Nordic Libraries Annual 2026 – Libraries and preparedness

27.10.2026 09:00

Webinar: Library Channel

Our world has changed radically over the past few years. As a result, preparedness has become a prominent topic of discussion among both the public and policymakers. Potential threats can take many different forms, including power and data communication disruptions, cyber threats, threats related to the natural environment and climate and hybrid interference.
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In Finland, municipalities are required to develop contingency plans to ensure that essential services and functions can continue as effectively as possible even during emergencies and exceptional circumstances. Public libraries are a statutory municipal service in Finland and are expected to remain operational also during crises and exceptional situations. Therefore, the role of libraries must be recognized and integrated into municipal contingency planning.

This event will examine preparedness from different perspectives and from across Europe. What does preparedness mean for the public and for public libraries? How does preparedness take shape in libraries under different circumstances and what examples and experiences already exist within the library sector?

Speakers

Programme

Moderator Päivi Jokitalo

9.00-9.05 Welcome words, Anu Ojaranta, Finnish Supervisory Agency
9.05-9.35 When crisis becomes everyday life: What can we learn from Ukrainians? Journalist and writer Maxim Fedorov, Finnish Broadcasting Company
9.35-10.05 The title of the presentation will be updated shortly. Major General Sami Nurmi, DCOS Strategy, Finnish Defence Forces
10.05-10.15  BREAK
10.15-10.45 The title of the presentation will be updated shortly. Paula Menéndez García-Argüelles, Jefa de Servicio Económico-Administrativo, Subdirección General de Coordinación Bibliotecaria, Ministry of Culture.
10.45-11.15 Crisis preparedness for libraries based on the experience of Ukrainian libraries. Scientific Secretary Svitlana Kovalchuk, Yaroslav Mudryi National Library of Ukraine
11.15-12.30 LUNCH
12.30-13.00 Swedish libraries in times of crises.  A presentation on how Swedish public libraries are preparing for the worst. Desk Officer Eleonor Grenholm, National library of Sweden
13.00-13.35 Libraries as Information Points in Times of Crises. Ella Lang-Åberg, Department Manager, Shared Resources department, Public Library of Lund, Sweden
13.35-13.50  BREAK
13.50-14.15 Civil Protection and what the public libraries can do. Stine-Marie Schmedling, Manager of department for democracy and freedom of speech, Tønsberg and Færder Library, Norway.
14.15-14.35 Lapland Libraries’ Plan for Preparedness. Miia Utriainen, Library Manager, Sompio Library, Sodankylä

Further Information

The participation link will be sent in the registration confirmation and in a reminder message before the event.

The event is free of charge.

Programme details will be updated as they become available, and changes to the programme may occur.

The presentations will be recorded. 

Information about the event:
Senior officer Anu Ojaranta, anu.ojaranta@lvv.fi, +358 295 255061
Senior officer Lena Sundström, lena.sundstrom@lvv.fi, +358 295 255 581.

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Event time

Starts:   27.10.2026 09:00
Ends:   27.10.2026 14:30

Event location

Webinar: Library Channel