The US’ Salzburg Global Seminar and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) have announced the publication of a report titled ‘Libraries and Museums in an Era of Participatory Culture.’ The report details the events of the October 2011 convening of 58 library, museum and cultural heritage leaders from 31 countries. Together, the participants developed a set of recommendations to help libraries and museums embrace new possibilities for public engagement that are made possible by societal and technological change.
The deliberations identified ‘imperatives for the future’ including accepting the notion of democratic access, placing a major emphasis on public value and impact, and embracing lifelong learning.
Building on the IMLS initiative, “The Future of Museums and Libraries”, as well as on past museum and library sessions convened by the Salzburg Global Seminar, this session brought together library and museum leaders, cultural and educational policymakers, cultural sector researchers, representatives of library and museum education programs, technology experts, sociologists, journalists and library and museum associations.
The report has sought to capture rich perspectives about the changing roles and responsibilities of libraries and museums. The publication describes each of the five plenary sessions and the working group recommendations that resulted from them: culture and communities; learning transformed; building the skills of library and museum professionals; and demonstrating public value. It includes descriptions of innovative case studies from around the globe and a summary of the concluding keynote lecture given by Vishakha Desia, president and chief executive officer of the Asia Society.
