How many of you are there? Where are you going? And what languages do you speak? Librarians in search of their audiences

Abstract

This work originates from a collaborative effort and was published in the proceedings of the 20th Stelline Conference: Libraries Beyond—New Territories of Interdisciplinarity. It highlights the critical role of librarians in understanding users’ needs and designing educational pathways tailored to them. The distinction between ‘audience’ and ‘community’ is explored, stressing the importance of engaging both groups effectively. The document emphasizes the role of Information Literacy and other lifelong learning skills, including relational (active listening, facilitation) and technical (context analysis, mixed-method inquiry). Several strategies and frameworks, such as EntreComp, DigComp, and GreenComp, are discussed, offering structured approaches to user-centered education. Libraries are positioned as active learning spaces that must continuously evolve to meet diverse and interdisciplinary needs.