Libraries, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

10th International Conference of the Committee for the Support of Libraries (CSL)

Athens – The Committee for the Support of Libraries (CSL) with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Athens, organizes the 10th international conference entitled: “Libraries, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.”

The Conference will be held on November 22, 2014, at the National Hellenic Research Foundation (48 Vassileos Constantinou Av., Athens) and will explore the relation between libraries and entrepreneurship.

Speakers from Germany, Spain, the U.S., the Netherlands, Sweden, and Greece have been invited to the conference and will present the mutual benefits both parties can achieve when libraries and entrepreneurs work together.

American library speaker, Kerwin Pilgrim  has worked for the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) for over thirteen years in progressively responsible positions. He is currently the Director of Adult Learning and oversees BPL’s continuum of educational services for young adult and adult learners as well as entrepreneurs, business owners, and investors.

Pilgrim’s title speech is Library Engine: Driving Economic Development through Programs, Services, Spaces, and Partnerships. He is addressing the role of entrepreneurial librarians as digital age advocates of social change, responding to patron demands, designing new services, and developing fundraising programs. Aside from the conference in Athens, Pilgrim will also give a lecture to librarians and young entrepreneurs at Koventarios Library in Kozani (November 24, at 6p.m.)

The official languages of the Conference will be Greek and English with simultaneous interpretation from English to Greek. The conference will be live streamed on: http://www.ekt.gr/events/live/ To request an interview with Kerwin Pilgrim, please contact the U.S. Embassy Press Office directly. Tel: 210-720-2098, E-mail: athembpress@gmail.com