September 29th 17:00 to 18:00 [GMT (London) Time]
ALAMERE CENTRAL LIBRARY, NETHERLANDS
Chris Wiersma, Director of the New Library in Almere, a NewTown near Amsterdam, will outline how the central library was redesigned based on the changing needs and desires of library users and, in 2010, reopened as a thriving community hub that looks more like a bookstore than a library – with staff trained in marketing and customer service.
QUEENS MUSEUM, NEW YORK, USA
Prerana Reddy, Director of Public Programs & Community Engagement at the Queens Museum in New York, will talk about the work of the museum in: understanding Queens’ diverse resident base; partnering with local organizations; developing popular events, many in collaboration with local cultural producers.
About The New Barn-Raising
The New Barn-Raising is an initiative to encourage the exchange of international best practice around sustaining community and civic assets such as parks, recreation centers, libraries, neighborhood stores, senior centers, museums and theaters. These are places and spaces characterized by a high degree of accessibility, popularity and sense of belonging to 'the people'.
The term New Barn-Raising refers to how different groups (business, citizens, foundations, non-profits groups, politicians, social entrepreneurs, social investors, taxpayers and unions) can all pull together to support assets.
