COPENHAGEN LIBRARIES - Kirjastot.fi

Copenhagen Libraries

The Public Libraries of Copenhagen, Denmark, in partnership with Victorian Public
Library and Information Network (VICLINK), Public Libraries International Network
(PLIN) and Urban Libraries Council (ULC), are happy to announce an international
library conference and symposia October 8-10, 2008.
The venue will be in Vanlose, Copenhagen, at the new combined library and
”Kulturhus”.
The symposium and conference will present a unique opportunity to hear about,
discuss and exchange ideas and inspiration with library directors, staff and trustees
from Denmark and Scandinavia, Europe, United States, Canada and Australia.
The conference will give present examples of best practice from some of the most
advanced public libraries in the world today and focus on the crucial role of public
libraries in modern cities and urban areas.
The conference and symposia will focus on two topics:
Topic A: How libraries can make cities stronger
Topic B: The library as a ”place” in the age of technology
The agenda will include plenary sessions with keynote speakers, symposia for
discussions, networking and sharing of knowledge / experiences, and study trips
to libraries in the Copenhagen area.
The conference will focus primarily on implementation, practice and how to make
change happen. Libraries in Denmark and Scandinavia are among the most
advanced in the world. Operations and services have been developed rapidly in
recent years using the vast opportunities offered by new digital platforms.
Continuous development of innovative ideas and projects, huge numbers of daily
users and a diverse service profile will secure the role of the library as an important
part of everyday life in cities and urban areas for generations.
The main purpose of the conference and the symposia is to discuss how we can
continue and enhance the present success to fit the needs of citizens and cities in
the next decades. The conference and the symposia includes welcome reception
at the historic City Hall, a conference dinner and party at Molthes Palace and the
possibility to enjoy the unique experience of Copenhagen Night of Culture etc.
Full conference agenda, information about Copenhagen, conference hotels,
registration and other practical information will be available at bibliotek.kk.dk/
smartcity.
I hope that you will take the time to attend this exciting event and to share this
information with your colleagues.
Jens Ingemann
Library Director

Wednesday October 8, 2008
16.00 - 18.00 Welcome reception at Copenhagen City Hall
Welcome by:
Cultural Mayor Pia Allerslev and Library Director Jens Ingemann
Opening presentation: Libraries and cultural institutions in a ”Scandinavian
social model”
What is it that characterizes Scandinavian cultural institutions?
What sort of role does the public sector play in cultural life?
Perspectives for libraries according to the Scandinavian social model
- opportunities and limitations!
Henrik Dahl, Head of Development, NIRAS Consultants.
Tour at Copenhagen City Hall and The City Hall Library
18.00 Guided tours and dinner - Optional
Thursday October 9, 2008
Conference venue: Vanlose Library and Kulturhus
09.00 – 10.00 Registration Open and Guided tour at Vanlose Library
10.00 - 10.15 Opening ceremony
Welcome speech by Library Director Jens Ingemann
Topic A: How libraries can make cities stronger
10.15 - 10.45 Presentation 1: The Economic Vale of Libraries
How much are libraries worth economically and as a utility value in
the society? What is it that libraries especially contribute to in local
communities? Can the economic impact of libraries be used as a
strategic tool of development for public libraries?
Patrick Losinski, Director of the Columbus Metropolitak Library, Ohio, USA
10.45 - 11.15 Presentation 2: Public libraries in urban development
Why and how should libraries be incorporated in urban development?
How can libraries contribute to development and culture in urban areas?
Maija Berndtson, City Librarian, Helsinki, Finland

11.15 - 11.30 Break
11.30 - 12.00 Presentation 3: From an industrial area to cultural and experience
centers
Renovation of buildings – renovation of existing libraries and the
conversion of ”old” buildings into libraries.
Keynote speaker (Denmark)
12.00 - 13.00 Lunch
13.00 - 14.00 Transport to the locations of the symposia
14.00 - 17.00 The symposia
The symposia are based on the model, where a presentation is
given on a particular topic followed by a facilitated dialogue among
the participants.
Symposium A: How libraries can make cities stronger
Session 1: The idea of merging libraries with other institutions/functions:
Culture houses, sports facilities, schools, citizen services, etc.
Session 2: Library services to different segments of local communities,
i.e. young people, fiction readers and immigrants.
Symposium B: The library as a ”place” in the age of technology
Session 1: Co-operation between public libraries and research
institutions. From a warehouse to a kaleidoscopic laboratory: four
suggestions about the tasks, requirements and expectations for
public libraries.
Session 2: The ”out-of-house” library: Beach libraries, event
vans, language portals, etc.
In order to connect theory and practice the symposiums will take
place at different locations in the Copenhagen area - one session
per location.
19.30 - Dinner at Moltke’s Palace
An elegant palace in the heart of Copenhagen, which dates back to
the beginning of the eighteenth century - www.moltkes.dk

Friday October 10, 2008
Conference venue: Vanlose Library and Kulturhus
Topic B: The library as a ”place” in the age of technology
09.00 – 09.30 Presentation 1: A physical place – a necessity in an ”online society”
The web has become the primary source of information for citizens
but at the same time there is a great interest in more room for
contemplation. This presentation focuses on how we can make
physical libraries more interesting for citizens.
Debra Rosenfeldt, Manager, Public Libraries, State Library of
Victoria, Australia
09.30 - 10.00 Presentation 2: The virtual ”room” – The library is wherever you are!
The virtual services of libraries are essentially different from classical
library services. The amount of services offered on the net are limited
even though libraries provide access to e-books and other
e-resources. How can we provide virtual resources for citizens at the
right time and place? And how can we create a coherent library
service – which is both virtual and physical?
Keynote speaker (Denmark)
10.00 - 10.15 Coffee break
10.15 - 11.00 Panel debate: What have we learned?
Four panelists from USA, Europe, Australia and Denmark.
11.00 End of conference
11.15 - 14.00 Lunch and end of conference or optional guided tour
to Malmo Public Library (Including lunch in Malmo/Sweden).
Guided travel back to Copenhagen by bus or individually by train if
preferred (at your own expence)
18.00 Copenhagen Night of Culture begins
Copenhagen Night of Culture offers a wide range of posibilities to
see and experience the cultural institutions in Copenhagen. You
may visit the “Black Diamond” (The Royal Library), Copenhagen
Central Library and many other sights.
Enjoy the Copenhagen Night of Culture on your own or together
with good colleagues. www.kulturnatten.dk

PLIN (Public Libraries International Network) was
founded in 2004 by a group of former members
of the International Network of Public Libraries
(INPL), a highly successful network, which from
1996 onwards was generously supported by the
Germany-based Bertelsmann Foundation.
The work in INPL resulted in new knowledge
through practical research reports and PLIN
works for a revival of regular report writing with
the purpose to create and develope attractive
public libraries. http://www.public-libraries.net
ULC (The Urban Libraries Council) is based in USA
and was founded in 1971. It is an American association
of public libraries in metropolitan areas
and the corporations that serve them.
Believing that thriving public libraries are a result
of collaborative leadership, the trustees, library
directors, and corporate officers of member institutions
work together to address shared issues,
grasp new opportunities, and conduct research
that improves professional practice.
http://www.urbanlibraries.org/
VICLINK (Victorian Public Library and Information
Network) is an Australian network and the peak
body for Victorian public libraries, comprising representatives
of every public library in the state.
Viclink was formed in 1989.
Viclink aims to assist, encourage, protect and
promote the interests of people using the library
services and the staff of public libraries. It acts
as a forum for discussion of library issues and to
foster, encourage, promote and enhance collaboration.
http://www.libraries.vic.gov.au/

A strong relationship with innovative partners is needed to develop
good and modern libraries in smart cities. Copenhagen Libraries are
proud to announce that the following companies and organisations
support ”The Smart City and its Libraries”.