Where: Bibliotheek De Krook, Ghent, Belgium
When: 17-18 August 2023

The IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section, in collaboration with the Bibliotheek De Krook, is excited to host a satellite conference in Ghent prior to the IFLA World Library and Information Congress 2023 in Rotterdam.

The theme of satellite conference is “The Building Journey”. We aim to map the road taken by libraries when embarking on a library building project. Be it large or small, the steps taken to renovate a space, a floor, or an entire building are similar. Our conference will guide our attendees through the journey and share ideas from librarians and architect leaders from around the globe.

We are keen to receive proposals from colleagues who would like to tell the story of their journey. Our Satellite will focus on three phases of the journey:

  • Beginning the Journey – The Planning Phase
    » Gathering the data to make your case.
    » Building a communication strategy and seeking buy-in from your community and funders.
    » Engaging your community. What methods did you use?
  • Bringing the Plan to Life
    » How is technology changing your decision making?
    » How are you transitioning your collection, spaces and services to support the growth of learners and creators?
    » What new services and spaces are now essential components of academic, public, special and national libraries?
  • Is the Journey Never-Ending?
    » Gathering data and completing a post-occupancy review is vital. What have you learned at your institution?
    » What steps have you taken to adjust and flex the space?

You are invited to submit your proposal which addresses any of the areas highlighted above. We are looking for focused, highly imaged presentations of about 15 minutes in length. A mix of thoughtful, tightly scripted presentations will ensure that our Satellite attendees are introduced to the best ideas from around the globe.

Please note that we are hoping to get a range of projects, from small to large, both in terms of size and scope of the project and the budget. Creativity, inclusivity and accessibility are key.

The Building Journey conference will open with a keynote address by an invited speaker. We are planning for an exciting panel discussion with three recent winners of the IFLA Systematic
Public Library of the Year Award. These architects, designers and library leaders will be
in conversation about the journey they took to deliver three of the most remarkable new
public libraries in the world. These sessions are not to be missed!

Important Dates
14 April 2023 | Proposal abstracts must be submitted
30 April 2023 | Selected presenters will be notified
1 August 2023 | Presentation slides due. A practice run through will be scheduled.

Submission Guidelines
Proposals must be submitted in a Word document to louise.dahlberg@ub.uu.se in English and include the following information:
▪ Title of proposed presentation
▪ Abstract of the proposal (400 words max)
▪ Name(s) of presenters and positions and/or titles
▪ Employer or affiliated institution
▪ Contact information including email address and telephone number
▪ Short biographical statement of no more than 100 words

Presentation Guidelines
▪ Presentations must be in English
▪ Each presentation should be no more than 15 minutes in length
▪ Discussion time allocated at the end of each section
▪ The presenter must be present to deliver the presentation in Ghent.

Proposals should only be submitted with the understanding that the expenses of attending the conference will be the responsibility of the author/presenter of accepted papers. Potential presenters should consider the expenses of attending the conference including travel and accommodation. A special invitation letter can be issued.

Contacts For Further Information:
Marian Morgan Bindon – mmbmarian@outlook.com
Louise Dahlberg – louise.dahlberg@ub.uu.se

English will be the language of the conference.

See Satellite Meetings — IFLA WLIC 2023 for details on this and other Satellite Meetings.