Nordic Research School in Library and Information Science

Libraries in transition
Public Libraries in a Historical, Social, Cultural and Cultural Communication and Political Research Perspective

Purpose of the course:
Western societies are in the middle of a major social and cultural transition, affecting institutions, traditions and conditions of every day life. Philosophers talk about postmodernity and the death of the big stories of the Enlightenment, social theorist talk about late modernity, post-traditionalism, cultural theorist about cultural and aesthetic complexity. The course is focusing on the public libraries in this transition. Where did they come from? How do we read and understand them now? Where are they heading? And why?

The course will include following issues:

- Social and Cultural Theory on transition
- Interpretive metodology
- Public Libraries in a historical perspective
- Public Libraries in a modern theoretical perspective
- Public librairies in a cultural communication perspective
- Public Libraries in cultural political perspective
- Public Libraries in aesthetic perspectives
- Public Libraries, multi media and cultural knowledge organisation

Main responsible persons:
Prof. Beth Juncker , RSLIS, Copenhagen
Ass. Prof. Trine Schreiber , RSLIS, Copenhagen
Ass. Prof. Audrone Glosiene , Vilnius University, Lithuania

Location:
University of Vilnius

Time:
Nov 14-18 2005

Accommodation:
Further information will follow the course program

Application deadline:
August 10 2005

Credits:
NORSLIS recommends 7.5 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) for this course, which includes workshops (3 ECTS). Final credits are decided by the person in charge of the local Ph.D. program.

How to apply:
Research students are required to submit:
- a short (max. 1 page) abstract of their PhD research topic
- a description( max. 3 pages) of the special subject, related to the course, they want to present and elaborate in workshops
- a brief CV
The application should be electronically submitted by August 10, 2005 in either word or RTF-format to research secretary Lil Foged at lf@db.dk.

The application must contain the following information:
Name of course/workshop:
Last name:
First name:
Birth date:
Male/female:
E-mail address:
Estimated travel costs:
Name of supervisor:
Supervisor's e-mail address:

Participation is primarily reserved for Ph.D. students registred at one of the 15 NORSLIS departments. Provided that there is room for more participants, Ph.D. students from outside the NORSLIS departments, as well as researchers and lecturers at the NORSLIS departments, may participate. However, travel and accommodation costs cannot be financed by NORSLIS for these two groups.

Reimbursement of travel and accomodation costs

Link to the homepage of the course/workshop (will come up later)