This article is brought to you by the IFLA Metropolitan Libraries (METLIB) Section

In this era of advancing technology and urbanisation, metropolitan libraries are serving far more than mere book lenders and repositories. They are essential community hubs combating isolation and empowering citizens. The biggest challenge in urban areas today is social isolation and meaningful connection. Public libraries are responding to this issue by providing welcoming spaces for all age groups and backgrounds. The Toronto Public Library in Canada runs a ‘Human Library’ where users can “borrow” people to converse. The State Library of Victoria in Australia organises multilingual story sessions and senior citizen meetings to reduce loneliness and foster inclusion. At the Central State Library in Chandigarh, India, senior citizens are involved as resource persons for children’s workshops.

Besides combating isolation, public libraries are also making efforts towards civic engagement through forums, voter drives, and educational events. The Oodi Library in Helsinki, Finland serves as a living room for the city, hosting citizen forums, debates, and co-creation spaces where residents can contribute to local planning and policy discussions. In India, public libraries host awareness sessions on government schemes, public health, and environmental issues, empowering citizens to participate in civic life more actively. In South Africa, the Johannesburg City Libraries support civic education programmes and youth leadership training to encourage active citizenship among young people.

Metropolitan libraries also play an important role in bridging the digital divide. Free internet facilities, loaned hotspots, along with computers and digital literacy classes are offered in metropolitan libraries. The New York Public Library offers free Wi-Fi and digital literacy classes for seniors & low-income communities. Cape Town City Library, South Africa runs Digital Inclusion Hubs that offer Wi-Fi, job application assistance, and skills training in MS Office and Google Suite. Berlin Central Library, Germany offers Digital Counseling Desks which are conducted by volunteers who help with filling forms, and also provide e-government portals, health apps, and even multilingual tech guides tailored for immigrants and refugees.

IFLA’s Metropolitan Libraries Section (MetLib) offers continuing education to help metropolitan libraries around the globe serve their communities. MetLib has annual conferences on various themes important in urban areas such as sustainability, inclusivity, democracy, fostering resilience, and others featured in SDG Goals. Upcoming in October 2025 in Toronto, is a MetLib conference “From Isolation to Social Connection: Libraries & Wellbeing.” The MetLib Learning Circle has just launched its third year of a 12-month talent development program that enables participants from metropolitan libraries to build international networks, access cutting-edge library innovations worldwide, understand urban planning dynamics, and receive mentorship from experienced and innovative library leaders. Through making such opportunities for staff development available to metropolitan libraries, MetLib is enhancing the capacity of urban libraries to empower their communities.

Author: Dr Neeza Singh, Librarian, T.S. Central State Library, Chandigarh, India and Member, IFLA Metropolitan Libraries (METLIB) Section