MEP Library Lovers

The MEP Library Lovers Group brings together Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from around the EU, and across the political spectrum, who are passionate about libraries.

 

Every day, in countless communities across the European Union, over 100 million people visit over 65,000 public libraries every year, not to mention the thousands of academic and national libraries. As well as a vast array of books, computers and other resources, library users benefit from the expert teaching and guidance of librarians to help support their learning and open new worlds.

The MEP library lovers that are part of this group believe that:

  • Libraries support literacy and lifelong learning
  • Libraries build communities and support civic participation
  • Libraries are the great equaliser
  • Libraries protect our right to know
  • Libraries promote authors and reading for pleasure.

MEP Library Lovers sponsor Generation Code: Born at the Library, PL2030’s annual interactive digital exhibition from libraries at the European Parliament, and recommend the 60 Books for the Summer reading list.

MEP Library Lovers Co-chairs

Brando Benifei is an Italian Member of European Parliament for the S&D group. Brando fights for a truly social Europe, defending the rights of workers, migrants, children and the disabled, as well as for digital and social innovation. Brando is determined to continue working with libraries across Europe and especially in Italy to achieve these goals – not least as part of his work in the IMCO committee, supporting libraries to create socially and digitally inclusive communities.

Eva Maydell is a Bulgarian Member of European Parliament for the EPP group. Eva stands for quality education, entrepreneurship and technology – all areas which can be enriched through leveraging Europe’s public libraries. A longstanding library champion in the European Parliament and in her home country, Eva believes that public libraries are a vital space for social contact and knowledge. In her upcoming mandate in the ITRE committee, she is determined to get libraries involved in crucial policy debates on research, digital skills and even artificial intelligence.

“Modern libraries are on a mission, so am I – to create the opportunities for the people to never stop seeking better knowledge, skills and new horizons where they can realise their talents. This is why I accepted to co-chair the MEP Library Lovers Group, because I believe that our communities are stronger when the access to knowledge is open to all.”

All MEP Library Lovers

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