In our rapidly evolving world, we find ourselves navigating a landscape filled with written material, yet simultaneously witnessing a growing disconnection from traditional print media. Increasingly, we turn to social media, short videos, audiobooks and AI-tools for information and entertainment. This raises important questions about the nature and transformations of reading in today’s society: What does it mean to read in this digital age? How do changes in reading habits change libraries? Do reading and libraries remain integral to our learning processes? As new technologies take up more and more of our time instead of quality reading, are libraries under threat? How are the role and mission of libraries changing due to changes in reading?
The Bibliotheca Baltica 2026 Symposium, scheduled for 5 and 6 November in Helsinki, invites you to explore these pressing questions and more. Its goal is to engage in a meaningful dialogue about how evolving reading practices and digital innovations are reshaping our understanding of reading and libraries. It will examine the extent to which libraries can adapt to meet societal needs, the types of specialists required in libraries today, and the proactive steps we have taken and must take to remain competitive in the cultural and knowledge landscape of the future. Furthermore, it will address the critical role libraries play in combating the rising tide of disinformation, and what this has to do with changes in reading habits.
The symposium welcomes representatives from all types of libraries, as well as experts from academic institutions and information specialists, to participate in this vital conversation. Your insights and experiences are crucial as it assesses the changes in library activities and the opportunities available to us in response to rapid socio-cultural shifts.
Contributions that focus on the following themes are invited:
Join the symposium in this exploration of the intersection between reading, libraries, and cultural sustainability. Your proposals will contribute to a richer understanding of these themes and help shape the future of libraries in our communities. The organisers look forward to your submissions and to an inspiring symposium.
The submitted proposals should consist of:
– the proposed title
– a short summary (max 250 words)
– a short CV
Please send submissions prior to 10 April 2026 to Dr Jürgen Warmbrunn (juergen.warmbrunn@herder-institut.de)
The organisers kindly wish to inform you that a conference registration fee of €150 will be applicable to all participants, including the presenters. Further details regarding payment and registration deadlines will be shared in the acceptance notifications. They thank you for your understanding and welcome you to Helsinki.