Live-stream recording from the conference Nordic Libraries Annual 2025. This live-streamed video includes a presentation by Åsmund Bertelsen, Democracy Developer and Project Manager, Sara Bindeballe, Library Facilitator, and Peter Jørgensen, Library Facilitator, Aarhus Public Libraries, Denmark: “Libraries as Potential Bridge-Builders in a Polarized Society”. Before the presentation, the moderator of the conference, Päivi Jokitalo, introduces the speakers.
Åsmund Bertelsen is a Project Manager specializing in politically governed organizations, democratic processes, and participation. Since 2020, he has led Aarhus Public Libraries’ cross-cutting strategic democracy initiative, focusing on strengthening democratic dialogue between citizens and politicians and enhancing democratic participation through diverse and inclusive library activities.
Sara Bindeballe is a Library Facilitator working with Democratic Engagement at Aarhus Public Libraries, based at Dokk1 / Aarhus Main Library. She organizes debates, initiates partnerships, and works on the inclusion and empowerment of minorities and marginalized groups.
Peter Jørgensen is a Library Facilitator working with Democratic Engagement at Aarhus Public Libraries, based at Gellerup Library. He develops and facilitates participatory events, talks, and debates, and collaborates with local partners to strengthen community ties and social cohesion.
Nordic Libraries Annual is an annual conference that addresses topical issues in public libraries and library development.
The Nordic Libraries Annual 2025 was organized in Helsinki on October 29–30, 2025. The two-day event included library visits on the first day, while the presentations took place on October 30 in Maijansali at Oodi Central Library. The theme of the 2025 conference was “Libraries Working Against Polarisation.” Polarisation is one of the most topical issues in society today, and it also affects libraries and their field of work.
Public libraries are considered vital societal institutions. Nordic Libraries Annual 2025 examined polarisation as a phenomenon from various perspectives and highlighted Nordic examples of how libraries can help mitigate it. Presentations were given by speakers from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland.
The conference was organized by the Regional State Administrative Agencies in Finland in collaboration with Kirjastokaista and funded by Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture.
Read more:
All videos from the conference
See more presentations in English
Live-stream: Mikko Helander, Joonas Nevalainen and Jonne Taipale
Producer: Riitta Taarasti
Produced by Library Channel (Kirjastokaista), 2025
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