IFLA’s Library Buildings and Equipment Section (LBES) and the Environment, Sustainability and Libraries Special Interest Group (ENSULIB) invite you to submit a proposal for its Open Session at the 86th IFLA World Library and Information Congress 2020 in Dublin, Ireland, 15-21 August.

Theme: “Something old – something new. Transforming an existing building into a new library”

Abstracts due: 21 February 2020

Topic

Many new libraries are being built to serve the growing needs of users. A new library, however, does not necessarily mean that it must be a new building. This programme will focus on libraries created from the existing building and on requirements and opportunities for revitalization of an old, derelict or abandoned building into a new library. We are looking for experiences with the transformation of a building with a different purpose into a library. The Programme will focus on the challenges and opportunities of this kind of transformation and the compromises which must be made for these transformations. The re-use of a building can also be an opportunity for sustainability. We are looking for best practice examples and lessons learned from all types of libraries in historic urban environment or in rural areas. Sustainability and the libraries impact on the environment is a key focus.

The LBES and ENSULIB are looking for proposals that are inspiring, thoughtful and high-quality. Specifically, we are looking to build on the goals of the 2020 conference: Inspire, Engage, Enable and Connect by:

  • Inspire: Get inspired by a heritage building or a building in a historic environment
  • Engage the community to preserve, value and reinvent public spaces and buildings for libraries
  • Enable: Best practices how to enable a transformation of an existing building into a library
  • Enable: Building sustainable libraries through repurposing buildings and services
  • Connect an existing building with the requirements of the library users of today and tomorrow

Proposals must be in English, see full details here

Proposal abstracts must be submitted via email to:

Janet Fletcher: [email protected]