Brian Gambles, Library of Birmingham #RLUK14

Future City, Future Library

Birmingham Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution

The ‘city of a thousand trades’

Birmingham - People

1 million citizens (city-region 5.3m)

33%+ from ethnic minority communities

50 languages spoken in the city

Europe’s second most diverse city – (Amsterdam)

37% under 25 – ‘the youngest city in Europe’

The future face of European Cities

But ...UK city hardest hit by social impact of Recession

• Way above average indicators of deprivation, especially…– unemployment (young people,

long term, concentrated)• Skills and qualifications deficit• High levels of functional illiteracy

(20%+ adults)• Poor health outcomes

• Poor graduate retention• Challenging image domestically

A city that needs…• Confidence in its learning and

cultural status

• A better image (and self-image) home and abroad

• Improved skills for employability for young people

• Sustained community cohesion

• Healthier citizens

• Engaged citizens

• Enhanced skills: literacy, numeracy and digital

A library that will deliver…

• Social capital and community engagement

• Social, economic and health outcomes

• A visitor destination• Creativity and innovation• Inspiration• Grounded in

– Partnership working– A clear digital strategy– A more business-like approach– A transformed service offer

What is the future library?

• Library• Archive• Visitor Attraction• Event Space• Corporate Venue• Social meeting

place• Business meeting

place

What is a library in the 21st

century?• A knowledge hub…a social

learning hub…a cultural exchange…an empowerment centre

• A new partnership – a new social contract - with business, colleges, universities, voluntary sector, creative industries, cultural and arts organisations, writers, performers, schools the community…

• Connecting people to people, people to ideas, ideas to ideas…co-producing services and events

• Social Capital

“I think when I look back at the @LibraryofBham opening, the thing I'll remember is how happy

everyone seems today”

Library of Birmingham - Success

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The Public Library• Public Realm• Inclusive• Learning Journey

• Event rich• Co-production environment• Experiential learning

Children in Need

HEALTH

HERITAGE

BUSINESS

CHILDREN

READING

LEARNING

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The basis for partnership

Partnerships

Co-production

Engagement

Access

Enrichment

Collaboration

Innovation

Digital Customer Experience -New ways of engaging with customers based on mobile

apps, interactive content and digital partnerships.

Collection, Digitisation &

Interpretation of Content

Physical Archives

What we did… Customer Experience

Google Cultural Institute23

Website, LMS, Digital Asset Management

system

Digital Content Delivery: Web, Mobile & In-

Building

Multi-screen digital galleries, feature

interactive devices and Marketing & Events screens

What we did… Technology

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Games:

Foto Fortunes

People’s Archive

Information Overlord

Virtual Library in Second Life

Apps:

Dozens and Trails

What we did… Technology

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http://www.connectinghistories.org.uk/

http://www.suburbanbirmingham.org.uk/

http://www.connectinghistories.org.uk/childrenshomes.asp

http://www.connectinghistories.org.uk/birminghamstories/about.asp

http://www.connectinghistories.org.uk/childrenslives/

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Enhanced metadata services

Before

Original Filename

wk-a1-104

Title

A 19lb pike caught in Fox Hollies Pool, Acocks Green,

Birmingham

Caption

Published in the Birmingham Post, 18 December 1972.

Original Filename Title

wk-a1-104.jpg A 19lb pike caught in Fox Hollies Pool, Acocks Green

Description

Portrait of a man with a pike. Published in the Birmingham Post, 18 December 1972.

wk-a1-104

Building/Street District/Suburb City County

Country

Fox Hollies Pool Acocks Green Birmingham West Midlands

England

Type of Building Categories People Date

Home Animals, Sport Adult, Eldery, Men1972

This picture looks This picture shows

Happy Leisure, Pride

Keywords

vertical, indoors, day, photography, black and white image, one

person, man, house, home, residence, room, kitchen, 20th

century, C20th, 1972, 1970s, holding, fish, pike, fishing, food,

leisure time, activities, sport, standing, holding, wearing,

spectacles, Fox Hollies Pool

After

Community Heritage and Multicultural Engagement: Reflecting and Representing the Histories and Identities of Diverse Groups comprising a Multicultural City and Society

Library – Community - Partners

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Voices of War

[email protected]