Audience Tools

Affiliate Position

  • Director of Citizens' Services and Libraries, City of Aarhus

Specializations

  • Leadership and Management of Public Libraries
  • Design Methodologies for Information Science
  • Community Engagement and Partnership Building for Libraries

Research Areas

Biography

Rolf Hapel is an Affiliate Instructor at the University of Washington Information School. His work focuses on leadership and management of public libraries, the development of public library services and spaces, and community engagement and partnership building for libraries. He served as the Director of Citizens' Service and Libraries for the City of Aarhus, Denmark from 2006 to 2018. He previously worked in four Danish cities as a librarian, deputy manager, and director of public services before becoming the City Librarian at Aarhus Public Libraries in 1994. Rolf has a master’s degree in Digitization and Public Governance from Aarhus University and an MLS degree from Danmarks Biblioteksskole.

Education

  • MDP, Digitization and Public Governance, Aarhus University, 2014
  • MLS, Danmarks Biblioteksskole, 1977

Publications and Contributions

  • Journal Article, Academic Journal
    Building A Contemporary Public Library Through Community Engagement: A Personal Journey (2020)
    Public Library Quarterly (PLQ) Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Journal Article, Academic Journal
    Library Education – Bracing for the Future? (2020)
    Bibliothek Forschung und Praxis, 44(1) Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Journal Article, Academic Journal
    A New Center for an Informed Public (2019)
    Danmarks Biblioteker (Journal of the Danish Library Association), 4(Unknown Issue), pp. 19 Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Journal Article, Academic Journal
    Affirmative Action (2019)
    Danmarks Biblioteker (Journal of the Danish Library Association), 3(Unknown Issue), pp. 37 Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Journal Article, Academic Journal
    Design Thinking (2019)
    Danmarks Biblioteker (Journal of the Danish Library Association), 2(Unknown Issue), pp. 29 Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Journal Article, Academic Journal
    Investing in Libraries (2019)
    Danmarks Biblioteker (Journal of the Danish Library Association), 5(Unknown Issue), pp. 9 Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Interview
    Rolf Hapel: Towards a Global Instruction and Practice (2018)
    Library Journal Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Journal Article, Public or Trade Journal
    The future of the public libraries – legislation and library development. An essay. (2018)
    Danmarks Biblioteker,, pp. 16-27 Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Interview
    How Dokk1 Doubled the Number of Visitors (2017)
    Princh Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Conference Workshop Paper
    Skills and competences for library workers in contemporary public libraries (2016)
    Librarians: Gears of the Motors for Change. IFLA president elect 2015-2017 session, pp. 64-71 Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Journal Article, Public or Trade Journal
    From Library to Multi-House ”Fra Bibliotek til Multihus” (2015)
    Danmarks Biblioteker,, pp. 16-17 Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Book, Chapter in Scholarly Book-New
    Libraries in the Digital Era (2014)
    The Planet Reading: Handbook on reader engagement in libraries, pp. 29-35 Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Journal Article, Public or Trade Journal
    Öffentlichen Bibliotheken im digitalen Zeitalter (2014)
    Büchereiperspektiven. Fachzeitschrift des Büchereiverbandes Ôsterreichs,, pp. 10-12 Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Magazine/Trade Publication
    Widespread support for Danish Digital Library ”Bred opbakning til Danskernes Digitale Bibliotek” (2013)
    Perspektiv,, pp. pg. 7 Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Interview
    Danish Digital Library is an important investment in the future of libraries (2012)
    Bibliotek og Viden: Nyt fra Kulturstyrelsen, pp. pg. 4 Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Journal Article, Academic Journal
    The Library As A Place (2012)
    Public Library Quarterly, 31(1), pp. 48-56 Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Magazine/Trade Publication
    Trends from Philadelphia ”Tendenser fra Philadelphia” (2012)
    Perspektiv,, pp. 26-28 Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Magazine/Trade Publication
    Library as a Place ”Biblioteket som sted” (2011)
    Perspektiv,, pp. 38-42 Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Book, Chapter in Scholarly Book-New
    Digital Library Development in the Public Library Sector in Denmark (2010)
    Business Planning for Digital Libraries, pp. 185-194 Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Journal Article, Public or Trade Journal
    Ting (2010)
    Danmarks Biblioteker,, pp. 24-25 Author: Rolf Hapel
  • Journal Article, Professional Journal
    Urban Mediaspace Aarhus (2010)
    Bibliothek, Forschung und Praxis, 34(3), pp. 331-336 Author: Rolf Hapel

Presentations

  • The Evolving Role of Libraries Today (2020)
    Seattle Public Library Foundation - Seattle, WA
  • A New Story About the Library in the Networked Society (2019)
    INCOL - Inland Northwest Council of Libraries Spring 2019 Workshop - Spokane, WA
  • Brave New Learning (2019)
    Conference at the Amsterdam Public Library - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • Change and Innovation in Contemporary Libraries (2019)
    Washington State Public Library Director's Meeting - Seattle, WA
  • Community Engagement and Enablement (2019)
    King County Library Systems Board of Trustees Retreat - Seattle, WA
  • Current trends in Libraries and Community Partnerships (2019)
    Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries - Vancouver, WA
  • Design Thinking for Libraries: Concepts & Techniques (2019)
    Internet Librarian 2019 Conference - Monterey, CA
  • Design, Smart Communities & Engagement! (2019)
    Computers in Libraries 2019 - Arlington, VA
  • Distinctive Positioning for the Future (2019)
    Computers in Libraries 2019 - Arlington, VA
  • Dutch Library Leaders (2019)
    Library Development, Library Education, and iSchools - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • Four Spaces of the Public Library (2019)
    Kitsap Regional Libraries Staff Day 2019 - Kitsap County, WA
  • Leadership for the Future of Libraries (2019)
    ALA Midwinter Meeting - Seattle, WA
  • Library Development and Opportunities in Challenging Times (2019)
    Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries - Vancouver, WA
  • Misinforamtion and its Malcontents: University of Washington Research and Implications for Libraries (2019)
    ALA Midwinter Meeting - Seattle, Wa
  • Smart Community Engagement & Enablement (2019)
    Internet Librarian 2019 Conference - Monterey, CA
  • Strategies & Practices for Libraries (2019)
    Computers in Libraries 2019 - Arlington, VA
  • The Future of Libraries (2019)
    Toronto Public Library: Technology, Social Infrastructure, and Reshaping Libraries for the Future - Toronto, Ontario
  • Trends in Libraries and Library Work (2019)
    Kitsap Regional Libraries Staff Day 2019 - Kitsap County, WA
  • Wizards, Prophets & Our Future! (2019)
    Internet Librarian 2019 Conference - Monterey, CA
  • Change the Game Through Co-Creation and Citizen Engagement (2018)
    OCLC Americas Regional Conference 2018 “Change the Game” - Chicago, Illinois
  • Global Librarianship Trends (2018)
    National Library of the Netherlands and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) - The Hague, Netherlands
  • How to Apply the Four Spaces Model to Change Your Library (2018)
    Creating Better Library: The Unfinished Knowledge TK Forum - Bangkok, Thailand
  • A New Tale of the Public Library in the Networked Society (2017)
    Australian Library and Information Association Information Online 2017 Conference - Sydney, Australia
  • A New Tale of the Public Library in the Networked Society (2017)
    Convegno: Libraries change cities. Urban and social impact of new libraries - Milan, Italy
  • New Ways of Working – a Danish approach to Design Thinking and other participatory methods in the libraries (2017)
    IFLA/ALA Webinar - Online
  • Dokk1, un exemple concret de la démarche Ville Intelligente (2016)
    Innovation en Bibliothèque: Sociale, Territoriale et Technologiqué, 62nd French Librarians Associations Congress - Clermont-Ferrand, France
  • The Library as Open & Informal Learning Center for the Networked Society (2016)
    Information Technology in Education 2016: Makerspaces for Cultural Innovators - Beijing and Guangzhou, China
  • In the wake of the Digital Evolution: Rethinking the Public Library (2015)
    CILIP Ireland and Library Association of Ireland Annual Joint Conference: Collaborate, Evaluate, Evolve - Belfast, Ireland
  • Rethinking the Public Library: Digital Services and the Impact on the Library as a Space (2015)
    Changing Societies – Changing role of Libraries - IFLA MLAS midterm meeting - Greece
  • Digitization and the Meaning of Place (2014)
    International Librarians Association Conference: Die Zukunft Hat Schon Begonnen (The Future Has Already Started) - Vienna, Austria
  • Library as Studio: Designing for Creativity (2014)
    Next Library 2014 - Chicago, IL
  • Publicity Video (2014)
    Internet Week Denmark - Aarhus, Denmark
  • Rethinking the Public Library: Digitizing services and their impact on the library as a place (2014)
    Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS) Conference 2014 - Dundee, Scotland
  • The Embedded Library (2014)
    Conference de BredeBien - Utrecht, the Netherlands
  • SMARTAarhus (2013)
    EU Parliament - Brussels, Belgium
  • The Danish Digital Library – development of infrastructure and services– and what that means for library as a place (2013)
    The Slovenian Library Association Congress. Challenges in Librarianship: Vision.Strategy.Tactics. - Lasko, Slovenia
  • Danish Digital Library powered by TING – about Open Source and Joined Efforts in Public Libraries (2012)
    IFLA World Library and Information Congress, 78th IFLA General Conference and Assembly 2012 - Helsinki, Finland
  • Libraries as Community Education Centers (2012)
    ITIE2012: 5th International Conference on Information Technology in Education - Hangzhou Library, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
  • Meaning and Roles for the Public Library in the Networked Society’ (2012)
    LIANZA 2012 Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa - Palmerston North, New Zealand
  • Bibliothek von Morgen: Der "Urban Media Space" in Århus (Dänemark) (2010)
    Chancen 2010 – Die Bibliothek als Ort - Essen, Germany
  • Transforming the Public Libraries: From Institutions of the Industrial Age to Change Agents for the Networked Society – Experiences from Denmark (2010)
    ITIE2010: Inspiration from Best Practices, 4th International Conference on Information Technology in Education - LanZhou University Convention Centre, GanSu Province, China