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Who is the event for?

Step into a world where visionary ideas blend with real-world library transformations.

At LIBER LAG 2024, library professionals embarking on visionary building projects refine their concepts and planning blueprints. LIBER LAG is dedicated to nurturing a dialogue between librarians and architects throughout Europe.

Every two years, librarians, architects and an array of stakeholders in library architecture and design come together to discuss and raise awareness on new projects and trends. This conference is a tapestry of insights and trends from all over Europe, showcasing projects that are redefining our collective future.

Are you:

  • a librarian spearheading a transformative building project?
  • an architect or a designer specializing in library spaces?
  • a curious mind, passionate about the symbiosis between architecture and how it can shape the future of libraries?

Then this event is for you.

It’s where challenges are transformed into innovations, ideas into movements, and visions into realities. Join us, and be part of a journey that’s shaping the libraries of tomorrow, today.

Registration

Registration is now open! Secure your place whilst tickets remain.

Ticket prices:

  • Early bird (until 16/02/2024) – 275 EUR
  • Regular ticket (as of 16/02/2024) – 325 EUR
  • Conference Dinner – 60 EUR

 

REGISTER HERE

Call for Proposals

We are delighted to invite you to submit your papers for the LIBER Architecture Group Seminar 2024, themed “Building bridges: libraries as engaged and trusted hubs”. 

We are looking for new library projects in Europe, but topics of interest can include, but are not limited to: 

  1. Innovative Library Spaces: The evolution of library spaces, from traditional to flexible and multifunctional designs. 
  2. Sustainable and Environmental Impact: Strategies for designing environmentally friendly and sustainable library buildings. 
  3. Digital Transformation: The impact of digital transformation on library architecture and design 
  4. Community Engagement: Designing libraries that serve as vibrant community hubs. 
  5. Accessibility and Inclusivity: Creating library spaces that are welcoming and accessible to all patrons. 
  6. Preservation of Heritage: Strategies for preserving historical libraries while meeting modern needs. 
  7. Adaptive Reuse: Converting existing structures into functional and efficient library spaces. 
  8. Future trends and Emerging Technologies: Exploring the future of library architecture in a rapidly changing environment. 

All submissions will undergo a peer-review process. Selected authors will be invited to present their work during the LIBER Architecture Group Seminar at eh KBR in Brussels on 26 April 2024. 

Please submit your abstract (250-300 words) along with contact information to lag@libereurope.org by 29th January 2024. Accepted authors will be notified by 15 February 2024 and should submit their full presentation by 1 April 2024. 

For inquiries and further information, please contact lag@libereurope.org.

Theme & Topics

This year, the Seminar will follow the theme: “Building Bridges: Libraries as Engaged and Trusted Hubs.” More than a theme, this is a call to action, an invitation to be part of LIBER’s mission to redefine the role of libraries in society. The theme will explore how libraries are evolving into dynamic hubs of engagement, trust, and community integration.

More than 20 innovative projects from all over Europe will be showcased and discussed through keynote interventions, workshops and panel discussion. As the seminar will be focusing on new trends in architecture and design, topics such as inclusivity, community engagement and sustainability will be high on the agenda.

The seminar will be the opportunity for attendees to exchange with people within the field who are undergoing the same changes and challenges in terms of building. This will also be the occasion to network and bring inspiration back home.

Preliminary Programme

  • Wednesday 24 April

    09:00 – Registration desk opens KBR

    Visit to the Free University of Brussels Learning Center Construction Yard

    (OPTIONAL: Pre-registration needed)

    13:30 – Opening & Welcome

    • Sara Lammens, General Director KBR
    • Marie-Pierre Pausch, Chair LIBER Architecture Group

    14:00 – Opening Keynote

    • Sir Roly Keating, CEO British Library, London, United Kingdom

    15:00 – Coffee Break

    15:30 – Session 1: Transforming places: libraries as catalysts for regeneration.

    Panel discussion moderated by Joachim Spyns, LIBER Architecture Group

    • Sara Lammens, General Director Royal Library of Belgium (KBR), Brussels, Belgium
    • Jo Coenen, Architect, Architect & Urbanist, Netherlands
    • Sir Roly Keating, CEO British Library, London, United Kingdom

    16:15 – Library Tour: Exploring the Venue

    17:30 – Social Event

  • Thursday 25 April

    09:00 – Opening Coffee

    09:15 – Session 2: New Tends in Designing Libraries

    Presentations with Q&A (30min.)

    (Sessions to be announced)

    10:45 – Coffee Break

    11:15 – Session 3: Spaces for Collaboration and Audience Engagement

    Presentations with Q&A (30min.)
    Chaired by Linda Vidlund

    • Library Space as a Tool for Social Change
      Reinert Mithassel, Head of Deichman Tøyenbibliotekene, Oslo, Norway.
    • Delivering Space as a Service: Collaborative, creative and community spaces in the new library at the University of Limerick
      Ciara McCaffrey, University Librarian, University of Limerick, Ireland.

    12:15 – Lunch Break

    13:15 – Session 4: New Library Projects

    Presentations with Q&A (30min.)
    Chaired by Ciara McCaffrey

    • Learning Center Free University of Brussels
      Stefaan Renard, Chief Librarian, Brussels, Belgium
    • Humathèque Condorcet
      Stéphanie Groudiev, Directrice, Paris, France
    • University Library Johann Christian Senckenberg
      Angela Hausinger, Deputy Director of the University Library, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
    • Universiteit Amsterdam
      Lucille Hegger and Robin van Schijndel, the Netherlands.

    15:15 – Coffee Break

    15:45 – Session 5: New Library Projects

    Presentations with Q&A (30min.)

    Chaired by Kira Stine Hansen

    • University of Bristol Library
      Ed Fay, Director of Library Services & University Librarian Bristol, United Kingdom

    (Third presentation, to be announced)

    16:45 – Practical information on conference dinner

    17:00 – End

    19:00 – Conference Dinner

  • Friday 26 April

    09:15 – Session 6: New Library Projects

    Presentations with Q&A (30min.) chaired Marie-Pierre Pausch

    (Sessions to be announced, pending open call)

    10:45 – Coffee Break

    11:15 – Session 7: Designing Future Libraries – Stories Change Lives

    Closing Keynote

    • Eric Boekesteijn, National Library Netherlands

    12:15 – Closing Ceremony

    • Marie-Pierre Pausch, Chair LIBER Architecture Group

    12:30 – End of Seminar

Venue

LIBER LAG Seminar 2024 will take place at KBR (Royal Library of Belgium) in Brussels, Belgium. An exceptional location in the cultural center of Brussels, capital of Belgium.

As the country’s national library, KBR collects all Belgian publications and counts more than 8 million documents. We preserve, manage and study a rich cultural and historical heritage. Our is mission is to provide the public with access to information, facilitate research and offer a broad cultural experience.

Preserving a heritage collection of 8 million documents and making it accessible to the public is hard work. That is why we have specialists in restoration and digitisation on call. Since 2020, KBR also owns its museum. It displays a national treasure: the Library of the Dukes of Burgundy and its fabulous collection of 15th century manuscripts.

KBR welcomes the LIBER LAG Seminar 2024 in a particularly relevant period for the institution as it will itself soon undergo major building changes with the renovation of its Reading Room.

Besides being a central place for the preservation of Belgian’s cultural and historical heritage, KBR offers event and meeting spaces in the heart of Brussels. The elegant and professional meeting spaces, its central location and the number of cultural activities in the area make for the perfect venue for events, meetings, conferences, presentations, trainings or workshops.

Address:

Mont des Arts 28,
1000 Brussels
+32 (0)2 519 53 11
info@kbr.be

Staying in Brussels?

More information coming soon.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the event, contact the LIBER Office at liber@libereurope.org