Mobile libraries from around the world meet in Luxembourg

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Bicherbus

On 5 and 6 September 2026, Luxembourg hosted the International Congress of Mobile Libraries. Organised at the National Library in the presence of Minister of Culture Eric Thill, the event brought together professionals from several countries to share their experiences and reflect on the future of mobile libraries.

The first day focused on best practices and developments in the profession. The presentations addressed a wide range of topics, including serving rural areas, route planning, the role of mobile libraries in crisis situations and their social function. In the afternoon, discussions continued around the mobile library of the future, with projects focusing on local outreach, open library concepts, new technologies and mobility.

Photos

  1. Mobile library professionals from around the world took part in the congress.

    © Kary Barthelmy

  2. (l.t.r.) Eric Thill and Michel Molinaro

    © Kary Barthelmy

  3. Mobile library professionals from around the world took part in the congress.

    © Kary Barthelmy

  4. On Sunday 6 September, the mobile libraries welcomed the public on the forecourt of the Coque in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.

    © Kary Barthelmy

  5. Inside a mobile library

    © Kary Barthelmy

  6. On Sunday 6 September, the mobile libraries welcomed the public on the forecourt of the Coque in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.

    © Kary Barthelmy

  7. On Sunday 6 September, the mobile libraries welcomed the public on the forecourt of the Coque in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.

    © Kary Barthelmy

  8. On Sunday 6 September, the mobile libraries welcomed the public on the forecourt of the Coque in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.

    © Kary Barthelmy

  9. (l.t.r.) Claude D. Conter, Eric Thill, Michel Molinaro

    © Kary Barthelmy

In his welcome address, BnL Director Claude D. Conter stressed that mobile libraries have lost none of their relevance in the digital age. While digitisation provides immediate access to documents, the mobile library offers a space for meeting and communication based on human contact.

In Luxembourg, this mission is carried out by the BnL’s Bicherbus, which operates 15 weekly routes and serves more than 80 localities across the country.

For Michel Molinaro, head of the Bicherbus and initiator of the meeting, the congress was above all “an opportunity to build connections between professionals facing different realities. Exchanges, meetings and the sharing of experiences generate new ideas and, sometimes, even new projects”.

On Sunday 6 September, the mobile libraries welcomed the public on the forecourt of the Coque in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.

Over two days, the congress highlighted a shared conviction that extends beyond national borders: a mobile library does more than transport books. It reaches out to citizens and creates spaces where people can access knowledge.

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