Big Ideas for Libraries in Communities
Cities, Community Building, Summit Alone Together Connecting in the City, 2012, Arts + Culture
Poet and novelist Roberto Bolaño once said: “A library is a metaphor for human beings or what's best about human beings... A library is total generosity.” While it is true that as public institutions libraries have been historically recognized for their commitment to communities, it is also true that genuine and sustained community engagement takes dedication, imagination, and openness.
We invite you to forget all about economics and practicalities and instead of asking why, ask WHY NOT?! Embrace your creativity and brilliance! Dream up a project – something entirely new, big or small, realistic or starry-eyed, concrete or conceptual, and pitch us your ideas about how libraries can expand their role in building community and advancing civic engagement. Tell us what you wish libraries could be and how they could contribute even more deeply to building stronger and more meaningful connections and relationships in your community.
Don’t limit your vision of what a library is: this conversation can and should be about libraries of all types: public; school; college; university, cooperative; as well as the ones that are emerging on the Internet.
If your idea is among the top ten, as shortlisted by our jury, you will be invited to pitch your idea to the public, in five minutes or less, at the Big Ideas for Libraries in Communities event on September 19th. Our audience will be filled with smart, passionate movers and shakers who care deeply about libraries and communities, and who will cast votes that night, for their top three ideas. The public presentations are not just for those who have submitted ideas! Our goal is for all who attend to leave with bigger and braver ideas than those they came with. We want everyone to have an opportunity to connect with like-minded people, informally give and receive feedback on the presented ideas, and explore possibilities for collaboration and conversation.
Please join us for the Big Ideas for Libraries in Communities presentations, 6:00 – 8:00 pm, Wednesday, September 19th in the Segal Room (1420) at SFU Vancouver. This event is part of the SFU Public Square inaugural Community Summit, Alone Together: Connecting in the City, presented in partnership with the Vancouver Foundation. Light refreshments will be provided.
Catch up
The Big Ideas for Libraries in Communities was a sold out event! Thank you to everyone who attended and participated, it was a funny, informative, and enlightening experience. Congratulations to our winners!
- First place (tie): Shirley Lew, Tara Robertson
- Second place: Alison Campbell & Michelle Callaghan
- Third place: Kevin Stranack
If you were unable to attend, you can still immerse yourself in the challenge through the full length video!
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (PT)
SFU Vancouver at Harbour Centre
515 West Hastings St.
Segal Room (1420)
About Alone Together: Connecting in the City
-
Alone Together: A Mini Film Festival
Films from across the globe, exploring the issue of isolation in the urban environment, was screened at the Westminster Savings Credit Union SFU Surrey Theater for the Alone Together Film Festival.
Read More →
-
Rain City Chronicles – Extra Ordinary
An evening of storytelling and music, this event featured extra–ordinary community folks sharing personal reflections on how they have brought their neighborhoods and communities together.
Read More →
-
Urban Conspiracy Cabaret
CBC Debaters Charlie Demers and Richard Side hosted a unique and eclectic night of comedy, music, arts and poetry.
Read More →
-
Lonely in Vancouver | City Conversations
As part of the SFU Public Square Community Summit, City Conversations will feature a dialogue on the Vancouver Foundation report on isolation in the region, featuring the foundation’s Catherine Clement, Vice President, Public Engagement and Communications, and Daphne Bramham, award-winning columnist for the Vancouver Sun.
Read More →
-
Creating A Connected City: The Role of Business in Addressing Urban Isolation
Metro Vancouver's business leaders discussed the role that the business community plays in building urban connections.
Read More →
-
Big Ideas for Libraries in Communities
Community spirit thrived at libraries – virtual, cooperative, academic and public! We heard the top ten ideas submitted by community members, on how libraries can contribute to building stronger and more meaningful connections.
Read More →
-
Our Voices: Youth Building a Connected City
Designed for youth, by youth, explored issues related to isolation and disconnection while helping develop solutions at this interactive daylong conference.
Read More →
-
Opening Night at the Orpheum!
Where it all began! Featured some of Canada's innovative minds discussing how we can create more connected communities. With special appearances by Bend Sinister and Shane Koyczan.
Read More →
-
Alone Together: Connecting a City with One Voice
The SFU Public Square ONE VOICE Music Project is an exciting initiative that harnesses the power of music, media, performance and collaboration to bridge across differences and inspire meaningful connections between (and an appreciation for) our diverse community members.
Read More →
-
Open Space
A public square is not only a place for SFU to engage with the community, it is also a space where individuals and community groups may self-organize. We were excited to offer free open space at our three SFU campuses as part of the Alone Together Community Summit.
Read More →