As Library Director of Aarhus Public Libraries, Marie oversees Dokk1 (the main library) and 17 branches. Since the beginning of her library career she has been part of Aarhus Public Libraries’ development of the library as a democratic space – a non-commercial space that empowers citizenship, sustainable communities and human growth. Focusing on user-involvement, partnerships, design thinking and rethinking of library space, she has investigated new technologies, involvement processes and organisational learning in library development.

Throughout the years she has worked intensely with co-creation and partnerships – nationally and internationally – to push development, network and innovation in the library sector. She is the co-inventor of Next Library – a biannual international conference gathering thought leaders and innovators from over 30 countries around the world in a highly interactive forum discussing the development of libraries for the benefit of communities. Marie engages in international conversations and co-operation across the world about library development, democracy, advocacy and leadership.

Opening & Get2Gether   |   Fireside Chat: The Elements of a Community 

Bora Lee-Kil (b. 1990, South Korea) is a writer and filmmaker who explores the intersection of silence and sound, inspired by her upbringing as a CODA. Her acclaimed film Glittering Hands (2014) was recognized at the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival and was theatrically released in South Korea and Japan. She is currently developing her upcoming feature, Our Bodies, with support from Chicken & Egg Pictures and Berlinale Talents. She holds an MA in Artistic Research from the Netherlands Film Academy and is a fellow of UnionDocs and Brian Impact. Recognized as a Dutch Gender Champion, she continues to bridge disparate worlds through her filmmaking and her role as the representative of CODA Korea, a national network for Children of Deaf Adults.

Theme 1   |   Beyond Open Doors: Inclusive Libraries

Born in Tokyo, Nobuo Yoshinari has held a wide range of leadership roles across cultural, educational, and public institutions. His career includes serving as a board member of a CI consulting company, Research Specialist at the Ishi and Kenji Museum, Founding Director of Iwate Children’s Forest (Iwate Prefectural Children’s Center), Chair of Forest and Wind School, and Director of the Gifu City Library.

He is currently an Advisor for the Book City Akashi initiative and a Visiting Professor at Chubu Gakuin University. Alongside these roles, he operates The Secret Base of Books (MUJI Yanagase Store) and continues to engage in the creation of cultural and civic spaces across Japan.

He has appeared on NHK’s Close-Up Gendai in the feature “Why Are Libraries So Lively? The Secret Behind the Surge in Users.” His major publications include Libraries That Create Vibrancy (KADOKAWA) and Public Facilities Can Be Transformed! Reforming Public Spaces for Children (Gakubunsha).

His favorite things include children, Moomin, and cafés.

Theme 3   |   Why Place Still Matters: Libraries as Places