Today I make presentation at NEXT LIBRARY in the session REACH OUT - HOW TO ORGANIZE AND RUN A STRONG LIBRARY ORGANIZATION IN 2011 I’m going to tell a little about Danish libraries, the special structure in The Danish Libraryassociation, and how we influence the political system, or cooperate directly whit the politicians. see http://biblioteksdebat.blogspot.com/

1. NEXT library REACH OUT - How to organize and run a strong library organization in 2011 Michel Steen-Hansen msh@dbf.dk

2. Short introduction DLA ( the Danish Library Association) has a special association structure of local politicians as well as library professionals on the Council. Our President Vagn Ytte Larsen is politician in Odsherred municipality

4. ….a littleaboutme Director of The Danish Library Association from December 2008 Master of Science (history and geography) Roskilde University Former : Director Slagelse and Ringsted Library Head of a historical archivein Ringsted Chairman of Denmark's archiveorganization Michel Steen-Hansen Director of The Danish Library Associationmsh@dbf.dk www.dbf.dk Let's Link?: linkedin.com/in/saintmichels twitter.com/saintmichels facebook.com/saintmichels

5. 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.

6. It seems that development lead to fewer and fewer libraries, but bigger and better libraries………..I hope!

11. 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)

13. 2011 - 87 of 98 Municipalities, representing 95,7 %

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

15. Other cultural associations

18. Raising awareness and debate on relevant matters

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

20. National and regional library conferences on hot topics

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

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

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

25. Three major challenges for the library Integrate library services in daily lives of citizens Develop new services from user driven innovation Reach out with offers relevant to the whole population

26. 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.

27. Bringing the libraries onto the political agenda - Let’s do it together !

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

29. The Newest library act in Denmark 18 May 2000

31. more than just books

32. developedtogetherwithusers

33. contributes to the knowledge society

36. Social technologies are entering the library

37. User driven innovation is a must

38. The library space is becoming the medium – users define it

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

40. Lifelong learning and promotion of various literacy programmes

42. 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

47. BringingLibraries On the agenda - Let’s do it together ! Michel Steen-Hansen msh@dbf.dk www.dbf.dk http://biblioteksdebat.blogspot.com/ Let's Link?: linkedin.com/in/saintmichels twitter.com/saintmichels facebook.com/saintmichels

48. Chicago Public Library

49. Remarkable Danish library buildings and projects clockwise from top-left: Black Diamond/The Royal Library Naerum Gymnasium Library Middelfart ”KulturØen” PL + Experimental Search/ Aarhus PLHjoerring Experience PL