Libraries Of The Future

Libraries of the Future: A Public Sector Perspective

Chris Batt

Public Knowledge in a Networked World

“ We cannot be sure that someone born at the beginning of the 21 st century will have any particular nostalgia for a paper book” Which future are we talking about?

Global financial crisis Climate change Technological change and diffusion We struggle to make sense of today

PRIVATE SECTOR media, retail, music industry PUBLIC SECTOR Reports, pipes, institutional juggernauts THIRD SECTOR social networking and influence Different sectors, different speeds

SWOT the public library

New builds The People’s Network Pre-school engagement Innovation Reading groups S

“ Public library leaders display stronger transformational leadership behaviours” DCMS, MLA, CILIP, LGA, CLG, DCSF, SCL Fragmented The leadership paradox Lack of resources to explore a collective present ££££? W DCMS, MLA, CILIP, LGA, CLG, DCSF, SCL DCMS, MLA, CILIP, LGA, CLG, DCSF, SCL

Knowledge and creativity Learning for life Network and brand potential Knowledge management Community interface O

Networked library Community place of encounter

Development

agency

X O

Public good value not recognised Lack of national coherence Private sector creep T Failure to plan for change

Library workers of the country unite Be reflective, do some practical scenario planning Find some new friends Build a common narrative

Out with the education juggernaut, in with the learning society The key questions are not about media wars and exactly when change will happen We must ask, “what are the unique and enduring roles of libraries and how, at any given time, do we ensure they deliver maximum value to the user?” From librarian to knowledge warrior

A knowledge sector that can… mediate define manage … the public landscape of the learning society lead Content first, institution second It’s a big landscape folks! From librarian to knowledge warrior

New skills, new structures, new partnerships From librarian to knowledge warrior

A mission to remove all barriers to access The new revolutionaries From librarian to knowledge warrior

The integration of knowledge into everyday life Empower every citizen to want to learn and discover more about the world every day