Libraries today are inspiring learning venues for students, collaboration incubators, meeting places in communities, social spaces for cities. The major trends in designing and building libraries during the last decade can be succinctly described using Andrew McDonald’s, Top Ten Qualities for Good Library Space of 2007. But what features will figure prominently in the future that define a highly functional, awe inspiring and vibrant library?

The summary programme is as follows:

1. Dokk1 – re-inventing space praxis

Marie Østergård, Dokk1, Aarhus Public Libraries, Denmark

2. Libraries – an arena for debate that expands local democracy

Aslak Sira Myhre, Director General of National Library of Norway, Norway

3. What comes after the “Third Place”? A thought leader panel discussion.

Craig Dykers, Snohetta, United States

Janette Blackburn, Shepley Bullfinch, United States

Marion Morgan-Bindon, Goldcoast Public Libraries, Australia

Madeleine Lefebvre, Ryerson University, Canada