The library as information literacy centre

Libraries are undergoing a fundamental transformation in the digital age: In the face of the growing flood of information from social media and online sources, their role purely as lending institutions is increasingly taking a back seat; instead, they are evolving into information literacy centres. Librarians are becoming information specialists who help users identify reliable information and critically evaluate , thereby helping them develop media literacy. This realignment is crucial not only for the future viability of libraries but also for democratic society as a whole, in which information literacy is considered a key competence. Using the example of Graz Public Library (Austria), this transformation is shown in practice, for instance through workshops on fake news, digital advisory services, makerspaces and events to foster civic education. One central component of this evolution is the training of librarians in Austria: In the future, they will be expected not only to manage media but also – in their capacity as information specialists – to actively contribute to orientation in the digital world.