Author: janholmquist

Entrepreneur: Jan has broad experience as a library director for public libraries in Denmark and New Zealand. He is the man behind the digital learning project 23 Mobile Things and other international projects like Buy India a Library. Jan is a member of the Library Advocacy Lab advising on library advocacy on a European level. Currently, Jan founded Holmquist Consult and is working as an international library, learning and leadership advisor wanting to use his experience to benefit libraries and other cultural- and learning institutions on a global level.

Libraries and the Sustainable Development Goals

Posted in collaboration, community, libraries, SDGs4 Comments

Libraries worldwide share the common goal to empower people and communities through knowledge, learning and cultural inspiration. Global problems require global solutions. During the ongoing pandemic, scientists have been working together towards a vaccine on a worldwide level. As with the pandemic, the climate and biodiversity crisis is not a problem that respects national borders.For… Continue reading Libraries and the Sustainable Development Goals

Forward

Posted in community, conference, global librarianship, Jan Holmquist, Librarianship, Movie, music, skills, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I made a song for the wonderful library conference Next Library. People can share their digital postcards with the conference this week. You know what to do… Lyrics / song / video by Jan Holmquist Forward: When everyone is in lockdownIn a life of isolationWhat keeps you mentally soundAnd away from desperation Is the stories… Continue reading Forward

Sustainability in Danish Libraries

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I was happy to be part of the first Nordic Libraries Annual conference with the Theme “Towards Sustainable Futures”. I did a keynote about sustainability in Danish libraries mainly centred around UNs Sustainable Development Goals. Here is a recording of the session: The slides are available here Feel free to contact me anytime for a… Continue reading Sustainability in Danish Libraries

New challenges for 2020

Posted in HolmquistStartup, Jan Holmquist, learningLeave a comment

I have two pieces of exciting news to share: 1) I am starting my own business in early 2020. Lately, I have been doing consultancy in Denmark, and Europe centred around Strategic leadership, innovation, collaboration and project management.I will have a desk in the heart of Copenhagen for the next 12 weeks in a shared… Continue reading New challenges for 2020

What´s he building in there?

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… We have a right to know as Tom Waits sings/croons/says on his wonderful album Mule Variations. A few sentences about what I have been doing/are up to these days: Upcoming cross European project:As a consultant, I am working with two well known European organisations on what could be a substantial new game-changing project for… Continue reading What´s he building in there?

A short personal update

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Dear friends. It has been a while. I want to update you with some short facts. Back in Denmark:Because of different personal circumstances back home, I had to leave New Zealand and go back to Denmark to be with my family. Family:I am in the middle of a divorce. A thing like that is never… Continue reading A short personal update

New job: Library director in Nelson, New Zealand

Posted in global librarianship, Jan Holmquist, librariesLeave a comment

It is the time of big decisions. I am happy and proud to announce that starting this September I will be the new library director of Nelson Public Libraries in New Zealand. I am looking forward to bringing the skills and experience from my current job in Guldborgsund, Denmark to the southern hemisphere and to… Continue reading New job: Library director in Nelson, New Zealand

New Horizons: How Libraries Create Smart Communities – For INFORUM 2018 in Prague

Posted in Advocacy, global librarianship, keynote, strategy, Uncategorized1 Comment

Libraries are more important than ever. This is not the headline you see in news media these days. If there happens to be a library-related headline it often says that libraries are obsolete because of the technological development. In a world where there is more information than ever before and where modern societies compete to… Continue reading New Horizons: How Libraries Create Smart Communities – For INFORUM 2018 in Prague

Upcoming keynote: Different perspectives – New horizons. 24th annual Inforum conference in Prague

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It is always interesting to bring different kinds of perspectives and disciplines together. That is what The INFORUM conference does and I am looking very much forward to giving a keynote at this years conference and to participate and learn from the other professionals attending. INFORUM focuses on electronic information resources and their professional use… Continue reading Upcoming keynote: Different perspectives – New horizons. 24th annual Inforum conference in Prague

Library Advocacy With Heart for #ili2017

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The way we form meaning is hugely based on the biases we have. Facts will not always convince people they are wrong. In this presentation. I focus on succesful examples of library advocacy and discuss what makes a succes. I also share insights from the Library Advocacy Lab and Public Libraries 2020 that aims for… Continue reading Library Advocacy With Heart for #ili2017