Leaders joined to exchange ideas for the advancement and future of public libraries across the world
EMERYVILLE, Calif. October 8, 2020 – Innovative, a ProQuest company and leading global provider of library software kicked off a new group, the new Public Library Leadership Council (PLLC), with an inaugural meeting held virtually on October 7 and 8. The mission of the PLLC is to exchange ideas for the advancement and future of public libraries across the world.
This two-day event brought together thought leaders from positions in public libraries around the world along with guest speakers. The guest speaker on day 1 of the event was Eric Klinenberg, the Helen Gould Shepard Professor of Social Science and Director of the Institute for Public Knowledge at New York University. He is the author of Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life. Klinenberg led a talk and discussion of the role libraries play as a social institution, fostering community resilience, connection, and collective effervescence.
The second day featured speaker was PC Sweeney, the Political Director for EveryLibrary, the first and only Political Action Committee for libraries in the United States. Sweeney is responsible for digital organizing and digital campaign management, political consulting, leading political training and workshops, and fundraising initiatives. He led a presentation and interactive discussion on the important topic of Political Steps to Funding and Long-term Planning as a Result of COVID-19.
Yariv Kursh, General Manager of Innovative Interfaces, said “We know public libraries play a crucial role providing a meeting and learning space for their communities, and are in a unique position to shape the educational and intellectual lives of all of us. I am proud that Innovative can provide a space to support these thought leaders as they shape the future.”
Following the kickoff event, the Leadership Council will continue with virtual meetings and online discussions to face challenges being faced by libraries today, including challenges brought by COVID and serving communities with limited budgets, as well as how to best serve the needs of communities for education, entertainment, and community moving forward. Future events and topics will be shaped by the outcome of the kickoff event.
“We envision an even closer partnership between Innovative and public libraries that will reshape our offerings, with libraries showing us how we can best empower them” says Kursh.
Membership to the Public Library Leadership Council is by invitation only.
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About Innovative
Innovative, a ProQuest company, provides leading technology solutions and services that empower libraries and enrich their users worldwide. Innovative offers one of the most comprehensive portfolios of library automation products on the market today, serving academic, public, national, consortia, and corporate and special libraries. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, Innovative has a global presence—serving thousands of libraries in 66 countries and offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.iii.com.