Debate: What is the Library of the Future?

For the last 9 months, JISC has been running a campaign considering the issues facing Libraries of the Future. This Libraries of the Future Questions and Answer Debate closed this campaign.

For the last 9 months, Jisc has been running a campaign considering the issues facing Libraries of the Future. This Libraries of the Future Questions and Answer Debate will close this campaign.

Blog posts and comments from the debate

What is the library of the future? This public question and answer debate will discuss what information and library provision mean in these changing times; technology has had a huge effect on the behaviour of both information consumers and service providers. We will be asking what the library currently is and what do libraries need to do to support knowledge, innovation and society for the future?

These issues will be examined from several different perspectives through a range of high profile speakers who will present their vision for the library of the future. The audience will also have the opportunity to ask questions which will be put to the esteemed panel.

This event represents a unique partnership between Jisc and Oxford University Library Services and is hosted by Dr Malcolm Read (Jisc Executive Secretary) and Dr Sarah Thomas (Bodley's Librarian and Director). 

Programme

Time
Activity

14.00 - 14.05
Opening Remarks
Malcolm Read (Jisc Executive Secretary) & Sarah Thomas (Bodley's Librarian and Director, Oxford University Library Services)

Session One

14.05 - 14.20
Librarian Perspective
Sarah Thomas (Bodley's Librarian and Director, Oxford University Library Services) - How is the library changing and what will it deliver?

14.20 - 14.35
Public Sector Perspective
Chris Batt OBE - A perspective on the public sector needs and the library offer.

14.35 - 14.50
Scientific Researchers Perspective
Professor Peter Murray-Rust - Presenting a research/scientific perspective, what are their information needs (how do they undertake research) and what will they need to remain relevant and to produce new and innovative research.

14.50 - 15.05
Questions for the Speakers
Audience in world (Second Life) and the real world

15.05 - 15.25
Break

Session Two

15.25 - 15.40

Google Perspective
Santiago de la Mora who heads Google Book Search's European partnerships, asking how does Google meet the library, use the library, is the library.

15.40 - 15.55
Citizen Perspective
Professor Robert Darnton (Director of the Harvard University Library) - Presenting on the needs of the citizen in our democracy and what the library of the future needs to offer them.

15.55 - 16.10
Questions for the Speakers
Audience in world (Second Life) and the real world

16.10 - 16.30
Break

16.30 - 17.30 
Question Time
Chaired by Professor Vincent Gillespie J.R.R. Tolkien Professor of English Literature and Language.

17.30
Close