The satellite conference will be held immediately prior to the World Library and Information Congress in Helsinki, Finland, August 2012.

Conference Location
The satellite meeting will be held in Klaipeda, Lithuania.

Conference venue: Klaipeda, Ieva Simonaityte Klaipeda County Public Library

Sponsor: IFLA Public Libraries Section

Organizers: Lithuanian Librarian’s Association
Ieva Simonaityte Klaipeda County Public Library
Public Library of Klaipeda Municipality
Fridrichas Bajoraitis Public Library of Silute District Municipality

Partners: Martynas Mazvydas National Library of Lithuania
The County Public Libraries Association
Klaipeda University Library

Financial support: The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania and other sponsors.

Conference Theme and Focus

Public Libraries have traditionally worked together to manage and share resources and information, and initiate cooperative projects. Developments in technology have allowed for even greater collaboration and the creation of new networks.

However the concept of a library is changing. If public libraries are to remain relevant to their ever more sophisticated users they have to constantly re-invent themselves; implementing new services, investigating collaborative arrangements and flexible staffing models.

In delivering quality services public libraries are active partners in networks at all levels, raising their profile with government and the community. Through these initiatives public libraries are positioning themselves as places where original ideas are born, hot discussions happen and like-minded persons meet each other.

Public libraries are places where users can creatively solve many problems; develop abilities and competencies; find ideas for their business; and support their interests, life-long learning and well-being. In summary they inspire, inform and entertain.

In today’s interconnected world no library operates in isolation. Through the growth of networks library users are at the centre of developing and sharing knowledge. Public Libraries can use this strength to advocate for their place as being necessary and irreplaceable.

 

General Themes
The conference organizers invite papers on the following issues:
1. Networked libraries – what do they look like?
• What qualities do libraries need to have if they want to be part of a network?
• What are the key elements of successful collaboration?
2. Looking ahead- new challenges and opportunities for networking
3. The Library as a ‘creative lab’ providing opportunities for users to discover, explore and connect
4. Collaboration and partnerships between public libraries and their communities

Participants will be invited to join in discussions, share best practice and network with colleagues attending this IFLA Satellite Meeting.

Target Audience
We welcome all librarians who are interested in the topic.

Proposals should include
• Title of the presentation
• Abstract of no more than 300 words
• Author(s) name, professional affiliation, postal address, e-mail address
• A brief biographical statement of no more than 50 words

Important Dates and Timelines
Your proposals should be sent no later than 10 of April, 2012 to:
Dzeinara Kaunaite, e-mail: dzeinarak@gmail.com

The presenters will be expected to submit the final version of their paper (in Microsoft Word, no longer than 2000 words) by May 30, 2012.

 

Conference Language
The conference will be conducted in English. All papers and presentations will be required to be in English.

Registration Costs
Invited speakers and presenters will be required to pay the registration fee and their own travel, accommodation and associated costs.
The registration fee 100 Euro.

The registration fee will cover the conference bag, a lunch, mid-morning and mid-afternoon refreshments, the conference dinner.

Please note
All expenses, including registration for the conference, travel, accommodation etc., are the responsibility of the authors/presenters. No financial support can be provided by IFLA, but a special invitation can be issued to authors.

Congress Attendance Grants
The Finnish National Committee and IFLA have worked hard to secure funds for Conference Participation Grants. Up-to-date information is available on our Conference Participation Grants webpage.

 

The satellite conference website:
http://www.lbd.lt/?page_id=368

Contact: Dzeinara Kaunaite
dzeinarak@gmail.com