New Hampshire Library Trustees Explore Future of Libraries with Key Members of Aspen Institute Dialogue on Public Libraries

May 13, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ian Smalley
O: 203-623-2103
 

New Hampshire Library Trustees Explore Future of Libraries with Key Members of Aspen Institute Dialogue on Public Libraries

Norman Jacknis to give keynote speech and Maureen Sullivan to conduct workshop

Concord, NH, May 13, 2015 – Dr. Norman Jacknis, a member of the working group of the Aspen Institute Dialogue on Public Libraries, will deliver the keynote address at the 2015 New Hampshire Library Trustees Association (NHLTA) conference on Monday, September 18, 2015 at the Grappone Center in Concord, New Hampshire. Drawing its inspiration from the Aspen Institute report with the same title, NHLTA’s agenda for approximately 350 New Hampshire public library trustees registered to attend the 2015 conference highlights the theme “Rising to the Challenge: Re-Envisioning Public Libraries.”

Dr. Jacknis will be joined by Maureen Sullivan, past president of the American Library Association and a member of the Aspen Institute Dialogue working group. Sullivan will lead an interactive workshop for trustees that expands on the ideas and themes from the keynote.

“The future requires that we re-envision public libraries and the 2015 Spring Conference presents the latest trends and challenges facing libraries, as well as the fundamental tools and tips trustees need to ensure their local library meets and anticipates community needs,” said David Hallenbeck, NHLTA Director. 

“Library trustees are instrumental in guiding the transformation of public libraries for a 21st century knowledge economy. They are active, engaged and influential members of their communities who understand the unique value of the programs and services that public libraries deliver. I am delighted that Norman Jacknis and Maureen Sullivan are bringing their considerable expertise and the vision of the Aspen Institute Dialogue to this important group of stakeholders,” said Amy Garmer, Director of the Aspen Institute Dialogue on Public Libraries. 

This is the first statewide dialogue among library trustees based on the Rising to the Challenge report. On April 13, 2015, the Aspen Institute in partnership with the Connecticut State Library, held the Connecticut Dialogue on Public Libraries, the first statewide dialogue for librarians, government officials, foundation and community leaders to address the opportunities presented by the state’s network of public libraries to advance state and local priorities.

Dr. Jacknis is Senior Fellow at the Intelligent Community Forum where he leads ICF’s Rural Imperative initiative. He is also chair of the Metropolitan New York Library Council (METRO), and has held positions at Cisco as an advisor to local governments and as Chief Information Officer in Westchester County, New York.

Maureen Sullivan is a widely recognized leader and educator in the library field. In addition to her term as ALA president, she has led the Association of College and Research Libraries, served as interim dean of the library school at Simmons College and taught a seminar in library leadership at Harvard University. Her active consulting practice focuses on the design and delivery of strategic planning, work redesign, organizational restructuring, leadership development, implementing large-scale organizational change and continuing education. 

For more information: http://www.nhlta.com/nhlta/schedule.asp 

The Aspen Institute Dialogue on Public Libraries is a multi-stakeholder forum to explore and champion new thinking on US public libraries, with the goal of fostering concrete actions to support and transform public libraries for a more diverse, mobile and connected society. The Dialogue is managed by the Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program, which focuses on projects and initiatives that address the societal impact of communications and information technologies and provides a multidisciplinary venue for considered judgment on communications policy issues. 

The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It also has an office in New York City and an international network of partners. For more information, visit http://www.aspeninstitute.org.

View Comments
0