired good practices to teachers in surrounding schools. During her work at the library, she noticed that children from small towns and villages are very interested in various gamified activities, making the acquired experience very useful.

When asked whether libraries need gamification, Agnė Rapalaitė-Rasiulė, head of training at the Creativitas public institution, who introduced the gamification method to the participants, pointed out that the application of game elements outside of a game context is ideally suited for activities conducted by libraries. All the best elements of games—ensuring motivation, different levels, a points system, and many other components—can be used to create engaging educational programs, events, encourage reading, and more.

During the week, library specialists not only learned how to apply gamification methods but also became familiar with the activities of the Šiauliai County Povilas Višinskis Public Library, where gamification techniques are applied. The Erasmus+ professional development training also provided an opportunity to share good practices from their countries, establish new, valuable partnerships between participants, and connect their respective European libraries.

The project is funded by the European Union.

Photos and text by Šiauliai County Povilas Višinskis Public Library