Summary from presentations by Michel Steen-Hansen at a HIBOLIRE seminar in Copenhagen, December 14-15, 2009 Will the library spirit continue in the future? Yes….. – if we redefine the Library in a political context The question then is, how to make the political decision-makers understand, promote and finance these changes. I think our major challenges just now is to describe a new narrative frame to get public recognition New narrative frame for the libraries We need to create a new narrative frame, or should I say, create a definition for what the modern library is and we need to keep debating how to describe it. We need to develop strategies to gain access to the politicians to convince them of the continued relevance of libraries in modern society. See the hole Summary http://biblioteksdebat.blogspot.com/2009/12/will-library-spirit-continue-in-future.html

1. Library Spirit in the Nordic and Baltic Countries 1909 - 2009 Will the library spirit continue in the future? Michel Steen-Hansen Director of The Danish Library Associationmsh@dbf.dkbiblioteksdebat.blogspot.com/ www.dbf.dk

2. Presentation Outline A bit about The Danish Library Association Denmark and the libraries Challenges for the Libraries Future Trends and developments

3. Will the library spirit continue in the future? Yes- ifweredefine the Library in a political context The question then is, how to make the political decision-makers understand, promote and finance these changes.

4. What is the meaning ? How 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?

5. The challenges today Whatare the major challengesfacinglibraries in the modernknowledge society?

6. New narrative frame We need to create a new narrative frame Create a definition for what the modern library is Constantly debating how to describe it.

7. But first…. ….a littleaboutme and The Danish Library Association Michel Steen-Hansen Director of The Danish Library Association from December 2008 Master of Science (history and geography) Roskilde University Former : Director for Slagelse Library Head of a historical archivein Ringsted Chairman of Denmark's archiveorganization

8. Short introduction The Danish Library Association (DLA) has a special structure of local politicians as well as library professionals on the Council.

9. Free of charge In 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 and to 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.

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

11. Library in Ringsted1920

13. You are welcome at the library

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

15. Bringing the libraries onto the political agenda

16. 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)

17. DLA Organisation

18. How does DLA work www.dbf.dk

20. Raising awareness and debate on relevant matters

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

22. National and regional library conferences on hot topics

23. Carrying out, initiating and participating in library projects and surveys

24. Participating in official hearings/central committees nationally and internationallyHow does DLA work Annual Meeting 2009

25. Challenges Support transformation of Yesterday’s Library to The 21st Century LIBRARY (physical and digital)

26. A policy should guide us between two extremes UTOPIA –IT 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

28. Develop a vision for the ’new public library’

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

30. Take the library out to where people are now

31. Run projects with new services

32. Build partnerships and

34. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Chart Traditional Modern Self- Actualization Esteem Needs Social Needs Safety Needs Physiological Needs

36. more than just books

37. developedtogetherwithusers

38. contributes to the knowledge society

40. We have Google and all the social technologies as facebook, Twitter…….

41. We talking globalization

43. Integrate library services in daily life relevant e-content – journals, e-books, music, films, multimedia,computer-games on a 24/7 basis download 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

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

45. Reach out- relevant offers to the entire population Think in terms of public service Work systematically with new partnerships and varied offers to all segments Meet 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

46. The modern library I hope I made my point of the importance of working politically And 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

47. BringingLibraries On the agenda - Let’s do it together ! Michel Steen-Hansen The Danish Library Associationmsh@dbf.dkbiblioteksdebat.blogspot.com/ www.dbf.dk

48. See the Movie Black Diamond/The Royal Library Multimediahous in Århus

49. Chicago Public Library