The Future of the Library in the Digital Age

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Sir Deian Hopkin will be delivering this year’s 2012 Bevan Foundation Lecture. He will analyse how technology has revolutionised access to knowledge and question if it’s time for the library to change and become a different kind of institution.

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Speaker: Sir Deian Hopkin

Date: Friday 12th October          

Time: 7pm            

Venue: South Wales Miners’ Library, Sketty, Swansea SA2 7NB

Admission: Free of charge, all welcome

Other: Drinks reception at 6.30pm ready for a 7pm start

Longer event summary:

Technology has transformed the way information is disseminated but what does this mean for traditional institutions such as libraries? Whereas libraries provided free public access and an invaluable educational experience, much of the internet is increasingly becoming an income-generating medium access to which may depend on financial resources. While attempts to overcome the digital divide is necessary, might this not undermine the case for maintaining the library as we have known it?  Or is it time for the library to change altogether and become a very different kind of institution?      

Information about the speaker:

Sir Deian Hopkin is President of the National Library of Wales and Adviser to the First Minister of Wales on the centenary commemorations of the First World War. Born in Llanelli and educated at Llandovery and Aberystwyth, he spent 44 years in higher education including 24 years at Aberystwyth, where he was Head of History. From 2001-9 he was Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of London South Bank University and in 2010-11 interim Vice Chancellor of the University of East London following a period as interim Chairman of the Student Loans Company. 

He is currently a member of the Higher Education Commission and serves on the Boards of Essex University. He chairs the Local Economy Policy Unit and is the Vice-Chairman of the Council for Assisting Academic Refugees. He is a board member, patron or trustee of a number of bodies including the Campaign for Learning, the Institute of Historical Research and Hillcroft College for Women and is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Times Higher Education. 

Contact details:

To book a place at this lecture visit http://bfannuallecture2012.eventbrite.com/ or call 0845 180 0441 / 07789711659 for further information.