Lecture & Documentary Film Showing of "Ex Libris: The New York Public Library"
The UConn Library and Hartford Public Library invite you to a day of conversation and networking, Wednesday, August 22nd. We will be showing the documentary, Ex Libris: The New York Public Library with a panel discussion following. The press release with more information is below.
What Should Today’s Library Look Like? Lecture & Documentary Film Showing of Ex Libris: The New York Public Library
Do we need libraries? Could a private business like Amazon replace libraries? What are libraries doing to make themselves relevant in today’s world? Explore these questions with members of the Hartford area library community on Wednesday, August 22nd at the Spotlight Theatre in Hartford.
In a recent Forbes opinion piece, the author argued libraries do not have the same value they used to, and could easily be replaced by a for-profit business such as Amazon. Even though Forbes has removed the article, the author’s reasoning is important to explore because this is not a new idea. Libraries all over the country, both public and academic, face the same questions about the role of today’s library. After all, the internet is full of information right at your fingertips and that is all you need, right?
Libraries and the communities they serve see it differently.
This discussion is what film director Frederick Wiseman wanted us to have when he released the documentary Ex Libris: The New York Public Library. Ex Libris, which will be shown on Wednesday, August 22nd at 10:00am at the Spotlight Theatre, employs Wiseman’s unique style to showcase one of the most iconic libraries in the country – the New York Public Library.
The documentary suggests successful libraries depend on partnerships to provide a vital space for education, culture, and community. Here at home, you can look to the example of the partnership with Hartford Public Library and the University of Connecticut. This unique arrangement was part of the University’s move to downtown Hartford, citing, in part, that each institution is working towards the same goal. “Libraries are here to help people solve problems big and small by giving access to the world of information. That is a basic truth for libraries,” noted Anne Langley, Dean of the UConn Library.
On August 22nd we invite the community to explore the role of academic and public libraries in today’s digital age with a reception and panel following a screening of the documentary. We will be joined by Ken Wiggin, Connecticut State Librarian; Anne Langley, Dean of the UConn Library; Tricia George, Director of Teen Services at Hartford Public Library; and Tom Scheinfeldt, Associate Professor of Digital Media and Design and Director of Greenhouse Studios at UConn.
The event will take place on Wednesday, August 22nd from 10:00am-4:30pm at the Spotlight Theatre, 39 Front Street, Hartford, CT and is sponsored by UConn Hartford, UConn Library, Hartford Public Library, and UConn’s Center for Judaic Studies and Contemporary Jewish Life. The film is being shown in two parts with a lunch break in between. Front Street Bistro is offering a 20% lunch discount for those attending the event. The panel presentation will begin around 3pm.
For more information and to RSVP, please contact the UConn Library at homer@uconn.edu.
- Date:
- Wednesday, August 22, 2018
- Time:
- 10:00am - 4:30pm
- Location:
- Other location
- Categories:
- Other
Event Accessibility for Guests with Disabilities
We want to provide what you need to participate!
If you require access services to participate fully, please use the Accommodation Request Form at least 7 days prior to the event.
If you have any questions about accessibility, please contact Gail Hurley at gail.hurley@ct.gov or (860) 704-2223.
You can also see our Library and Accessibility LibGuide for more information.
Registration Eligibility
To register for a DLD workshop or webinar, you must be one of the following:
- current library staff member
- undergraduate or graduate library student
- Friend or Board Member/Trustee*
- retired or unemployed library staff
Please contact Gail Hurley at gail.hurley@ct.gov or (860) 704-2223 with registration questions.
*Unless otherwise specified that a Friend or Board Member/Trustee is not eligible for a training or workshop.
Note: paid consultants are not eligible to attend DLD workshops or webinars.
Cancellation Policy
If you cannot attend a workshop you have registered for, please remember to cancel at least 3 days in advance so we can give your spot to someone else. You can cancel via the link in your confirmation email, or by contacting Gail Hurley gail.hurley@ct.gov | (860) 704-2222.
Those who miss (without cancelling) 3 events within a 6-month period will be placed on the waiting list when registering for future events. Be sure to sign in when you arrive for any workshop.
Inclement Weather Policy
For all in-person workshops offered by the CT State Library, Division of Library Development:
If the public schools in the town where the workshop is to be held close due to weather, the workshop will be canceled. If the schools have a delay, the workshop will go on as scheduled.
For the most up-to-date information, call us at 860-704-2200.
Continuing Education workshops and the professional development collection are funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Connecticut State Library.