Twenty-five years ago, a youth librarian in the Netherlands saw a problem that many parents, educators, and librarians are still grappling with today: finding trustworthy information for children online.

The internet was young, search engines were primitive, and digital literacy was barely a concept. Yet even then, librarian Hennie Borstlap recognized that children would increasingly turn to the web for answers—and that someone needed to help them navigate it safely.

What began in 2001 as a simple website built by Borstlap herself using borrowed HTML books and a determination to serve young learners has grown into Jeugdbieb.nl, one of the Netherlands’ most trusted online information resources for children. Today, as Jeugdbieb.nl celebrates its 25th anniversary, it stands as a remarkable example of what can happen when librarians, communities, and mission-driven organizations work together to create lasting public value.

From local invention to national resource

The origins of Jeugdbieb.nl are deeply rooted in public librarianship.

As a youth librarian, Borstlap noticed that while children were beginning to use the internet for school assignments and personal interests, very little online content was designed specifically for them. Reliable information was difficult to find, and much of what existed was written for adults or lacked the quality standards youth librarians expect.

Rather than waiting for someone else to solve the problem, Borstlap started compiling and sharing recommended websites for children. The idea quickly evolved into a dedicated online resource—a curated gateway to trustworthy information and educational content that has since evolved to include news, reading recommendations, videos, podcasts, and learning tools tailored to young audiences.

Over 25 years, Jeugdbieb.nl has grown far beyond its original vision. What started as a local initiative gained national recognition and became embedded in classrooms, school libraries, and public libraries across the Netherlands through SchoolWise and JuniorWise, digital education platforms. The site’s success illustrates a core truth that librarians understand well: access to information is only meaningful when people can find information they can trust.

A need for sustainability and a natural fit for OCLC

As Jeugdbieb.nl got bigger, its long-term future required more than individual passion—it needed sustainable stewardship.

That’s where OCLC came in.

The Dutch library community recognized the value of Jeugdbieb.nl and sought a way to ensure its continued growth and availability, while OCLC saw an opportunity to integrate the resource into products and services already supporting libraries and schools. For a traditionally commercial company, the decision to maintain and continuously improve a free public resource might have been difficult to justify, but OCLC’s mission is different. As a global not-for-profit library organization, OCLC exists to advance libraries and improve access to information. The organization’s model allows it to invest in initiatives that strengthen library services and support learning, even when those efforts aren’t directly tied to revenue generation.

That mission alignment made Jeugdbieb.nl a natural fit. Today, OCLC continues to provide Jeugdbieb.nl free of charge, ensuring that children, educators, and families have access to reliable online information regardless of their circumstances. The result is a partnership that demonstrates how mission-driven organizations can help preserve and scale innovations that originate in local libraries.

Supporting the next generation of learners

The need for resources like Jeugdbieb.nl has only grown more urgent. Children today face a digital environment that is far more complex than the one Borstlap encountered in 2001. Search engines increasingly surface sponsored content, social media platforms compete for attention, and artificial intelligence (AI) can generate convincing but inaccurate information. Misinformation spreads rapidly, even among digitally literate adults. For children, distinguishing between reliable and unreliable information can be especially difficult.

Jeugdbieb.nl addresses that challenge through careful curation and professional oversight. Every resource is evaluated for reliability, age appropriateness, readability, and engagement. The goal isn’t just to provide information, but to provide information that children can understand and use confidently.

The site’s approach mirrors a principle long championed by public libraries around the world: information literacy is a foundational life skill.

In many ways, Jeugdbieb.nl functions as a digital extension of the public library itself—a trusted guide helping young people explore the broader information landscape safely and successfully.

A Dutch success story with global relevance

While Jeugdbieb.nl primarily serves children in the Netherlands, its story resonates far beyond Dutch borders.

Around the world, public libraries are adapting to rapidly changing information environments while continuing to fulfill their essential role as community anchors. They support early literacy, lifelong learning, workforce development, civic participation, and digital inclusion. OCLC has spent decades supporting that work globally. Through shared technology infrastructure, cooperative services, and partnerships with libraries of all types, it helps libraries expand access to knowledge and serve their communities more effectively—and Jeugdbieb.nl represents one example of that broader commitment.

OCLC’s dedication to Jeugdbieb.nl demonstrates how local innovation can be amplified through cooperative support. It shows how investments in children’s services can produce long-term community benefits, and reinforces the idea that libraries remain vital guides in an increasingly complex information ecosystem.

For audiences in the United States, the story may feel especially familiar.

Many of the US’s most impactful library initiatives began with a librarian identifying a local need and creating a practical solution. Whether developing early literacy programs, digital learning services, makerspaces, or community partnerships, public libraries often serve as incubators for innovation that strengthens entire communities. Jeugdbieb.nl follows that same tradition.

Looking ahead

As Jeugdbieb.nl enters its next chapter, the resource continues to evolve.

A fresh design, improved mobile experience, enhanced navigation, and the introduction of a new mascot named Zoevi—a reference to searching (Zoe) and finding (vi)—are helping the platform connect with a new generation of young users. New partnerships and educational collaborations are creating additional opportunities to extend its reach and impact.

Yet the core mission remains unchanged. Twenty-five years ago, Jeugdbieb.nl set out to help children find trustworthy information online. Today, that mission may be more important than ever.

Its longevity is a testament to the vision of a dedicated librarian, the support of the Dutch library community, and the stewardship of OCLC. Together, they have transformed a simple idea into a lasting public good.

At a time when trustworthy information can feel increasingly difficult to find, Jeugdbieb.nl offers a powerful reminder of what libraries do best: connect people with knowledge, foster curiosity, and help communities thrive. For 25 years, it’s done exactly that for children across the Netherlands. And thanks to the ongoing commitment of OCLC and libraries everywhere, its story is far from finished.