Senior Research Scientist and Lecturer Martin Wolske visited several libraries in the Netherlands this week, where he discussed current issues in community informatics and the future of public libraries in the United States and Europe. He visited The National Library of the Netherlands, Delft Public Library, and Tilburg Public Library.
Wolske spoke at an event for information professionals hosted by Tilburg Public Library on April 26. The event was open to staff of all public libraries in the Noord-Brabant province through the BiebLab Brabant library network innovation program. He was invited to inspire event attendees with a presentation on innovation in libraries and the future role of librarians. His talk was titled, “Exploring the Future of Public Libraries, Community, and Innovation.”
Wolske teaches courses on community engagement, community informatics, networked systems, and technology. In his work at GSLIS and the Center for Digital Inclusion, he has been actively involved in multiple grant-funded projects in the realms of community informatics and digital inclusion, including Sowing Seeds, Mix IT Up! Youth Advocacy Librarianship, Digital Literacy for ALL Learners, and the Illini Gadget Garage. He is a recipient of the Campus Award for Excellence in Public Engagement and the Library Journal Teacher of the Year Award.