On April 13, 2023 Dr Przemysław Krysiński from the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń presented the lecture Presence of innovative solutions implemented in different areas of information space and embedded in the assumptions of the smart city concept, considering in particular the GLAM sector institutions.
The speaker began with a definition of a smart city, referring to Rudolf Giffinger's concept, determining its 6 key elements: smart economy, smart mobility, smart environment, smart people, smart governance, and smart living.
Next the lecturer presented implementations of the smart city concept in the information sector and beyond. Among the types of entities operating in the information sector, he mentioned libraries and scientific and technical information centres in one of four groups (besides theatres, schools, news agencies, mass media, and publishing houses, among others).
Substantial part of the lecture dealt with the role of libraries in a smart city, which dr Krysiński illustrated with concepts offered by Mariusz Luterek and Mayukha Bagchi. He also referred to J. Schöpfel's article, according to which a newly defined roles and new principles of libraries in the ecosystem are: smart services, smart people, smart site, and smart management.
Next the speaker presented initiatives undertaken in Polish libraries from the perspective of: smart business, digital literacy/ social participation, smart services/ digital literacy, smart services/ sustainable development, smart infrastructure/ digital literacy.
The final part of the lecture was devoted to presentation of the projects implemented in foreign libraries.
Concluding, Dr Krysiński emphasised that libraries in smart cities are becoming central points on their maps, significantly strengthening the potential of cities. Librarians, on the other hand, „are increasingly taking on the role of moderators and tutors, becoming active participants of this process. They are no longer just guides through the world of information, but first and foremost knowledge managers, serving with their competences not only to the inhabitants, but also local entrepreneurs”.
Extensive reference list concerning the lecture's subject is a part of the presentation.
Those who are interested in learning on the topic, we kindly invite to the website of the Digital Archive of the PLA Scientific and Educational Publishing House, where full texts of publications on smart cities can be found under the heading Smart cities and villages.