Marking a significant expansion of its outreach, this first U.S. event from the SNF Dialogues initiative will highlight libraries’ pivotal role as spaces that serve the public. As pillars for democratic societies, libraries not only enable cultural preservation, but also foster community participation and thereby promote civic engagement. The discussion will touch on their architectural design, as well as the advent of new technology and the evolution of their traditional role.
Speakers
The discussion will be moderated by Anna-Kynthia Bousdoukou, Managing Director of the SNF Dialogues, and the main speakers will be Dr. Tony W. Marx, President and CEO of the New York Public Library (NYPL), and Dr. Ares Kalandides, Urban scholar and Academic Advisor at New York University, Berlin. An intervention is also going to be made by the architect of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL), Francine Houben, Founding Partner and Creative Director of the Netherlands-based firm Mecanoo. Additionally, Ricci Yuhico, Managing Librarian for Young Adult Services at SNFL, and Kaelin Motsoasele (they/them), student and library page in the flagship Teen Center in the NYPL, are going to shed light on the services the library provides to teenagers and young adults. Last but not least, Kathleen Carrasco, Borough Director, Bronx Neighborhood Library Networks, NYPL, will talk about the valuable contribution of the library to the local community.
In parallel with the SNF Dialogues event, a new four-part podcast series hosted by Dr. Ares Kalandides, “Beyond Books: The Many Lives of Libraries,” is launching. It will offer a deep dive into how libraries around the world have navigated the challenges posed by technological innovation and changes in urban settings. The podcast series will be available on the SNF Dialogues website immediately following the event.