The Urbanism Hour: The Role of the Library in the 21st Century
Lunchtime webinar looking at the adaptation of libraries as diverse third spaces in the 2020s
The Urbanism Hours are virtual lunch time events that explore a given theme within the built environment, with complementary speakers and a Q&A discussion. For March's Urbanism Hour we'll be joined by Robert Seitovirta and Susan Wills MBE. The session will be chaired by Erlijn Mulder, Gemeente Utrecht.
In an ever increasingly digital era, this session will explore the role of libraries as places for more than just borrowing books, referencing international and local case studies. Places for community building, equipment hire, working, studying, researching, relaxing - libraries have the capacity to occupy a vital civic role. Join us for a discussion of the how and the why.
Speakers
Robert Seitovirta
Robert is Head of the Media Culture Unit at Helsinki Central Library Oodi, offering a wide range of digital services to support media literacy and creative storytelling. He collaborates closely with librarians, designers, and technologists to curate exhibitions, media literacy initiatives, and events that engage diverse audiences in creative and cultural activities.
He is a literature and library enthusiast with a background in academic research and managerial expertise from libraries and the Finnish book market. He’s passionate about digital transformation, community-oriented organizing, makerspaces and knowledge-driven leadership.
Susan Wills MBE
Susan Wills joined Surrey County Council in November 2019 and currently works as the Assistant Director for Arts, Culture & Libraries.
Sue is proud of her track record in Surrey and Sue’s achievements include a new library operating model that delivered significant savings of £0.5m without impacting front line delivery, setting up new partnerships with the likes of the BBC and the British Library and securing the financial resilience of services through a new robust financial plan plus a £20m capital investment programme that put libraries centre stage in the ‘place’ agenda.
Sue is a Local Government Association Peer Reviewer for libraries in England, a member of the English Public Libraries Stakeholder Working Group and a Community Managed Libraries National Peer Network Board Member. Sue has also just stepped down from her role as the CILIP Professional Registration Panel External Examiner for Public Libraries,
Sue has contributed to various Government-led reviews of public libraries and advises the Department of Culture, Media & Sport.
Before joining Surrey Sue has had a number of senior roles in libraries including head of libraries in Cambridgeshire and Poole and Sue has also held senior positions in London authorities including Lambeth and Kensington & Chelsea.
