Libraries Today: A Conversation about Culture and Democracy

The Latvian Society

Talk and discussion with Dagnija Baltiņa, Director of Special Collections at the National Library of Latvia & 22-23 & Ford Foundation Mason

The Latvian Society of Philadelphia

Presented by Dagnija Baltiņa, Director of Special Collections, National Library of Latvia, Riga, Latvia. With Dr. Melissa Chakars, Discussant, Chair, Department of History, St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PAT﻿HIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, DONATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED. Presentation SummaryLibraries today are facing various challenges. But what is less known is that they are also offering a variety of answers to local communities as well as to key policymakers at the national and international levels to help defend democracy. My talk will frame key arguments that are being made to address the significance of libraries the world over and to advance democratic and free societies.It is not easy to argue or even talk about the importance of things that seem self-evident. The interdependence of libraries, culture, and democracy has been a notion that has simply always been there. Yet, more and more we face the need to prove the importance and linkages of these key elements of a democratic society.In my talk, I will walk through the arguments of how and why libraries should be at the center of national and state policy discourse to address our societal needs and to set priorities for today. These discussions are fundamental to successful governance in any free and democratic society. We need to be specific at which leadership levels and at which decision-maker tables these discussions should take place and why they constitute the very foundation of any democracy that seeks to grow and prosper for the benefit of its citizens.Furthermore, I will demonstrate the pivotal role and opportunities offered by libraries, among other cultural institutions, to drive the overall debate about the role of culture in society. Digitization and other emerging technologies, as well as the critical memory preservation work that libraries provide in times of war, have given libraries a certain competitive advantage that few cultural institutions can offer in our times. We must use this momentum wisely.As we read the headlines in newspapers about how libraries are being censored, that certain books are being banned, budgets are cut, and even libraries are being physically destroyed, the situation looks dire indeed. Yet, the arguments that I will bring to this talk and elaborate on will give good ground to argue that libraries are currently among the most important institutions that we have today. They most likely will only grow in their importance. To demonstrate this, I will draw on examples from the US as well as from international settings. I will also discuss the role of libraries in various emergency situations. I am delighted that at the close of my remarks, Dr. Melissa Chakars of the Department of History at St. Joseph’s University will open a conversation about important steps that libraries can take today to defend democracy.  Attendees will be invited to offer their comments pertaining to the issues and opportunities that I’ve laid out so that we can forge a way forward that ensures libraries everywhere can continue to thrive and serve democratic ideals.

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Libraries Today: A Conversation about Culture and Democracy

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Libraries Today: A Conversation about Culture and Democracy

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