New Librarianship

What is New Librarianship? It is librarianship recast through a focus on communities and knowledge over collections and buildings. It is about the “why” of libraries and librarianship over the “how.” It all starts with the mission of the librarian:

The mission of librarians is to improve society through facilitating knowledge creation in their communities

This approach is detailed in the Atlas of New Librarianship, and is extended in the New Librarianship Field Guide. It also includes tools for librarians like the New Librarianship MOOC (used by over 3,000 participants) and non-librarians like Expect More: Demanding Better Libraries for Today’s Complex World.

This page serves as simply a cover for these projects and the deeper content for you to explore.


Blog Posts, Presentations, and Other New Librarianship Information

To Improve is Not a Neutral Act
"To Improve is Not a Neutral Act" Biblioteche Innovazione Comunita, Bergamo, Italy …
New Librarianship and AI
So I've been thinking about the great opportunity AI presents librarians and …
Radicals, Rebellion, and Saving Our Communities
"Radicals, Rebellion, and Saving Our Communities" Keynote for EAHIL Workshop 2023, Trondheim …
The Real AI: Augmented Intelligence
"The Real AI: Augmented Intelligence." Presentation to the Enssib event 1, 2, …
Librarians as “Truth Guns”
Librarians as “Truth Guns.” A presentation to Kazakhstan librarians. Abstract: A discussion …
Biblioteche di Comunità in Corea del Sud
My Publishers Weekly piece on community libraries has been translated into Italian …
Library as Movement
"Library as Movement" Iowa Libraries Online Conference 2023 Abstract: The library is …
Video from Neutinamu, South Korea
Young-Sook “Soy” Park and the amazing folks at the Neutinamu library made …
Master of None
"Master of None." Wild Wisconsin Winter Web Conference. via Video Abstract: Librarians …
Less; Better, a Workbook, and Looking for Feedback
I don't know what you did over your winter break (for those …
Exploring the Innovative Community Libraries of Korea
Lankes, R. David (Jan. 12, 2023). Exploring the Innovative Community Libraries of …
Guida alla bibliotecnomia moderna
https://vimeo.com/788130778 My opening remarks and answering questions for a webinar celebrating the …
Field Guide Translated into Italian
I am overjoyed that The New Librarianship Field Guide has not been …
Guida alla biblioteconomia moderna
Guida alla biblioteconomia moderna. Lankes, R. David (2022). Milan, Italy: Editrice Bibliografica
OF the People
"OF the People." National Assembly Busan Library. Busan, Korea. Abstract: National and …
Future of Libraries
"Future of Libraries." National Library of Korea 77th Anniversary Conference. Seoul, Korea. …
Collective Individuality
“Collective Individuality: How libraries can support individual action” State Library Victoria Public …
Less; Better
"Less; Better." State Librarian's Program, New Jersey Library Association Annual Conference 2022. …
Publisher’s Weekly U.S. Book Show Library Program
Publisher's Weekly just hosted another great Book SHow. As part of it …
Serving & Saving Communities
"Serving & Saving Communities." Tennessee Library Association Annual Conference 2022. Knoxville, TN. …