Christian Lauersen presented on the value and impact of public libraries. He discussed moving beyond quantitative metrics to understand the qualitative, individual experiences and benefits libraries provide citizens. Libraries offer emotional, intellectual, creative and social impacts through their programs, collections, guidance, facilities, and staff. Specifically, libraries function as havens for contemplation, provide enlightenment and perspective, foster togetherness and a sense of community, inspire creativity, and serve as trusted sources of information through the support of library staff. To better communicate libraries' value to society, a new language is needed that is used in political, workplace, library professional, and media contexts.

1. A library visit is not just a number
The value and impact of public libraries
Christian Lauersen
Director of Libraries and Citizens Services
Roskilde Municipality, Denmark
Twitter: @clauersen
The Library Lab: https://christianlauersen.net/
Business Librarians Association Annual Conference 2022

8. New Public Management..

9. .. vs. the bigger picture

10. Method and design

11. “It is only once we have started with individual experience
that we can then work outwards, and understand the
kinds of benefit that culture may have for society, for communities,
for democracy, for public health and wellbeing, for urban life and regional growth”
- The Cultural Value Project (2016)

12. The scaffold for a new language
4 dimension of cultural impact:
The emotional: Awakens feelings and thoughts
The intellectual: Creates conversations and reflections
The creative: Inspire and motivates us to create
The social: Self-cultivation/bildung, belonging and
community
Start with the individual experience!
Data: Quantitative and qualitative

13. What is a library to citizens?
Programs
Collection
Guidance
Physical facilities

14. Haven
The public library is a
haven in everyday life, where citizens find
room for contemplation and
take time for themselves and each other

15. Perspective
The public library is a crediable communicator
of knowledge and gives citizens enlightenment
and critical perspective on life

16. Community
The public library is a place where citizens
experience togetherness – alone, or with
others – and were they experience that
materials and facilities are a common
property without financial barriers

17. Creativity
The public library is a source
of inspiration, stimulates
imagination and help
motivate citizens to try new
things

18. Staff
Help from staff at public libraries
holds significant impact; The staff is the
human face of the library and serves for
many as a relational point of reference in
the local community

19. Trust
The public library is a place where
can you trust what you see and hear

20. Next steps

21. Releasing the design

22. Creating a new language:
• Political arena
• The work place
• Library and cultural professionals
• Media

23. Context
Change the language of the value of the
public library in context of society

24. Thanks for listening
Christian Lauersen
Director for Libraries and Citizen Services
Roskilde Municipality, Denmark
Mail: cula@roskilde.dk
Twitter: @clauersen
The Library Lab: christianlauersen.net
Library Planet: libraryplanet.net
Instagram: @librarylovestories
Seismonaut: https://seismonaut.com/
Roskilde Libraries:
https://www.roskildebib.dk/new-study-
impact-public-libraries-denmark