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Croatian libraries at the forefront of Europe’s library community

Segments of the frontpage of the OMC Group report 2026.

The recent report of the European Union’s Open Method of Coordination (OMC) Group spotlights Croatia as one of only four European countries – along with France, Portugal and Slovenia – which since 2012 have had an increase in the number of libraries.

Also in the report, the Croatian Book Month, Croatia’s annual national programme organised by the Zagreb City Libraries and promoting books and reading, has been singled out among the leading examples of particularly successful library initiatives. The OMC Group recognised as similarly successful the arts programme of the Marko Marulić City Library in Split (Dalmatina Library) and I WISH TO READ TOO!, the Croatian Library Association’s national campaign focusing on persons with print disabilities.

Active in shaping and implementing Europe’s development strategies

With its practices represented in all the key parts of the report as a good model to be used by libraries in other countries, the Croatian library system proves its active role in shaping Europe’s development strategies, as well as in ensuring their effective implementation.

The report, entitled Strengthening Europe through public libraries, is a valuable tool for library advocacy on both the national and international levels as well as a useful resource for the National and University Library in Zagreb (NSK) as the central institution of Croatia’s national library system. Certain to serve as the Library’s point of reference in providing support and assistance to libraries all across Croatia, the report is expected to be translated in Croatian the next year.

NSK part of joined efforts of European librarians and heritage professionals

Along with the examples of best library practices, the report brings practical guidelines for the development of libraries in the upcoming years, a thorough analysis of Europe’s public libraries statistics and an overview of library legislation in the represented countries.

A result of two-and-a-half-year work of the Group, whose members include a representative of the Croatian Ministry of Culture and Media Ivana Despot and the Head of the NSK User Services Department Dorja Mučnjak, the report was prepared in close cooperation with professionals from EU members states and other European countries.