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IREX Global Libraries. April 19, 2010 by Ari Katz Visiting the libraries in Finland really makes you question your perception of what a library is, and I think I’m not alone among the participants in last week’s Global Libraries peer learning meeting in thinking about this issue.

IREX Global Libraries

On Tuesday, we visited the Sello library, part of the Espoo City Library system. Located adjacent to a big shopping mall, the library is a giant architectural wonder, a huge modern building with open spaces, comfortable stylish furniture, and numerous sections devoted to different purposes, from quiet spaces to computer use to thematic presentations and art exhibitions. The library is full of books, but there are also many other options for visitors. While we were there, there was a Chinese calligrapher giving a demonstration in the central space of the library. But there were also other things going on – some pretty far from my normal perceptions of what a library does. 9minutes Ccc. EWSI. The Role of Libraries in Communities, The Global Street Concept and Civil Participation In Society.

What's the role of libraries in the digital age, now that ever more information is available anywhere?

The Role of Libraries in Communities, The Global Street Concept and Civil Participation In Society

How did the rise of the internet and smartphones affect this century old institution? What new opportunities for participation does technology offer and how does this affect local authorities? During my second day of the multidisciplinary City of Flows conference in Potsdam, Germany last month, these and other questions were addressed. Libraries as a Place, Space & Relation A first perspective on how libraries can still be relevant institutions in the digital age was offered by Knud Schulz , who has worked in the Aarhus library (Denmark) for over 20 years. Based on experiences with new library concepts and projects, his library is currently constructing a new building called the Aarhus Urban Mediascape. The new role of libraries in the digital age was also addressed by Nathalie Vallet, who studies libraries in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Ccg_rapport_uk_download. EWSI. DENMARK From ‘book container’ to community centre. Lessons from Community Centre Gellerup Libraries in disadvantaged neighbourhoods have redefined their role from serving as ‘containers for books’ to ac-ting as agents in community empowerment processes.

DENMARK From ‘book container’ to community centre

Libraries engage in a wide range of activities from creating open learning centres for information technology to bridge ‘the digital divide’ to providing homework assistance for local children from ethnic minorities. In the process of repositioning themselves libraries can create empowering networks to local welfare institutions and voluntary associations, housing associations and citizens and sometimes invent new organizational forms. In shaping and adjusting their services in response to local needs and in close collaboration with citizens, libraries can be seen as examples of user-driven innovation worthy of interest way beyond the world of librarians. CCG_in_Lisbon. MEDIASPACE – Aarhus’ new community centre – Marie Østergård. Marie Østergård Involvement of the community and users is the only way to create a library that will be adaptable and flexible enough to meet the future.

MEDIASPACE – Aarhus’ new community centre – Marie Østergård

MEDIASPACE is the working title of Aarhus’ new main library and Citizens’ Services that opens in 2014 on the harbour front of Aarhus. It is meant to be the city’s centre of knowledge and culture, focusing on people – an open democratic community. As a result of the digital revolution and the transformation from information society into knowledge society it has become increasingly necessary to rethink the physical framework of libraries so that, in the future, libraries will not only be temples of books where physical media are stored and distributed, but open democratic spaces of learning and experience where knowledge is exchanged and disseminated.

MEDIASPACE is planned to be approximately 30.000 m2 of which app. 10.000 m2 will be rented out for partners and network from a diversity of sectors. Like this: Like S'està carregant... Herredsvang2013.