Lecture: “National Libraries in the digital era―focusing on the strategies of the National Library of the Netherlands”
(This event has ended.)

How can libraries incorporate digital innovation to benefit their patrons? Given that the National Library of the Netherlands (KB) is working on the creation of an advanced digital information infrastructure suitable for a national library, we are pleased to invite both the Director General and the Strategic Advisor of the KB to lecture on issues related to catching the wave of digital innovation and reflecting its benefits to library users. Both will speak about the KB's efforts to achieve its strategic plan, including promotion of digital literacy, construction of a digital-first collection, and cooperation with other libraries and related institutions.

Leaflet (in Japanease) (PDF file: 388KB)

Presentation material (PDF file: 6.12MB)

Panel discussion materials (English translation, PDF file: 631KB)

Video of the lecture (NDL’s YouTube channel)

Photo by:
E. Weers/E. Colmjon

Dr. Lily KNIBBELER, director general of the National Library of the Netherlands (KB)

Dr. Lily Knibbeler is the Director-general of the KB, national library of the Netherlands. She studied History at Leiden University and earned her Ph.D. with a thesis on ancient Greek crisis management. She was a visiting fellow at Harvard University and University College London. She has worked in a variety of management roles at the National Library since 2008 and was named Director General in 2015, the same year that the new Public Library Law delegated responsibility for the digital public library and network of public libraries to the KB. Her focus in this role, and her various positions in the field of libraries, heritage and research has been on societal value, digital transformation and network collaboration.

Ms. Elsbeth KWANT, strategic advisor at the National Library of the Netherlands (KB)

Ms. Kwant studied at Leiden University from 1995 to 2000, specializing in Russian history and social history before receiving a master’s degree in intellectual and book history. In 2020 she received a master's degree in Managing Information and Sustainable Change. She took part in university press and database projects while at Leiden. After participating in the development of a general strategy as well as in cultural and research programs at the National Library of the Netherlands, she was named Strategic Advisor to the Directorate in 2015. Since 2017, she has served on the Board of the European Heritage Hub Europeana, and is Chair of the Museum Registry Committee in the Netherlands.

Prof. TAKEUCHI Hiroya, vice president and professor of Library and Information Science at Chiba University

Prof. Takeuchi worked at the University of Tokyo Library and the UNESCO Bangkok Office. He later served as associate professor at the University of Shizuoka Junior College and the Shizuoka University of Art and Culture before coming to Chiba University, where he first served as associate professor. Thereafter, he was promoted to professor and named director of the Academic Link Center as well as librarian and vice president of the University.

Mr. OBA Toshiyasu, director general of the Digital Information Department at the National Diet Library

Mr. Oba has worked at the National Diet Library since 1990. He was appointed director general of the Digital Information Department in April 2021 after holding key senior positions such as director of the Library Support Division and the Digital Library Division in the Kansai-kan, the Digital Information Distribution Division and the Digital Information Planning Division in the Digital Information Department, the Accounts Division, and the Planning Division in the Administrative Department as well as deputy director general of the Administrative Department.