A Library to rebuild a community

“Castellina in Chianti is a small town of around 2,500 inhabitants in the heart of Tuscany. Like many small municipalities across the EU, we are facing a gradual decline in social interaction and an increasing risk of isolation, especially among more vulnerable groups. 

This is why we, as Municipality of Castellina in Chianti, decided to invest in our public library and transform it into a vibrant community space. Previously located in a peripheral area with limited access, the renovated Municipal Library “Otello Terzani”  is now back in the historic town centre, in the former tourist office. Today it is an open and multifunctional space, where people can study, meet, and take part in cultural activities. The results were visible immediately. In the first six months, we recorded more than 1,200 visits, with a strong presence of young people. The library has once again become a place of the community’s daily life, where different generations come together. 

Alongside the space itself, we have organised activities aimed at supporting inclusion. One of the most meaningful initiatives we are proud of is an Italian language course for foreign women, organised in cooperation with the adult education school. Many of them were at risk of isolation, with limited opportunities to connect and language barriers that made everyday life more difficult. Today, more than 20 women attend the class regularly, with a great commitment. Through language learning, they are gaining confidence, independence, and new opportunities. Even more important, they are building relationships and becoming part of the community. 

This experience shows that investing in community cultural spaces directly contributes to European priorities such as social inclusion, community resilience, and active citizenship, demonstrating how local action can help bring European values to life in citizen's everyday lives. 

As a member of the EU Local Councillors network, it is particularly powerful to see how a simple space like a library can create connections between people from different cultures and backgrounds, offering an approach that could inspire and be adapted by municipalities across Europe. 

I am sure that starting from places like Castellina in Chianti, we can build a more inclusive and human-centred Europe, building everyday connections between people.” 

Castellina in Chianti is a historic hill town in Tuscany, Italy, renowned for its medieval architecture, Etruscan heritage, and central role in the Chianti wine region. 
Its library is named after Otello Terzani, a young stonemason from the province of Grosseto who lived in the municipality between 1918 and 1920 and played an important role in supporting local democratic institutions.