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Peking University, Nov.12, 2012: To share ideas and experiences and discuss reactions to the challenges met by academic libraries, an international conference themed “Change and Challenge: Redefine the Future of Academic Libraries” & the Pacific Rim Digital Library Alliance (PRDLA) 2012 Annual Meeting was held on November 4 and 5 at Peking University (PKU). More than 240 librarians and scholars from universities worldwide attended the event.
Six topics were discussed, namely: strategy, management innovation and digital right issues; date management and service; social media and library commons; consortium, cooperation and sharing; knowledge discovery and service; user study and service outreach.
During the opening ceremony, Mary Lee Kennedy, Senior Associate Provost for the Harvard Library and Zhu Qiang, Chief Librarian of PKU Library were invited to give keynote speeches. Both of the speeches were centered on “change” and “challenge” and enlightening.
In a speech entitled "The Harvard Library 2012-Future", Mary Lee Kennedy introduced the history, the status quo and the reform measures of Harvard Library from 2010 to 2012. "Our focus remains on providing unparalleled services that can advance world-class researches and teaching."
Zhu Qiang shared his experience and views after working 30 years with the library. He reflected on the glorious history of PKU Library and introduced the latest development, with a goal that PKU Library can be a world-class academic library one day.
34 delegates of different libraries delivered their reports in the six panel sessions. Two vice Chief Librarians of PKU Library, Xiao Long and Nie Hua, delivered their reports titled "The Designing of Library as a Third Place in Campus Community：the Development of Peking University Library Building " and "The Rebirth of Phoenix-CHAIR Project" respectively. They drew a lot of attention to the development of PKU Library.
The hot words such as "changes", "reforms" and "transition" appeared many times in the discussions. Libraries from different places have their own needs in development and face different changes and challenges. The attendees gained a more profound insight in strategies and approaches of the development of future academic libraries through exchanging ideas.
During the closing ceremony, staff of PKU Library performed on the stage and their brilliance won the audience over. Excerpts of Kunqu Opera "Peony Pavilion", violin concerto of "Butterfly Lovers", "Hungarian Dance" and "Evening Primrose" and Dai dance named "Bamboo House Love Song" were just a few on the list. They showed the profound cultural foundation and artistic versatility of PKU Library, the other side other than the enthusiasm for work.
This international conference called for papers at the end of last year and received 69 submissions worldwide. The authors from China are librarians or Ph.D. candidates in universities including Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China and PKU.
There were also three exhibitions held in PKU Library, open to the public: the history of PKU Library, the select collection of epigraphy rubbings and worldwide databases. The attendees of the conference spent time enjoying the exhibitions.
Extended Reading
110th anniversary website of PKU Library
Written by: Meng Yiran
Edited by: Chen Long
Source: PKU News (Chinese)
