Article | | By Hans Pul
What's the role of libraries in the digital age, now that ever more information is available anywhere? How did the rise of the internet and smartphones affect this century old institution? What new opportunities for participation does technology offer and how does this affect local authorities? During my second day of the multidisciplinary City of Flows conference in Potsdam, Germany last month, these and other questions were addressed.
Libraries as a Place, Space & Relation
A first perspective on how libraries can still be relevant institutions in the digital age was offered by Knud Schulz , who has worked in the Aarhus library (Denmark) for over 20 years. Based on experiences with new library concepts and projects, his library is currently constructing a new building called the Aarhus Urban Mediascape. Schulz emphasized that a library should be seen as a place, as a space and as a relation. Developing the library as relation means to develop and present information in cooperation with other cultural institution, local civil society and residents. The library as a place relates to the library as a hub in a city's fabric, while the library as a space is constituted by the social aspect (meeting others, community center, concerts, platform for local debates, etc.) and the bodily aspect (comfy chair, great architecture, the library cafe, etc.). This concept puts the user (rather than books) at the center of the library and offers a bodily and social experience that virtual interaction cannot offer, at least not in the same way. [Read more...]
Libraries as a Place, Space & Relation
A first perspective on how libraries can still be relevant institutions in the digital age was offered by Knud Schulz , who has worked in the Aarhus library (Denmark) for over 20 years. Based on experiences with new library concepts and projects, his library is currently constructing a new building called the Aarhus Urban Mediascape. Schulz emphasized that a library should be seen as a place, as a space and as a relation. Developing the library as relation means to develop and present information in cooperation with other cultural institution, local civil society and residents. The library as a place relates to the library as a hub in a city's fabric, while the library as a space is constituted by the social aspect (meeting others, community center, concerts, platform for local debates, etc.) and the bodily aspect (comfy chair, great architecture, the library cafe, etc.). This concept puts the user (rather than books) at the center of the library and offers a bodily and social experience that virtual interaction cannot offer, at least not in the same way. [Read more...]
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