Redefining the Library in political contextMichel Steen-Hansen Director of The Danish Library Associationwww.dbf.dk

Presentation OutlineIntroduction of myself A bit about meA bit about Denmark and libraries in historic context What started it all the Danish Library Association's history How an organization can exhert political influence ex. the Danish Library Association building Challenges (for the organization and the Libraries)Future Trends and developments

Redefining the Library in political context How to make the political decision-makers understand, promote and finance these changes.Michel Steen-Hansen Director of The Danish Library Associationmsh@dbf.dkwww.dbf.dk

Short introductionDLA ( the Danish Library Association) has a special association structure of local politicians as well as library professionals on the Council. Issue: what degree of political consensus is needed in this kind of organizational setup?

What is the meaning ?In other wordsHow do we define the modern library?Why is it so expensive to run modern libraries?How can we make politicians understand the new definition of the modern library and the cost of running it?And why is the library chancing character?

The challenges todayWhatare the major challengesfacinglibraries in the modernknowledge society and the programs wefocusingon?

But first….….a littleaboutmeMichel Steen-HansenDirector of The Danish Library Association from December 2008Master of Science (history and geography) Roskilde University Former :Director for Slagelse LibraryHead of a historical archivein RingstedChairman of Denmark's archiveorganization

Free of chargeIn Denmark almost all the Libraries are funded by tax. We have 98 municipalities and all of them are obligated, by legislation, to have a library andto finance it.In Denmark there is free and equal access to the libraries, meaning that basic service must be free of charge for the public.

It seems that development lead to fewer and fewer libraries, but bigger and better libraries………..I hope!Kilde: Styrelsen for Bibliotek og Medier

The Book BusA example from Ringsted in 2000

Library in Ringsted1920

You are welcome at the library

Don’t forget usWe have to explain who we are, if we want the politicians to remember and understand the modern library

Bringing the libraries onto the political agenda

New library act in Denmark 18 May 2000

Library Association structure The Danish Library Association is organized on the basis of a number of local associations working on regional level.These local associations elect representatives to the Council of the National association. The Council elects from within its members, an Executive Committee with ten members including a President, who is always a politician, and two vice presidents (one of them is a library professional)

DLA Organisation

Who are the DLA members?Danish municipalities, represented by their politiciansLibrary decision makers and professionals as well as library associations and – institutionsOther cultural associationsStudents of the Royal Library School

Danish municipalities, represented by their politicians

Library decision makers and professionals as well as library associations and – institutions

Other cultural associations

Students of the Royal Library School

DLA VisionTo support democracy development by promoting free and equal access to information for all Danish citizensTo further the development of Danish libraries – in particular the public librariesTo influence and stimulate library development through lobbying and political work – nationally and locallyTo further library development through cooperation between politicians, librarians and library related institutions

To support democracy development by promoting free and equal access to information for all Danish citizens

To further the development of Danish libraries – in particular the public libraries

To influence and stimulate library development through lobbying and political work – nationally and locally

To further library development through cooperation between politicians, librarians and library related institutions

DLA ObjectivesThe association shallAdvocate for library development towards city councils e.g. Danish municipalitiesSecure its members influence on library development issuesServe as an inspirational network for local and national politicians, library employees and others taking an interest in libraries and the information and cultural sectors.

Advocate for library development towards city councils e.g. Danish municipalities

Secure its members influence on library development issues

Serve as an inspirational network for local and national politicians, library employees and others taking an interest in libraries and the information and cultural sectors.

Membership figure200893 of 98 Municipalities Representing 95% ofPopulation 5,5 mil.

Membership 2008

How does DLA workwww.dbf.dk

Lobbying towards all relevant decision makersRaising awareness and debate on relevant mattersDB Annual Meeting – is the meeting place for politicians and the public library sector National and regional library conferences on hot topicsCarrying out, initiating and participating in library projects and surveysParticipating in official hearings/central committees nationally and internationallyHow does DLA workAnnual Meeting 2009

Lobbying towards all relevant decision makers

Raising awareness and debate on relevant matters

DB Annual Meeting – is the meeting place for politicians and the public library sector

National and regional library conferences on hot topics

Carrying out, initiating and participating in library projects and surveys

Participating in official hearings/central committees nationally and internationally

ChallengesSupport transformation of Yesterday’s Library to The 21st Century LIBRARY (physical and digital)Make politically approved library strategies on a National and Local level Focus on the Local Government and the local election in 2009

A policy should guide us between two extremesUTOPIA –ITC is exploited to createthe ultimate library:integrated access toknowledge, culture andsupport in the daily lives of all citizens…DYSTOPIA – Libraries cannot pay prices on download of copyrightedmaterial – access becomesrestricted along with digitalmonopolies. Digital dividewidens and social tensiongrow

There is a route – but it is stonyWe should avoid Dystopia and fight for UtopiaDevelop a vision for the ’new public library’Create strategies on a local, national and European level (and global perhaps?)Run projects with new servicesTake the library out to where people are nowBuild partnerships andBecome part of ’new public service’

We should avoid Dystopia and fight for Utopia

Develop a vision for the ’new public library’

Create strategies on a local, national and European level (and global perhaps?)

Run projects with new services

Take the library out to where people are now

Build partnerships and

Become part of ’new public service’

New narrative frameWe need to create a new narrative frameCreate a definition for what the modern library is Constantly debating how to describe it.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs ChartTraditional Modern Self- ActualizationEsteem NeedsSocial NeedsSafety NeedsPhysiological Needs

The modernlibraryis an house of identitymore than just booksdevelopedtogetherwithuserscontributes to the knowledge society create community benefits and social capital

is an house of identity

more than just books

developedtogetherwithusers

contributes to the knowledge society

create community benefits and social capital

New trends- where are we?Digital content is already dominatingSocial technologies are entering the library User driven innovation is a mustThe library space is becoming the medium –users define itNew public value and a new commitment to serve all kinds of usersLifelong learning and promotion of various literacy programmesPartnerships help the library to serve outside the walls –wherepeopleare

Digital content is already dominating

Social technologies are entering the library

User driven innovation is a must

The library space is becoming the medium –users define it

New public value and a new commitment to serve all kinds of users

Lifelong learning and promotion of various literacy programmes

Partnerships help the library to serve outside the walls –wherepeopleare

Three major challenges for the library Integrate library services in daily lives of citizensDevelop new services from user driven innovationReach out with offers relevant to the whole population

Integrate library services in daily liferelevant e-content – journals, e-books, music, films, multimedia,computer-gameson a 24/7 basisdownload should be permitted to relevant platforms: pc’s, reader devices like Kindl, Ipods, cell-phones ….The library space – the third place – should offer lifelong learning opportunities, cultural experience, inspiration & involvement

Examples of films under a MPLC Umbrella License DLA had made

Present new services- user driven innovationLiteracy programs,lifelong learning, e-learning,workshops, bookclubsjob applications, coping withnew technology, meet theartist, maintain yourmotorbike, garden, house…..love, dating at the internet ….and much, much, more

Reach out- relevant offers to the entire populationThink in terms of public serviceWork systematically with new partnerships and varied offers to all segmentsMeet people where they are:on the web, in their homes,in schools, on the job, in the club, at the concert or the football match

'Learn more about IT'We want to:place the library as the institution that ensures that all citizens can get the necessary confidence and skills to exploit the digital opportunities actively work to make citizens aware of many digital self service solutions through education, reduce the IT knowledge gap between parents and children raise awareness of IT as a necessary competence for the continued development of Denmark as a democratic society

Book Start helps children The children get a book package four timesWhen the child is six and 12 months, the library visits the families at home.When the child is 18 months, the family are invited to collect a book package at the libraryBy the child's third birthday, provides an book package in association with daycare in the local area. Libraries organize language stimulation activities for children and give inspiration to parents about children's language and reading.

Book start in SlagelseKirsten Slot Larsen og Arne LarsenEmployees from Slagelse LibrariesBags with logo.You need to recognize the employees from Slagelse libraries

Ammunition for the campaign -in the municipalitiesFortælle hvad Bibliotekerne kan

I hope I made my point of the importance of working politicallyAnd creating a new definition for what the modern library is if we still want the politicians and the public recognition and support we need to put Libraries to the political agenda

BringingLibrariesOn the agenda - Let’s do it together ! Michel Steen-Hansenwww.dbf.dk

See the MovieSee You in DENMARK!Msh@dbf.dkBlack Diamond/The Royal LibraryMultimediahous in Århus

Chicago Public Library

See You in DENMARK!dbf@dbf.dkRemarkable Danish library buildings and projects clockwise from top-left:Black Diamond/The Royal LibraryNaerum Gymnasium LibraryMiddelfart ”KulturØen” PL + Experimental Search/ Aarhus PLHjoerring Experience PL