The document discusses trends in public libraries and how they are adapting to remain relevant in a digital world. It explores how libraries are transforming their physical spaces to encourage knowledge sharing and community engagement. Examples are given of the Seattle, Salt Lake City, and New York public libraries and how they are reimagining their missions and roles within their urban contexts through flexible spaces, virtual archives, and initiatives that get people inspired and connected to knowledge. In conclusion, modern libraries are becoming more dialogical places that can flexibly address the needs of their cities and patrons through new organizational models and standards that foster active, critical thinking and engagement.

1. The Global Library:
Fluid Space, Virtual Access, and Urban Context

2. libraries and cities

3. the archive: physical and virtual access

4. public space and knowledge acquisition:
transformative spaces

7. the global archive

8. global trends and the global archive

9. urban development

10. Seattle’s Public Library “Libraries for all”

17. Salt Lake City Public Library – “The City Library”
…to engage the city’s imagination and aspirations….

31. New York Public Library “Discover, connect, get inspired”

35. Conclusions:
• places to think with
• flexibility in addressing contextual factors: of the city
and of the constituents where high standards are
expected
• new organizational structures
• dialogical space: active and critical engagement