Alcântara World Café: Lisbon Public Libraries Network and NOVA University Partnership within Communities’ Processes of Participation

Abstract:In November 2018, the New University of Lisbon, Portugal (NOVA FCSH) and the Municipality of Lisbon entered into a partnership with the intention of developing participatory researching practices related to the Lisbon Public Libraries’ network (BLX). One partnership developed through the use of a World Café—an initiative of BLX in conjunction with the Master of Information Curation and Management program at NOVA FCSH during 2019. In a review of initial outcomes, this article discusses the alignment of organizational strategies and academic research in the processes of gathering evidence for and generating advocacy toward a new library service model—Alcântara—based on a collaborative relationship between librarians and communities. This new service model aims to implement the Strategic Program Library XXI (2012), which was created by the Municipality of Lisbon. An integrated management approach was used, aligning three dimensions: a library vision for the community needs, the participation and involvement of some of the local stakeholders in an Alcântara World Café, and the library and information services (LIS) strategic analysis with students’ contributions for the discussion and coevaluation methods. The study recognizes the importance of trust, mutual respect, compromise, shared decision making, and reciprocity in planning and setting priorities among partners.