ATTN! Concerning the flights and other travel arrangements, see the news in the Practical Information!

With the great number of library resources and services available remotely, why is the physical library building still important? The physical library need no longer be just a warehouse of information, but can become a place for interaction, learning, and community. This workshop will explore some of the new and exciting ways library buildings focus on user needs such as an information commons, cybercafes, and self services.

With greater dependence on information and convenience, libraries are also increasingly developing services available beyond the library walls such as enhanced electronic collections, virtual reference, and collaborations with services offered by other information providers. What will be the needs for physical and virtual library services five or ten years from now? And, how can we effectively plan for the future to balance collections, services and staffing between the physical and digital library environments?

Please join us in what is expected to be an exciting exchange of information and discussion between reference librarians and librarians responsible for buildings and equipment.

There will be possibilities to participate in library tours (public and research libraries) on Wednesday, 10 August, before noon on Thursday, 11 August and on Saturday, 13 August. In Finland, many new library buildings have been built in recent years with the virtual library service in mind.

This satellite meeting will be of interest to both practitioners and decision makers interested in improving library services in both the physical and virtual environments and especially for those, planning new library buildings.

The satellite meeting is organised by the IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section in co-operation with the IFLA Reference and Information Services Section.