The library is not a place, it’s a concept. | Bill Ptacek | TEDxCalgary

Community libraries are part of the fabric of a city, but they're as much a concept as a physical place. Changing our thinking about the role of libraries as a place where communities are built and sustained takes us beyond books (still very important!) to all the other ways that libraries can connect us.
Revolutionizing Community
Breathing new life into how Calgarians access knowledge, information, culture, and stories, Bill Ptacek, CEO of the Calgary Public Library, is revolutionizing a beloved 104-year old institution to create the best public library in the world…one community library at a time. As the 240,000 sq. ft. New Central Library transforms downtown Calgary, the Library system is revolutionizing community building for the entire city, making the Library relevant in the lives of all Calgarians.
Learn more and take part at www.calgarylibrary.ca
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@deborahgoodwin1379]

I believe library change lives because it changed mines!!!❤❤❤

[@RafaelSantos-xl1ut]

WOW!!! A place that provides encounters with such diverse people is definetely a place we need right now!

[@fluff_thorrent]

What an inspirational guy. Sad to hear he passed away a year ago...

[@cindyhalpern3187]

Thank you. Libraries have been important to me in my life and that of my daughter.

[@Pamzoo]

What about the concept that libraries are a habit. I'm a public service librarian and can tell you that the majority of users are repeat customers. Some people use the computers, some the books, some want digital content, some for the programs....usually they have their 'thing' they want from the library. So my view is that as librarians we should focus on those uses that hook people on libraries. To me, that which what inspires our repeat users and there is no formula because this varies by community. It does mean that you have to try things and then listen to the customer! So progressive librarianship is made in the trenches by empowered librarians who try stuff and stumble on successes that keep people coming back. Your cannot know until you try, often, and with gleeful passion that this might work (or not!).

[@philipcuypers683]

As a fellow public service librarian, I agree very much with of what you're saying. The services we provide as public libraries are, to a large degree, defined by the public, because one the main reasons we exist (if not the main reason) is to offer the public want they want and need in terms of information, culture etc. The best way to get to know these wants is by reaching out to ALL people in the community, listening (like you so say) to what their needs are and subsequently try to create accessible ways for them to actually get what they need. Icing on the cake for me personally is to offer those same people different and contradicting opinions along the way, because that's how people start to question what they already believe and form new insights. Greetings from Belgium.

[@jelousjoseph8945]

Good observation.

[@amilamayantha8513]

@@jelousjoseph8945m

[@Qwuiet]

My local public library is my sanctuary, I can’t live without it!

[@tenzindolma3874]

Thank you 🙏

[@shreyaschavan8851]

Awesome 😊

[@tamara7301]

amazing man

[@mufradhossain8883]

Library is a process.❤ Its not a place.

[@Dansuperfly]

you would think you'd be able to have your own library at home. Sadly my party loving neighbours along with the supe and these "rules" within the building think otherwise...and the fact that absurdly loud capacity speakers are sold like hot bread just makes it hilarious.

[@bumblesby]

Interesting that they decided to build a spectacle of a central library and not spend the money to put branches in the poorest neighborhoods where the need is.

[@justinwang7996]

bumblesby I’m sure there are efforts put into that sir. Just there is bias to make better things in better places to make things even better. The note we hear the clearest in a chord is the highest note.

[@araz6322]

Are you bill gates brother lol

[@212inspire]

“Isn’t it amazing that the richest man in the world and the homeless are together in one room???” :///// um isn’t it amazing that that happened and bill gates is still bill gates

[@TS-yd6cn]

Right? Suggesting the homeless woman is so lucky and blessed to have shared a space that the rich sometimes visit. Or that the rich are so blessed to share a space the homeless are permitted to visit. I doubt it makes the homeless feel better. I don't care where Bill Gates goes. A library isn't there to make spaces I can share with Bill Gates.

[@civil_tof0]

boooo! this sucks. we had this boring lecture played in our school

[@box57675]

dude this ain't boring