Annual Lecture 2012: The Future of the Library in the Digital Age

EventsEvent Date: Oct 12th, 2012 Time: 18.30 - 20.30 Location: South Wales Miner's Library, Swansea

Technology has revolutionised access to knowledge and transformed the way information is disseminated but what does this mean for traditional institutions such as libraries? Whereas libraries provided free public access and, as in the case of workingmen’s institutes, an invaluable educational experience, much of the internet is increasingly becoming an income-generating medium access to which may depend on financial resources. While attempts to overcome the digita

l divide is necessary, might this not undermine the case for maintaining the library as we have known it? Or is it time for the library to change altogether and become a very different kind of institution?

The Bevan Foundation is delighted to introduce Sir Deian Hopkin as the speaker for the 2012 Bevan Foundation Annual Lecture.

Sir Deian Hopkin is President of the National Library of Wales and Adviser to the First Minister of Wales on the centenary commemorations of the First World War. Born in Llanelli and educated at Llandovery and Aberystwyth, he spent 44 years in higher education including 24 years at Aberystwyth, where he was Head of History and specialised both in labour history and in the use of new technologies by historians. From 2001-9 he was Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of London South Bank University and in 2010-11 interim Vice Chancellor of the University of East London following a period as interim Chairman of the Student Loans Company.

He is currently a member of the Higher Education Commission and serves on the Boards of Essex University and the City and Guilds Institute, chairs the Local Economy Policy Unit and is the Vice-Chairman of the Council for Assisting Academic Refugees. He is a board member, patron or trustee of a number of bodies including the Campaign for Learning, the Institute of Historical Research and Hillcroft College for Women and is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Times Higher Education.

The Lecture will begin with a drinks reception at 6.30pm ready for a 7pm start.

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We are grateful to Thompsons Solicitors who are generously supporting this event