Zagreb City Libraries 2025 Annual Report

2025 ANNUAL REPORT

Zagreb City Libraries

2025 IN SHORT

2,669,176

LIBRARY LOANS

As though every citizen of the City of Zagreb borrowed almost four books in a year.

151,253

MEMBERS

Enough to fill four football stadiums at Maksimir.

418

LOCATIONS

42 + 1

MOBILE LIBRARY

218 E-AUDIO BOOKS

LIBRARIES USE THE ZAKI LIBRARY SYSTEM

3.594 E-BOOKS BOOKS PROCURED

117,638 If stacked on top of each other, they would make a tower 30 times higher than the Zagreb cathedral.

Letter from the director

Behind me is my first year as the director of the Zagreb City Libraries. Even though I have been working in this network for a long stretch of years, only in the previous year I got fully acquainted with its complexity, diversity, and strength which rest on the knowledge, dedication, and professionalism of its staff who shape and develop it on a daily basis.

In 2025 the Zagreb City Libraries confirmed their status of a strong cultural institution and the biggest library network in Croatia, with membership consisting of 20% of the total City of Zagreb population. The year was marked by numerous innovations. For example, we introduced digital registration, with which we improved the user experience and additionally confirmed our focus towards sustainable business. Simultaneously, we intensely worked on the preparations for relocating the central City Library to Paromlin, the largest cultural project of the City of Zagreb. Its construction has been becoming reality in the public’s eyes on a daily basis and it will shape the cultural and social life of the city in the long term.

Furthermore, by introducing new visual identity we began to systematically strengthen the recognisability of the Zagreb City Libraries.

In the upcoming period, our focus will be on strengthening the connections within the network, completing the integration processes, modernising the operations, developing a recognisable programme identity, and positioning of the institution in the local and international environment. Special attention will be given to the migration topic, which will mark the upcoming 2026 year, in order to continue to develop the libraries as inclusive and relevant spaces for all community members.

The results achieved in 2025 are the result of joint work, responsibility, and engagement of employees, associates, and partners of the Zagreb City Libraries. I thank all those who contributed to the achievement of our goals with their work, expertise, and support. Of particular importance is the continuous support of our founder, the City of Zagreb, as well as the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, City of Zaprešić, and the Zagreb County. A special mention must be given to our members and users, whose trust confirms the libraries’ vital role in modern society. I believe that by working together we will continue to develop the Zagreb City Libraries network as places of knowledge, culture and dialogue – places open to everyone.

Sunčica Ostoić, PhD, senior librarian

YEARS OF GROWTH, CONNECTIONS, AND STRENGTHENING OF COMMUNITY

A successfully concluded period of the 2021-2025 strategic plan is behind the Zagreb City Libraries. The key strategic directions were largely implemented, despite the complex circumstances and long-lasting structural challenges. The institution had kept a high level of availability of library services, their diversity, stable membership numbers, and increase of lending numbers, as well as its role of a vital partner in numerous programmes and projects. Furthermore, new services were introduced, the procurement of library materials was increased, and the preparations for the relocation of the City Library to Paromlin began.

In 2025 the Zagreb City Libraries continued to develop and strengthen their role as open and accessible places of knowledge, culture, and

meetings. Owing to the quality and currency of the library fund, diverse programme content, and user-friendly opening hours, the Zagreb City Libraries confirmed their status as dynamic centres and important motivators of the social life of the Zagreb neighbourhoods. Their activities systematically contributed to the cultural exchange, inclusivity, and active citizen participation, strengthening the recognisability and identity of the network in the local community.

The continual involvement of children and youth in the life of libraries was successfully ensured by the free membership model for ages 15 and under, but also due to their interest in the physical and digital forms of library services, which are constantly expanding and developing for those age groups.

The mobile library service in the previous strategic period operated with limited capacity, which was one of the significant operational limitations in the realisation of planned activities and service availability. Despite this, the completion of applications for the procurement of a new library bus (bibliobus) and a new library van (bibliovan) created the conditions for further improvement of the mobile library services. The new strategic period is entered with optimism and a clear development perspective directed at strengthening the availability and quality of services to the citizens of the City of Zagreb and Zagreb County.

31 16

BIBLIOBUS STOPS IN THE CITY OF ZAGREB

BIBLIOBUS STOPS IN THE ZAGREB COUNTY

7,727

46,459

FREE CHILDREN MEMBERSHIPS

As though all the citizens of Varaždin have a free library membership.

VISITORS DAILY

As though a smaller concert hall is filled every day.

11 %

INCREASE OF THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAMMES

The upcoming strategic period will be marked by the new visual identity as well. Towards the end of 2025, a call for applications was successfully conducted, which started the Zagreb City Library rebranding process –ahead of their new chapter in Paromlin.

The digital transformation, recognised as one of the key strategic goals, was additionally strengthened by the development of digital collections and online services as well as the international activities within the framework of the Erasmus accreditation, which contributed to the strengthening of the employees’ competences and application of innovative solutions in everyday work. The libraries thus confirmed their relevance in the digital environment and their ability to adapt to the contemporary needs of users.

Selected new visual identity authored by Nina Bačun and Sven Sorić

DIGITAL, SUSTAINABLE AND ACCESSIBLE

The Zagreb City Libraries in 2025 continued to improve their business, especially in the light of digital transformation and ecological sustainability. Now citizens can register or renew their membership remotely, using the eZaKi app, but for more sustainable and environmentally friendly operations, digital registration has been introduced in most libraries of the network for

new registrations and renewals of membership. Digital registration can be accessed via registration stations installed at almost all locations of the network. This also completed the process of complete implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation and made possible for members to manage their personal data themselves.

BY USING DIGITAL REGISTRATION FOR ONE

YEAR WE SAVED 50,000 SHEETS OF PAPER OR SAVED SEVEN TREES.

Digital services confirm the importance of flexibility in providing services irrespective of library working hours. More than 27,300 e-books and audio books loans were recorded. The loan service of e-materials is key for contemporary users. Many of them choose to use library services only in this way. This is a special reading experience, also

“evidenced by the first reading audio book club – the ABC Reading Club – where its host, Anita Tripalo, gathered the Zagreb City Libraries librarians as well. Different listening experiences of audiobooks show the importance of education and adapting to the format, the same as for learning to read printed books.

A book conveys experience and knowledge, regardless of its format, be it on a clay tile or in audio format […] It is up to us librarians to bring contemporary reading possibilities closer to our users.

–

Jasmina

Kenda, librarian

“[…] I listen a lot, I often have headphones as I walk, so I catch myself sometimes looking for a longer way home just so that listening can last longer.

– Mila Perasović, librarian

27,300 E-BOOK AND AUDIO BOOKS

All these services have a solid foothold in the ZaKi library system, which is one of the oldest Croatian library operations programmes, launched in 1997 in cooperation with the VIVA info company and the Zagreb City Libraries.

At the beginning, its development was based on connecting and digitising business processes, while today it is increasingly focused on app development. The foundations of the modules for procurement, processing, lending, weeding, and statistics were placed twenty years ago, and even today when new types of materials are introduced, such as e-books and audiobooks, they are equally functional in all business processes of the bibliographic processing regardless of the format. An internal app was created to accelerate the process of revising the library fund - ZaKi Klik.

In the future, ZaKi will continue to adapt and create new technological solutions aligned with the requirements of all users in the ZaKi system.

1,479,566 BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORDS

478,357 AUTHORITY RECORDS

8,679,284 UNITS OF THE LIBRARY MATERIAL

INVESTING IN PEOPLE –ENGINE OF CHANGE

Paromlin is growing before the eyes of all citizens. The Zagreb City Libraries have been actively preparing for the new central library, and, in its final construction phase, it has been impressive to see how the vision becomes a reality.

Preparations for moving the central City Library to the new location have not just included preparing the library fund and planning new programme activities. This has been a great challenge for all library staff,

who have been trying to prepare and strengthen themselves with education, i.e. by strengthening general, professional, digital, and other competences.

The new modern City Library building requires employees who can respond to new technological requirements, but also to the challenge of a new generation of users. In the previous year, a series of educations, organised by the Research and Development Department, were held.

6,037 HOURS OF PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION OF LIBRARY STAFF – EIGHT AND A HALF YEARS OF CONTINUOUS LEARNING

In addition to various professional topics, the educations intended for librarians included a large number of workshops and courses organised for the purpose of strengthening employees in the fields of mental health, communication skills, management skills, and public speaking skills.

Open about Mental Health

Even though most librarians list a high level of satisfaction with their work and work environment, many have also highlighted not uncommon challenges in interpersonal relations, primarily in the area of communications, mutual understanding, and emotional competences. The education aimed at promoting mental health and preventing burnout gathered the librarians who in everyday work with different

user groups, alongside with reference services, administrative, and programmes activities, take on many additional professional, organisational, and communication roles, often in emotionally demanding circumstances. Thus, a space was open for discussing mental health in the workplace and for recognising early signs of stress and burnout, additionally concrete tools for dealing with challenging situations were presented.

“[…] libraries offer a peaceful environment, which is therapeutic in itself. [...] These educations empower librarians, as well as libraries as centres supporting mental health, they strengthen libraries' role in the community and create a healthier and happier environment for everyone - both employees and users.

– Radmila Stojanović Babić, social educationalist and mental health expert, Susret Association

Monthly Mental Health Clubs were organised for users, reading clubs to discuss books associated with mental health topics, which has encouraged the exchange of experiences and destigmatisation of persons with such difficulties. The care about mental health of the employees as well as users has directly affected the atmosphere in libraries and quality of library services, while continuous investment in education and supportive organisational culture have furthermore built a more resilient and sustainable institution and community.

“It was also useful to meet and socialise with colleagues with whom we don’t have the opportunity to communicate in person. We had, among everything else, great fun! :)

– Workshop participant

“Very pleasant lecturers and a useful workshop that gave me a different perspective of looking at things and situations and made us aware of some things that we forgot about due to today's pace.

– Workshop participant

Communication – a Bridge Instead of a Wall

The Communication in Business Environment education was organised over several cycles to advance the communication skills of the Zagreb City Libraries staff and strengthen the quality of cooperation in the work environment. The librarians, through the education, acquired practical knowledge

“about assertive and professional communication, active listening, and constructive resolution of disagreements, with an emphasis on the development of mutual respect and positive working atmosphere. Workshops have also contributed to improving communication with users.

I got many impressions from the education: the participants' willingness to share experiences, openness to change in the way they communicate, but the most important insight was that in the work environment we often experience what the interlocutor tells us on a personal level. This feeling of “being attacked” can make communication more difficult. What makes me particularly happy is the readiness of the participants to change [...].

– Snježana

Kupres, lecturer, Metanoia

“I’ve learned how to, through active listening and empathy, better understand the needs of my colleagues, and by combining assertiveness and kindness to solve misunderstandings and building genuine community.

– Workshop participant

Rhetoric Between the Shelves

Among the interesting educations in 2025 those aimed at developing communication and presentation skills of librarians will be remembered, those with special emphasis on media performance, clarity and fluency of speaking, and giving convincing speech performances. As libraries strengthen their presence in the media, it was proven necessary to work on strengthening the competences crucial for the quality presentation of the library and its programmes to the public, as well as for successful cooperation with the media. From workshops, the librarians brought a new level of awareness of their own speech, concrete techniques for structuring presentations,

voice exercises, breathing, gestures and mimics, and they recognised a new form of freedom of expression. All these small but important exercises and instructions, with an exceptionally positive and stimulating atmosphere, have led, above all, to the librarians’ greater self-esteem. At the workshops, learning through play, laughter, and support of colleagues, additionally strengthened the team spirit and confirmed the importance of continuous investment in the development of various skills of librarians. In addition to focused education, the librarians worked tirelessly on lifelong learning.

“Brilliant team! A brilliant team of diverse interests and talents which they effectively use at their job! It was up to me to give them the tools and techniques to help their words resonate even more. [...] And for the happiness to be even greater, there was a lot of laughter, wholesome humour, honest emotions, and mutual support.

– Davor Stanković, lecturer, phonetician, and speech coach, Retor

“One of the best, most useful, but also the most fun education at the Zagreb City Libraries that I’ve experienced!

– Workshop participant

More than Books: Learning, Creativity, Meetings

During all the weeks of the year, 52 of them, the most diverse cultural and educational programmes for children and adults were tirelessly held at all locations within the Zagreb City Libraries network. The memory and concentration workshop was in high demand, and it was organised for those who

want to maintain the existing level of memory and improve their concentration by means of quizzes, puzzles, mathematical problems, anagrams, repetitions, composing stories, and exercises for fine motor skills.

“This library is the children's heart of the neighbourhood [...] from generation to generation, preschool and school children are raised in this library.

– User

“Learning new things and getting new information in our library, no matter how old we are, we grow.

– User

“[...] It is a real joy to plan and conduct promotional activities and workshops with such enthusiasm. We look forward to continuing our cooperation!

– Associate

“Working with the senior citizens is extremely motivating for me, and I am particularly happy to hear their thoughts, life experiences, and desires.

– Katja Martić, 65 plus programme

3,498 PROGRAMMES FOR ADULTS WITH 69,450 VISITORS . More than the total population of Velika Gorica.

IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

In 2025 the Zagreb City Libraries implemented a series of programmes and projects which further confirmed their role as dynamic cultural, educational, and social centres of the Zagreb neighbourhoods. In order to further focus on the librarians, the 2025 Month of the Croatian Book event was held under the slogan Chosen by Librarians. Often unobtrusive in their work, but

crucial to the availability of knowledge, culture, and information, the librarians finally got the attention they deserve in that month. The Among Librarians programme had a large interest of the public, it was conceived as a series of short, direct meetings, speed dates between users and librarians, which has shown that libraries are not only places for books but also places of meetings and dialogue.

“In the moment in which the light is dying in this country, libraries are the place where that light should shine in its entirety. And so, my message to the librarians is to carry that light, because this country is not a country of darkness, and the place where it shines is precisely the library itself.

–

Boris

Jokić, director of the Institute for Social Research

A central such event was held at Zrinjevac during a Saturday rush hour, and in addition to the music performance of the Zagreb City Libraries band, children's workshops, and book donations, the outdoor programme brought libraries closer to the wider public. Libraries were honoured by Croatian President Zoran Milanović as one of the guests of the Among the Shelves programme – a storytelling evening. President Milanović, Ivica Prtenjača, Boris Jokić, and three librarians shared their personal stories about libraries, librarians, books, and reading experiences during a lively evening at the Botaničar Bar and Gallery in Zagreb.

Library literary programmes at the Bogdan Ogrizović Library and Reading Room, and other libraries as well, brought together numerous local and international authors throughout the year. Special attention was drawn to the meetings with prominent modern writers from Europe, held on site and online, including programmes intended for secondary school pupils. Guest authors from Norway, France, Poland, Finland, Belgium, and other countries enriched the cultural offer of Zagreb and strengthened the international dimension of the literary programmes.

Presentation of Vesna Krmpotić’s anthology at the Bogdan Ogrizović Library and Reading Room

An additional contribution was made by the Zagreb City Libraries joining the Read for Real, an European project, and hosting the acclaimed Georgian literary star Beka Adamašvili. Secondary school pupils participated in this programme, which has further stimulated youth interaction with the contemporary European literary scene.

The successful networking with other cultural institutions was especially highlighted by the cooperation with the National and University Library in Zagreb on the creation of an e-book for the In the Beginning Was the Kingdom exhibition at the Klovićevi dvori Gallery, which included the digitised materials from the Zagreb City Libraries

Digital Collections. This further confirmed the important role of libraries in the conservation and contemporary interpretation of cultural heritage. The digitisation team, an increasingly intensifying library activity, has continuously prepared the most valuable materials for further protection and for generations to come.

Rudolf Horvat: King Tomislav and his Age, 1897. Digitised Zagreb Heritage

397,441

PORTAL

“The most valuable and endangered Zagreb City Libraries materials become protected by digitisation, and at the same time available for research, learning, and enjoyment.

125,144

87,054 VIEWS ACTIVITIES ON THE ZAGREB CITY LIBRARIES DIGITAL LIBRARY

VISITORS

– Librarian

Diverse STEM programmes have confirmed that modern trends, technological advancement, and curiosity have been followed. Among them was the programme of telescope rentals, a service born out of the cooperation with the Beskraj Astronomical Society. Gazing at the sky and stars can be experienced by borrowing a telescope at the Sesvete Library, where there's even a waiting list, and at the Kustošija Library.

The year was marked by the introduction of a new serviceseed lending, developed as part of the Green Library for Green Zagreb programme. The seed library was presented in June 2025 in front of the Kustošija Library. The citizens can borrow seeds and exchange them at the same time, encouraging sustainable practices, preserving biodiversity, and strengthening neighbourhood ties. Thanks to the cooperation with the Green Network of Activist Groups (Cro. Zelena mreža aktivističkih grupaZMAG) and international partners, the programme was extended to libraries in Jelkovec and Podsused by the end of the year.

The reading clubs in the Zagreb City Libraries network further strengthen their position of important cultural and social activities each year as a platform for exchanging ideas and fostering lifelong learning. The programme covers everyone - there are clubs for children, youth, and adults, and it is present in almost all libraries of the network. This is supported by the figures:

there were more than 200 meetings held with the participation of several hundred users, and hundreds of literary works were read. The programmes were often supplemented by discussions, interdisciplinary approaches, and guest appearances, which has further encouraged the development of reading habits and the strengthening of local communities.

The programmes connected to sensitising local population and integrating target groupsinternational protection applicants, refugees, citizens of third world countries, were recognised as early as the Let’s Meet Other and Diverse People, a literary-artistic programme. These topics are becoming of strategic institutional importance in the following period, so the migration topics and the sensitisation of communities and society as a whole will thematically mark 2026.

Impressive figures were recorded by the 65 Plus programme, intended for our senior citizens. It was implemented in 30 libraries in the network within various creative and educational activities, such as Painting Hour, Cognitive Training, The Workout, Information Literacy Hour, Generations’ Encounters, Books at Your Door, and numerous art exhibitions,

with senior citizens being both users and programme creators. During 2025, the programme covered almost 11,000 people, 57 cultural activities in retirement homes, and more than 2,000 library materials delivered to retirement homes or people who cannot come to the library themselves.

247 LIBRARIAN VISITS AND 57 CULTURAL PROGRAMMES IN RETIREMENT HOMES

How much the needs of the community have been taken care of in the Zagreb City Libraries can be seen in the Library Doors Wide Open programme. This programme’s goal is to encourage reading, lifelong learning, and social inclusion of children with developmental difficulties and youth and adults with disabilities, and it has been implemented for eighteen years. Every year there has been an increase in activities and participants in the programme. New activities related to film art were launched in 2025.

subtitles and recordings of Croatian sign language translators, so the following could be watched: The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent, Constitution of the Republic of Croatia, Fiume o Morte!, and Peacemaker. The screenings were also among the first collaborations with New Cultural Spaces, an institution that has been an important partner of Zagreb City Libraries, especially in the new Paromlin building.

Animated movies adapted to the needs of children from the Autism Centre were also shown, which is important for the development of communication skills and encouragement of emotional expression by talking about the film, characters, and themes.

42%

INCREASE IN NUMBER OF MEETINGS

24% INCREASE IN NUMBER OF THE PARTICIPANTS in the Library Doors Wide Open programme

The top reader Elin Haddad read 145 books. When she grows up, she would like to be a flight attendant because she likes to travel and learn foreign languages. She studied Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic, and now she is learning Latin, German, and English. She plays the violin at a music school and trains basketball.

Our youngest are also important to us, who up to the age of 15 are entitled to free enrolment in all libraries in Zagreb, as well as in Zaprešić, and the number of enrolled children has been increasing every year. In children's departments, the number of activities increased by 11%, attracting an ever-increasing number of young users. They have all confirmed that children have not lost interest in reading and that libraries are precisely their oases of imagination and creativity.

Final ceremony of the National Quiz to Encourage Reading

Seventy years ago, in the reading room of the then Workers' Library (today the Božidar Adžija Library) the first Literary Friday forum was held, with Vladan Desnica as a guest. The programme was created as a modest initiative by a few young librarians who in the mid-50s of the 20th century, in the time of the literary magazines Krugovi and Republic, decided to launch something new. Over the course of a decade, the forum has hosted almost all prominent names of Croatian literature, as well as numerous international authors, opening space for dialogue on literature, science, art, and society.

Despite changes in the media landscape, Literary Friday has continuously confirmed its relevance as one of the key points of cultural exchange and public discussions. Its long-standing tradition and importance were further highlighted by the publication of the monograph Literary Friday: the Chronicle of the Zagreb Cultural Forum by Pavle Bonča. During its long history, the forum has hosted many local writers, scientists, and artists, such as Josip Pupačić, Vesna Parun, Ivan Šupek, Gajo Petrović, Igor Mandić, Vlado Gotovac, and many international guests, such as Jirij Menzel, Jean-Paul Sartre, Günter Grass, Guy Gavriel Kay.

“The library has always been a meeting place, a square, an agora - a place where ideas, new insights, and skills were exchanged, a place where discussions took place. That's how it used to be, that's how it is now, and that’s how it is going to be in the future.

– Ismena Meić, editor of the Literary Friday monograph and head of the City Library

The International expert conference Read and Grow: Encouraging Reading in Children and Youth marked the 75th anniversary of the Central Department for Children and Youth of the City Library, the first children's library organised according to the professional standards that were later applied throughout Croatia, and the 30th anniversary of the Croatian Section of IBBY within the Croatian Centre for Children's Book, whose activities have been carried out in the field of empowering Croatian children's books, primarily through the promotion of Croatian authors in the country and the world as well as through the international cooperation.

The libraries of ethnic minorities of Albanians, Rusyns, and Ukrainians have been continuously procuring library materials, but they have also been organising numerous programmes in order to enrich the offer of the Zagreb City Libraries in that segment.

In 2025, a large retrospective exhibition was held on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Central Library of Rusyns and Ukrainians.

Read and Grow international expert conference, City Library

The Zagreb City Libraries have been organising educations for volunteers who read stories to hospitalised children in Zagreb hospitals for many years. They made their contribution to the community with those educations this year as well, while at the same time they promoted the importance of encouraging reading from an early age. The volunteers were prepared and presented with a selection of quality picture books and books for children and youth suitable for reading in hospitals.

ART WITHIN ARM’S REACH

Due to the three galleries in the Zagreb City Libraries, art exhibition activities were continuously organised, often alongside a discursive and workshop programme. As part of the programme, artistic leaderships, interviews with artists, and workshops were also held for children and youth.

The Prozori Gallery activities also resulted in the award-winning artist’s book by Sanja Bistričić Srića, included in the collection of artist’s books and is available for lending in the library network, which ensures the longevity and availability of the work.

The Picturebook: Media at the Intersection of Art and Learning programme has further developed a discursive format through talks with prominent authors and cooperation with the Modern Times portal, as well as workshops for children. This confirmed the characteristic of the Prozori Gallery as a space of synergy between the exhibition and library context and expansion toward a wider and diverse audience.

The Oblok Gallery achieved a diverse art exhibition programme through independent and guest projects by domestic artists.

The VN gallery presented a varied art and educational programme which included independent and group exhibitions of modern art, thematising identity, social relations, technology, media, and environment, with an emphasis on participatory formats such as workshops Rhythm X and Comics as well as the Interfacing Reality programme.

The VN Gallery venue has already been recognised as a unique combination of a reading room and art exhibition space that encourages the meeting of daily life and contemporary art and is open to various generations of users. Art exhibitions, workshops, and collaborative projects have established the VN Gallery as a platform for critical consideration of social, political, and technological phenomena, with active involvement of the local community and young authors.

The Zagreb City Libraries, with the exceptionally high-quality cooperation with the Zagreb theatres, have connected books and stage art in an additional way. Specifically, the Zagreb City Libraries membership card guarantees discounts in numerous theatres which are of course filled out throughout the year. This synergy within the culture encourages further development of the shared audience, and the number of collaborations has increased year after year because the theatres see powerful allies in the library staff and members.

Presence on Digital Platforms

The Zagreb City Libraries in 2025 significantly intensified their digital presence, modernised communication channels, and further reinforced their role as contemporary, open, and socially relevant cultural institutions. The number of followers on Facebook has been growing from year to year, and compared to 2024 that number increased for 12%, while the number of YouTube channel subscribers increased for 14%. The Instagram activities were expanded, with the number of followers increasing by 76%. A TikTok Channel was launched in 2025, strategically focused on the promotion of reading among youth and development of new, young audiences.

CONNECTED ACROSS BORDERS

In recent years the Zagreb City Libraries have once again intensified and strengthened their international position. In the new member elections of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) sections, the representatives of the Zagreb City Libraries were re-elected to the new term of office of the Public Libraries Section (PLS) and Metropolitan Libraries Section (MLS).

The employees of the Zagreb City Libraries participated in the MetLib Conference in Toronto, discussing how urban public libraries can contribute to combating social isolation and loneliness.

Alongside that, it has been ensured that the Zagreb City Libraries are a relevant interlocutor in the European environment via the EBLIDA ( European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations) activities.

The Erasmus accreditation has further internationalised the institution. Sixteen staff members visited four partner libraries across Europe (Aarhus, Graz, Malmö, Berlin), a Spanish adult education institution in Alcala de Henarese, and attended courses in Seville and Prague. Additionally, the Zagreb City Libraries hosted several groups that chose Zagreb for their mobility, which has resulted in the cooperation between Zagreb and the city of Dos Hermanas reading clubs held in English.

“Absolutely useful experience in the professional and business sense – and by that, I mean real concrete applications in future work.

– Employee about his mobility experience

“I experienced my stay at the Danish library as a wind in my sails, because of the acquired knowledge and, equally important, because I got to know my colleagues better. I think the mobility has been very successful and I would recommend such an experience to all my colleagues.

– Employee about her mobility experience

The cooperation was additionally strengthened with the libraries in Krakow as well as in Ljubljana, which was visited by a Zagreb City Libraries delegation to learn about the good practices in the centralised procurement and processing of library materials, which is one of the key changes in operations that will follow the move of the central City Library to Paromlin. The Zagreb City Libraries hosted colleagues from the Belgrade Library, director Jasmina Ninkov

and her associate Marjan Marinković, with whom the institution participated in the Bridge international project, organised in honour of Ivo Andrić. The project connected the libraries from Zagreb, Travnik, Belgrade, and Koper to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Ivo Andrić, one of the most significant authors from the region. As part of this project, a Zagreb City Libraries delegation visited the Srećko Vilhar Central Library in Koper.

The Zagreb City Library successes certainly include the selection of the All of Us project for participation in the annual Europe Challenge 2025/2026. Among 301 applications from 38 European countries, the Zagreb City Libraries stood out with the activities dedicated to migrants that will be conducted together with the Centre for Peace Studies. With the Europe Challenge programme, the Zagreb City Libraries will become a part of a strong network of libraries and local communities that learn and grow together.

In 2025, the Zagreb American Corner focused on strengthening STEM skills and digital literacy through the implementation of the programme titled Empowering Creativity: the Inclusion of STEM Programming, within which modern educational technologies and tools were used. Particular emphasis was placed on discussions on artificial intelligence, digital freedoms, and cybersecurity. A series of lectures and workshops for secondary school pupils were conducted on the possibilities of

education in the USA, and the continuous meetings of the English-language reading club contributed to the development of language skills of its participants. In addition, educations were conducted for librarians on the use of the eLibraryUSA database. All the activities have contributed to the promotion of common values, the strengthening of youth knowledge, and the development of skills relevant for operating in the contemporary economic and technological environment.

At the Franjo Tuđman International Airport, tourists and Zagreb citizens are symbolically greeted by the Zagreb City Libraries thanks to the cooperation with the international airport. Specifically, there is a collection of about 250 titles called ZAG Flybrary, based on the principles of open access and sharing, and, in addition to the Zagreb libraries, the Velika Gorica City Library has been engaged in the preparation of the titles.

3D Pen workshop at the Central Media Department of the City Library

RECOGNITION THROUGH AWARDS

The successful year was highlighted and further elevated by a series of awards.

Longtime volunteer of the Zagreb City Libraries, Igor Sole was the winner of the Volunteer Oscar for Lifetime Achievement. Igor has been volunteering at the Tin Ujević Library since 2001. His longtime engagement prompted other libraries to open the door to inclusive volunteers. In this

way libraries have been accomplishing their mission to be a comfortable, open, and accessible space for all citizens. The Volunteer Oscar for Lifetime Achievement is awarded to persons with exceptional and long-standing volunteer engagement in the area of the City of Zagreb for a lifelong contribution to the development of civil society and quality of life.

The recognition was also given to the artistic activities carried out within the Zagreb City Libraries galleries. As part of the Prozori Gallery, multimedia artist Sanja Bistričić Srića created an artist's book that won the Maribor Photobook Award in the Best Photobook from Southeast Europe category. The awardwinning book, If This is true, What Else Must Be? is an artist's book that combines photography, text, and drawing, exploring questions of meaning and perception.

u Knjižnici Tina Ujevića

The Zagreb City Libraries staff also distinguished themselves with poster presentations: Looking into the Night by Luka Blažeković, Ivana Jirsak, and Tamara Kolić won the 1st place at the 6th Green Festival held in Karlovac; while Pseudonyms and Authenticity: Critical Thinking of Cataloguers in the Digital Age by Maja Popović, Nikolina Pucar, and Željka Turk Joksimović won the 1st place at the 28th Archives, Libraries, Museums Seminar: Possibilities of Cooperation in the Global Information Infrastructure Environment held in Osijek.

At the closing ceremony of the World Library and Information Congress (IFLA WLIC) held in Astana (Kazakhstan) in 2025, the Equitable and Accessible Library Services Section (EALS), chaired by our colleague Maela Rakočević Uvodić for the last four years, was awarded the noteworthy professional award IFLA Dynamic Unit and Impact Award for Overall Achievement.

ANNIVERSARIES

August Cesarac Library, Šubićeva – 15 years

Mala Mlaka Library – 30 years

August Cesarac Library, Ravnice – 35 years

Špansko-Jug Library – 35 years

Knežija Library – 40 years

M2 Library – 45 years

Voltino Library – 45 years

Dubrava Library – 75 years

Vrapče Library – 80 years

30th anniversary of the Croatian Section of IBBY at the Croatian Centre for Children's Book

70th anniversary of Information Tuesday

75th anniversary of the City Library Department for Children and Youth City

The new Strategy for the 2026-2030 period builds upon the results of 2025 and numerous other indicators, with a clear focus towards further strengthening of the network, sustainability, technological development, and the role of libraries as the key public spaces of knowledge, culture, and community.

TOP TITLES IN THE ZAGREB CITY LIBRARIES IN 2025

CROATIAN LITERATURE

1. Sigurna kuća / Marina Vujčić

2. Usta puna mora / Jurica Pavičić

3. Nada / Ante Tomić

4. Slučaj vlastite pogibelji / Kristian Novak

5. Listanje kupusa / Igor Beleš

6. Sanjao sam snijeg / Ivana Šojat

7. U kući i u vrtu bilo je mnogo cvijeća: (iz arhive ili dok je život bio cvijeće) / Gabrijela Rukelj Kraškovič

8. Ciganin, ali najljepši / Kristian Novak

9. Fikcija / Ivana Bodrožić

10. Kafić Dan / Dorta Jagić

FOREIGN LITERATURE

1. Forgotten on Sunday / Valérie Perrin

2. Fresh Water for Flowers / Valérie Perrin

3. There are Rivers in the Sky / Elif Shafak

4. The Secret of Secrets / Dan Brown

5. The Housemaid / Freida McFadden

6. Blue Sisters / Coco Mellors

7. Three / Valérie Perrin

8. Wuthering Heights / Emily Brontë

9. The Boyfriend / Freida McFadden

10. Killing Mind / Angela Marsons

NONFICTION

1. Budi financijski fit / Toni Milun, Sandra Ferenčak, Toni Vitali

2. The Let Them Theory / Mel Robbins

3. When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress / Gabor Mate

4. The Anxious Generation / Jonathan Haidt

5. Man's Search for Meaning / Viktor E. Frankl

6. Atomic Habits / James Clear

7. Sonny Boy: A Memoir / Al Pacino

8. Hodanje: poglavlja iz kulturne povijesti / Dubravka Zima

9. Osam dana u svibnju: uspon i pad NDH i rađanje nove Jugoslavije / Boris Rašeta i Goran Gavranović

10. How the World Really Works / Vaclav Smil

LIST OF LIBRARIES

CITY LIBRARY, Starčevićev trg 6, 01 4694 300

BOŽIDAR ADŽIJA LIBRARY, Trg kralja Petra Krešimira IV. 2, 01 4655 025

TIN UJEVIĆ LIBRARY, Ul. grada Vukovara 14, 01 3095 220

KNEŽIJA LIBRARY, Albaharijeva ul. 7, 01 3837 246

LJUBLJANICA LIBRARY, Ljubljanica 24, 01 3640 987

PREČKO LIBRARY, Ul. Josipa Slavenskoga 12A, 01 3882 853

STAGLIŠĆE LIBRARY, Ul. Augusta Prosenika 7, 01 3633 538

VOLTINO LIBRARY, Ul. Dragutina Golika 36, 01 3665 668

DUBRAVA LIBRARY, Av. Dubrava, 51A, 01 2851 788

MEDVEŠČAK LIBRARY, Trg žrtava fašizma 7, 01 4611 481

M2 LIBRARY, Medveščak 71, 01 4666 863

NOVI ZAGREB LIBRARY, Ul. Božidara Magovca 15, 01 6604 088

DUGAVE LIBRARY, Ul. sv. Mateja 7, 01 6623 202

MALA MLAKA LIBRARY STATION, Malomlačka ul. 91, 01 6261 929

SAVSKI GAJ LIBRARY, Nehruov trg 46, 01 6520 439

SLOBOŠTINA LIBRARY, Ul. Karela Zahradnika 8, 01 6640 044

VJEKOSLAV MAJER LIBRARY, Meštrovićev trg 1G, 01 6676 893

AUGUSTA CESAREC LIBRARY, Ul. Pavla Šubića 40/2, 01 2313 066

AUGUSTA CESAREC LIBRARY, RAVNICE, Radauševa 7, 01 2318 729

SESVETE LIBRARY, Trg Dragutina Domjanića 6, 01 2002 064

DUBEC LIBRARY, Ul. Rudolfa Ivankovića 34, 01 2922 208

JELKOVEC LIBRARY, Ul. Vladimira Stahuljaka 3, 01 6443 510

SELČINA LIBRARY, Selčinska ul. 8, 01 2000 153

S. S. KRANJČEVIĆ LIBRARY, Zapoljska ul. 1, 01 2318 596

IVANA BRLIĆ-MAŽURANIĆ LIBRARY, Ul. Joze Laurenčića 8, 01 6144 533

ANTE KOVAČIĆ CITY LIBRARY, Trg žrtava fašizma 6, Zaprešić, 01 3310 290

MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE, Ul. Dragutina Golika 36, 01 3665 075

MARIJA JURIĆ ZAGORKA LIBRARY, Krvavi most 2, 01 4813 993

MARIN DRŽIĆ LIBRARY, Ul. grada Vukovara 222, 01 6151 697

MARIN DRŽIĆ CHILDREN’S LIBRARY, Av. Marina Držića 10, 01 6158 273

IVAN GORAN KOVAČIĆ LIBRARY, Ul. grada Vukovara 35, 01 6171 730

SAVICA LIBRARY, Ul. Ljerke Šram 4, 01 6115 927

BOGDAN OGRIZOVIĆ LIBRARY AND READING ROOM, Preradovićeva ul. 5, 01 4810 704

VLADIMIR NAZOR LIBRARY, Vodovodna ul. 13, 01 3703 414

VN READING ROOM AND GALLERY, Ilica 163A, 01 3770 896

GAJNICE LIBRARY, Meksička ulica 6, 01 3454 031

KAJFEŠOV BRIJEG LIBRARY, Ul. grada Gualda Tadina 4, 01 3704 185

KUSTOŠIJA LIBRARY, Ilica 312A, 01 3750 173

PODSUSED LIBRARY, Podsusedski trg 3, 01 3490 442

ŠPANSKO – JUG LIBRARY, Ul. Slavka Batušića 4, 01 3897 993

ŠPANSKO – SJEVER LIBRARY, Trg Ivana Kukuljevića 9, 01 3898 001

VRAPČE LIBRARY, Ul Majke Terezije 2, 01 3456 576

GORNJE VRAPČE LIBRARY STATION, Trg Stjepana Severa 1, 01 3487 060

List of programmes co-financed by the City Office for Culture and Civil Society of the City of Zagreb, Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, and Zagreb County

9th Mountaineering Week in Zaprešić – Zagreb County

55th Poetic Meeting of Zaprešić Children – Zagreb County

65 Plus – City Office for Culture and Civil Society

Windows Bibliotheca: Question Books - Research Project – Sanja Bistričić Srića’s Artist’s Book – City Office for Culture and Civil Society, Ministry of Culture and Media

Reader Seeks Author – Ministry of Culture and Media

Literary Clubs in the Zagreb City Libraries Network – City Office for Culture and Civil Society

Digitised Zagreb Heritage – City Office for Culture and Civil Society, Ministry of Culture and Media

Oblok Gallery – City Office for Culture and Civil Society

Prozori Gallery – City Office for Culture and Civil Society, Ministry of Culture and Media

VN Gallery – City Office for Culture and Civil Society, Ministry of Culture and Media

Croatian Mythical Heritage of the (Early) Middle Ages – Ministry of Culture and Media

Interfacing Reality – City Office for Culture and Civil Society, Ministry of Culture and Media

Library Doors Wide Open – City Office for Culture and Civil Society

2025 Month of the Croatian Book – Ministry of Culture and Media

Ask Librarians – Online Reference Services – Ministry of Culture and Media

Ready, Set... Library! – Ministry of Culture and Media

Pudercuker, Sweet Encounters – Ministry of Culture and Media

Rhythm X – City Office for Culture and Civil Society, Ministry of Culture and Media

Picturebook: Media at the Intersection of Art and Learning - on Polyphonic Illustration – City Office for Culture and Civil Society, Ministry of Culture and Media

List of programmes co-financed by the City Office for Culture and Civil Society of the City of Zagreb, Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, and Zagreb County

Professional meeting commemorating 30 years of the Croatian Section of IBBY and 75 years of the City Library Department for Children and Youth – Ministry of Culture and Media

Let’s Meet Other and Diverse People – City Office for Culture and Civil Society

Zaprešić Short Story – Zagreb County

Green Library for Green Zagreb – City Office for Culture and Civil Society, Ministry of Culture and Media

The report was prepared in the Zagreb City of Libraries Research and Development Department on the basis of annual reports prepared by:

Ivan Babić, head of the Sesvete Library network

Marija Bartolić, coordinator of the Digitised Zagreb Heritage project

Višnja Cej, advisor to the director for branch libraries

Svjetlana Ciglar, head of the Vladimir Nazor Library network

Aleksandra Cvitković, head of the August Cesarac Library network

Nika Čabrić, head of the Mobile Library Service

Božica Dragaš, head of the Marin Držić Library network

Ivančica Đukec Kero, MSc, head of Research and Development Department

Rajka Gjurković Govorčin, redactor of the online catalogue

Lucija Hodžajev, head of the Tin Ujević Library network

Ivan Jelić, head of the Božidar Adžija Library

Dorotea Kerni, head of the Central Library of Albanians

Jasmina Kenda, coordinator of the Central Procurement Department

Iva Klak Mršić, MSc, coordinator of the Affiliate American Corner Zagreb

Jasna Kovačević, PhD, head of the Bogdan Ogrizović Library and Reading Room

Luka Kvesić, head of the Medveščak Library network

Iva Lorković, head of Silvije Strahimir Kranjčević Library network

Janja Maras, Erasmus+ ambassador

Ismena Meić, head of City Library

Sunčica Ostoić, PhD, director of the Zagreb City Libraries

Maja Pranić, head of the Marija Jurić Zagorka Library

Đurđica Pugelnik, head of the Dubrava Library

Tihana Rašeta, head of the Novi Zagreb Library network

Berislav Stipetić, head of the IT Department

Vanja Štalec Obradović, chief editor of the Zagreb City Libraries social networks

Katarina Todorcev Hlača, head of the Central Library of Rusyns and Ukrainians of the Republic of Croatia

Tatjana Vrdoljak, head of the Ante Kovačić City Library, Zaprešić