Past, Present, and Future of the Digital Public Library of America

Event Description

This event is being co-sponsored by the Harvard Law School Library and the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University.

Please join us for a discussion about the role of libraries in a technological society. Conceived of at Harvard and incubated by the Berkman Klein Center, the Digital Public Library of America recently announced the appointment of John Bracken as its new executive director. We will reflect on the DPLA’s past, present and future and explore the way in which libraries can contribute to a stronger civic life in the midst of disruptive times. Co-hosted by the Berkman Klein Center and the Harvard Law School Library, the gathering will take place on Friday, February 2, from 3:00-5:00pm in the Caspersen Room (fourth floor) at the Harvard Law School Library, with a reception to follow.

About John S. Bracken

As Executive Director, John Bracken leads DPLA’s staff, board, and key stakeholders in developing a clear vision and strategy for DPLA’s future with a focus on continued growth, innovation, and services. Bracken joins DPLA from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, where he was vice president of technology innovation. He previously directed Knight’s journalism and media innovation program, before becoming vice president of media innovation. Bracken received his undergraduate degree from the Claremont Colleges’ Pitzer College, and a Master’s degree from the Annenberg​ ​School​ ​for​ ​Communication​,​ ​at the University​ ​of​ ​Pennsylvania. Bracken previously worked at the Ford Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. He currently serves on the board of Illinois Humanities.
 

We will also be joined by our colleagues:

Jonathan Zittrain, George Bemis Professor of International Law; Vice Dean for Library and Information Resources; Faculty Director, Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society; Professor of Computer Science, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; Professor, Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government

Bob Darnton, Carl H. Pforzheimer University Professor and University librarian, emeritus, Harvard 

Maura Marx, President, Fidelity Foundation

Jocelyn Kennedy, Executive Director, Harvard Law School Library

Mary Minow, Advanced Leadership Initiative Fellow, Harvard 

Nicco Mele, Director, Shorenstein Center

Philipp Schmidt, Director of Learning Innovation, MIT Media Lab

Urs Gasser, Executive Director, Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society; Professor of Practice, Harvard Law School

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