NSW.net recently hosted the Technology in Libraries Seminar at the State Library of New South Wales.  The seminar  provided an exciting exploration of how technology is being utilised by libraries to transform services.  

Marcus Foth provided a stimulating keynote address:  The Library beyond (just) the Book — Collaboration and Co-working Spaces for New Technology and New Technological Practices

 State Library of New South Wales on Vimeo.

Marcus Foth is the Associate Professor of Urban Informatics at Queensland University of Technology. Marcus recently authored the report, ​Urban Informatics: Research & Insights for Libraries, Cultural Industries and Innovation Systems.  

Presentation Abstract: Libraries have often been first adopters of many new technological innovations, such as, punch cards, computers, barcodes, and e-book readers. It is thus not surprising that many libraries have embraced the advent of the internet as an opportunity to move away from just being repositories of books, towards becoming ideas stores and local network hubs for entrepreneurial thinking and new creative practices. This presentation will look at the case of “The Edge” – an initiative of the State Library of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, to establish a digital culture centre and learning environment deliberately designed for the co-creation and co-construction of knowledge. This initiative illustrates the potential role of libraries as testing grounds for new technologies and technological practices, which is particularly relevant in the context of the NBN rollout across Australia. It also provides an example of new engagement strategies for innovative co-working spaces that are a vital element in a trend that sees professionals, creatives and designers leave their traditional places of work and embrace the city as their office.