Quiet Revolutions Start with Shared Shelves

Some changes sneak in the back door. E-libraries are one of them. They didn’t shout for attention but grew quietly—book by book and byte by byte—until they began reshaping how people access knowledge around the world. Their appeal is simple. Open access. Instant delivery. No shipping fees. No paper waste. And in many regions these digital shelves became lifelines where printed books are scarce or unaffordable.

In remote towns or crowded cities a reliable e-library is often the only place to find specialized texts or niche literature. That’s not a throwaway phrase—it’s a key to understanding what this model does right. Traditional libraries have geographic limits. E-libraries do not. A person in Manila can read the same PDF as someone in Nairobi at the same time and neither one has to wait in line.

Keeping the Doors Open Without the Overhead

Sustainability isn't just about paper and trees. It's also about infrastructure. Physical libraries cost money—staff electricity building maintenance and constant reshelving. E-libraries dodge most of that. Once the tech setup is in place operating costs flatten out. A single server can host thousands of books without taking up space or needing janitorial shifts.

There’s also a kind of quiet resilience to the model. A flood won’t destroy the archives. A political shift won’t erase knowledge printed in black ink and stacked on wooden shelves. And while debates around copyright and access laws continue the fact remains—knowledge flows more freely today than it ever did before. 

What E-Libraries Bring to the Table

Even in their most basic form e-libraries offer more than just convenience. They create chances for learning sharing and understanding that used to be blocked by physical or financial barriers. Here’s where they truly shine:

• Learning Without Borders

Textbooks once locked behind expensive walls now show up as searchable documents. A student in Sudan can study architectural theory from Germany or philosophy from India without needing a plane ticket or a scholarship. This isn't just helpful—it levels the playing field in small but lasting ways.

• A Home for Rare and Forgotten Works

Many titles vanish from store shelves and library stacks after a few years. E-libraries often hold onto them. These digital vaults keep alive poetry collections essay books and scientific journals that would otherwise gather dust or disappear completely. They act like time capsules without the dirt.

• Reading at One’s Own Rhythm

No closing hours no return dates no overdue fees. E-libraries allow people to read on their terms whether that's in the quiet of midnight or during a noisy commute. This flexibility builds habits—some new some rediscovered—and that alone makes them worth the attention.

By keeping knowledge accessible and active e-libraries also help avoid intellectual decay. In societies where reading becomes a habit curiosity thrives and curious people build strong communities. That ripple effect matters more than ever.

The Long Shelf Life of Ideas

Sustainability is often framed in terms of trees oceans and air. But minds need tending too. E-libraries preserve the seeds of knowledge so they can grow again and again without extra cost or waste. They are not replacements for traditional libraries but companions—modern allies in an old fight to keep books within reach.

What began as quiet alternatives have now become cornerstones in education self-growth and cultural preservation. E-libraries don't just store knowledge. They keep it moving.

Global hotel group Accor has expanded its presence in Southeastern Europe with the opening of Novotel Zagreb, the first hotel under the Novotel brand in Croatia.

Located in the eastern part of Zagreb, the new four-star property is just 20 minutes from Franjo Tuđman Airport and 15 minutes from the city centre. It features 163 rooms, six conference halls, a wellness area with a gym and sauna, a private garden and terrace, and a restaurant and lounge bar.

“Through our partnership with Rox, we have created a destination that meets the needs of both tourists and the local community,” said Jean Wendling, Vice President of Operations for Accor Eastern Europe.

The launch strengthens Accor’s regional footprint, with Novotel now operating more than 600 hotels in 60 countries worldwide.

Bank loans to Croatia’s domestic sectors reached 49.3 billion euro at the end of September, up 800 million euro from the previous quarter and 4.4 billion euro higher than a year earlier, according to the Croatian National Bank (HNB).

The annual growth in total loans accelerated to 9.9% in the third quarter, compared with 9.1% at the end of June, the central bank said.

Household borrowing remained the main driver, with total loans to households rising to 26.8 billion euro, including 13.3 billion euro in housing loans and 10 billion euro in general-purpose cash loans. Annual growth in housing loans increased to 14.5%, while overall household credit expanded 14.0% year-on-year.

Loans to non-financial companies totalled 16.9 billion euro, marking a 1.9 billion euro increase from a year earlier.

The HNB, which introduced measures in July to cool borrowing and curb inflation, noted that despite these steps, credit activity — particularly in the housing sector — continues to grow steadily.

Meanwhile, bank deposits rose to 69.2 billion euro, a quarterly increase of 4.5%, though annual growth slowed slightly to 8.2%.

The countdown to the festive season has begun as Dubrovnik prepares for another spectacular Dubrovnik Winter Festival, running from November 29 to January 3, 2026. The city’s streets will sparkle with lights, music, and holiday cheer, culminating in a New Year’s Eve celebration on the world-famous Stradun.

Headlining this year’s celebration is regional superstar Dino Merlin, joined by Hiljson Mandela and rising Croatian talent Jakov Jozinović, whose heartfelt performances and soulful voice have quickly made him one of the most beloved young artists in the region.

“It’s a huge honour to perform in Dubrovnik alongside Dino Merlin and to be part of such a special New Year’s Eve story,” said Jozinović. “Stradun is one of the most beautiful stages in the world, and I can’t wait to feel the energy of the crowd as we welcome the new year together.”

The festival opens on November 29 with a concert by Doris Dragović, followed by performances from Đani Stipaničev with klapas Ragusavecchia and More, Vanna, Parni Valjak, Dražen Zečić, and Željko Bebek. For the youngest visitors, Jacques Houdek will lead the Children’s New Year’s Eve celebration, while the first days of 2026 will feature Petar Grašo and Tomislav Bralić & Klapa Intrade.

Beyond the music, the festival promises a full lineup of cultural, gastronomic, and family events. Visitors can enjoy a Christmas train, skating rink, open-top holiday bus, creative workshops, festive concerts, theatre shows, and exhibitions — all adding to Dubrovnik’s magical holiday glow.

Organised by the City of Dubrovnik, the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, and the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, in collaboration with local cultural institutions and public companies, the Dubrovnik Winter Festival continues to be a celebration for all generations — bringing together tradition, joy, and community spirit.

For full programme details, visit www.dubrovackizimskifestival.comor follow @dubrovnikwinterfestival on Instagram and DuWinterFest on Facebook.

@du.winter.festival ????Još malo nas dijeli do kraja 11. DZF, a u reelu se prisjetimo lijepih trenutaka koji su nas oduševili proteklog tjedna diljem Grada.????❄️ @Grad Dubrovnik @experiencedubrovnik @vspvideo #dubrovackizimskifestival #dubrovnikwinterfestival #11DZF #11DWF #dubrovnik #experiencedubrovnik #winteriscoming #winterindubrovnik #wintervibes #winterfun #croatia #advent #adventugradukolendara #zima #zadjecu #djecjiprogram #djecjifestival #forkids #kidsprogramme #kidsfestival #family ♬ original sound - Dubrovnik Winter Festival