Immerse yourself in the essence of the 2024 LAG Seminar, "Building Bridges: Libraries as Engaged and Trusted Hubs." More than a theme, this is a call to action, an invitation to be part of a transformative journey that redefines the role of libraries in society. Prepare to explore how these venerable institutions are evolving into dynamic hubs of engagement, trust, and community integration.
More than 20 innovative projects from all over Europe will be showcased and discussed through key note interventions, workshops and panel discussion. As the seminar will be focusing on new trends in architecture and design, topics such as inclusivity, community engagement, digital transformation and sustainability will be high on the seminar’s agenda.
The seminar will be the opportunity for attendees to exchange with people of the field, that are undergoing the same changes and challenges in terms of building. This will also be the occasion to network and bring back inspiration home.
A place to meet & study, to organise conferences, to experience innovative technology.
The VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) and ULB (Université Libre de Bruxelles) have joined forces for the construction of an international knowledge center in the heart of the Campus Pleinlaan in Etterbeek. The Learning and Innovation Center is a networking site for e-learning, research, and innovation to students, researchers and stakeholders. A place open to the public and the Brussels Community. A place that builds bridges, where a university library becomes an engaged hub in the city.
- Total surface: 9000 m2
- Start construction: 2021
- Completion: Spring 2024
Completed in 1997, the British Library’s building at St Pancras in London was initially seen as a controversial design but has become one of the city’s best-loved buildings, and is now Grade 1 listed. Last year, the Library received planning permission for a major extension on the land to the north of the current building, designed by Graham Stirk from RSHP. Roly Keating will explain the background to this major initiative, including its innovative business model – based on a commercial partnership – and the way it will enable a more inclusive and welcoming relationship with the diverse communities who live in the neighbourhood around the Library.
by Jo Coenen, Architect & Urbanist, Netherlands
followed by a panel discussion moderated by Martine Pronk, Executive director of LIBER Europe
Discover KBR, its history, building and future projects. And who knows, as an attentive participant, you might go home with a prize...
Walking dinner at KBR - Forum & Péristyle
Presentations with Q&A chaired by Michael Moennich
- Recollections & Connections for Resilience - Helsingborg City Library and other case studies, by Amber Rose Bowie, Architect and Associate at Schmidt Hammer Lassen, Denmark.
- Reinventing the laboratory library: the Humathèque Concordet, a new research library for new uses, by Stéphanie Groudiev, director, Humathèque Concordet, France.
- Low-cost interventions for an Inclusive Library: Reinventing space with user-oriented inclusive design, by David Oldenhof, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Presentations with Q&A chaired by Linda Vidlund
- Library Space as a Tool for Social Change, by Reinert Mithassel, Head of Deichman Tøyenbibliotekene, Oslo, Norway.
- Space as a Service: Collaborative, creative and community spaces in the new library at the University of Limerick, Ciara McCaffrey, University Librarian, University of Limerick, Ireland.
- Transformation: Lighthouse KUB Nord, DK - a radical new hybrid-flexible facility, by Anna Kathrine Bisgaard Sorensen, Denmark.
Presentations with Q&A chaired by Ciara McCaffrey
- Turning the page: Transforming Challenges into Triumphs with UvA’s New Library in a Historic Former Hospital, by Lucille Hegger, Communications Advisor New University Library, University of Amsterdam and Marloes van Wagtendonk, Project Manager New University Library, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- A Portrait of the library as an office block and an asylum: how Technological University Dublin converted, adapted and reused its buildings to create functional, efficient and modern libraries by Allison Kavanagh, Head of Library Services, Technological University Dublin and Catherine Cooke, Academic Hub Library Senior Project Manager, Technological University Dublin, Ireland.
Presentations with Q&A chaired by Stephanie Groudiev
- Lighting in libraries : quality and sustainability by Ivanna Voronkova, Architect and Architecture Department Assistant, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland.
- KBR, Re-use and durability in renovation, Celine Ben Amar, Head of the Contemporary Books Collection, KBR, Belgium and Olivier Graeven, Master Architect, JCAU, Belgium.
Presentations with Q&A chaired by Sylvia Van Peteghem
- A new library for the University of Bristol, by Ed Fay, Director of Library Services & University Librarian Bristol, United Kingdom.
- The Joint Learning and Innovation Center (LIC) of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) by Stefaan Renard, University Library Director, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium.
(OPTIONAL: Pre-registration needed)
at KBR - Albert
Presentations with Q&A chaired Marie-Pierre Pausch
- The Concept and Realisation of Branch Libraries at the University of Frankfurt by Angela Hausinger, Goethe-Universitaet Frankfurt, Germany.
- Library transformation at Manchester Metropolitan University: communities in dialogue by Rachel Beckett, Director of Library and Cultural Services, Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom.
- Creating the created: the renovation of the Humanities and Social Sciences Library at the University of Lille by Frédéric Caudoux, Associate Architect, Carta - Reichen et Robert Associés and Frédéric Souchon, Project manager HSS Library Renovation, University of Lille, France.
Closing Keynote by Erik Boekesteijn, National Library Netherlands
