Post on 14-May-2015
description
Redefining the Library in political context
Michel Steen-HansenDirector of The Danish Library Association
www.dbf.dk
Presentation Outline
• Introduction of myself – A bit about me
• A 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-HansenDirector of The Danish Library Associationmsh@dbf.dk
www.dbf.dk
Short introduction
• DLA ( 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 ?• 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?
In other words
The challenges today
• What are the major challenges facing libraries in the modern knowledge society and the programs we focusing on?
But first…. ….a little about me
• 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 archive
in Ringsted– Chairman of Denmark's
archive organization
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.
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Bogbusser
68 66 64 64 59 59 56 50 57 56 53 52 52 52 51 48 44 42 40 31
Fil-ialer
788 738 717 675 651 653 651 651 593 586 545 529 503 501 484 467 428 422 420 422
Hovedbiblioteker
250 250 250 250 253 250 249 249 250 250 251 252 245 244 229 227 224 222 221 97
100
300
500
700
900
1100
Public libraries1988-2007
Hovedbib-liotekerFilialerBogbusser
Kilde: Styrelsen for Bibliotek og Medier
It seems that development lead to fewer and fewer libraries, but bigger and better libraries………..I hope!
A example from Ringsted in 2000
The Book Bus
Library in Ringsted1920
You are welcome at the library
Don’t forget us
We 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
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 politicians
Library decision makers and professionals as well as library associations and – institutions
Other cultural associations
Students of the Royal Library School
DLA Vision
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 Objectives
The association shall
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 figure
2008
93 of 98 Municipalities
Representing 95% of
Population 5,5 mil.
Membership 2008
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008
IndividualStudentsInstitutions
How does DLA work
www.dbf.dk
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
How does DLA work Annual Meeting 2009
Challenges
• Support 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 extremes
UTOPIA –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 stony
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 frame
We need to create a new narrative frame
Create a definition for what the modern library is
Constantly debating
how to describe it.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Chart
Traditional Modern
Self- Actualization
Esteem Needs
Social Needs
Safety Needs
Physiological Needs
The modern library
is an house of identity
more than just books
developed together with users
contributes to the knowledge society
create community benefits and social capital
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 –where people are
New trends- where are we?
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
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
Examples of films under a MPLC Umbrella License DLA had made
Present new services- user driven innovation
• Literacy programs,• lifelong learning, • e-learning,• workshops, • bookclubs • job applications, • coping with new technology, • meet the artist, • maintain your motorbike, garden, house…..• love, dating at the internet • ….and much, much, more
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
'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 times• When 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 library
• By 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 Slagelse
Bags with logo.You need to recognize the employees from Slagelse libraries
Kirsten Slot Larsen og Arne LarsenEmployees from Slagelse Libraries
Fortælle hvad Bibliotekerne kan
Ammunition for the campaign -in the municipalities
• 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
Bringing Libraries
On the agenda
- Let’s do it together !
Michel Steen-Hansenwww.dbf.dk
See the Movie
Multimediahous in Århus
See You in DENMARK!Msh@dbf.dk
Black Diamond/The Royal Library
Chicago Public Library
• See You in DENMARK!dbf@dbf.dk
Remarkable Danish library
buildings and projects clockwise
from top-left:
Black Diamond/The Royal
Library
Naerum Gymnasium Library
Middelfart ”KulturØen” PL +
Experimental Search/ Aarhus PL
Hjoerring Experience PL