Target audience

You should participate in the Palermo conference if you are:

• a librarian planning the development of multicultural services delivery for the benefit of library patrons;
• a librarian or cultural heritage operator or professional educator trying to improve strategies and positive actions for intercultural dialogue in his/her institution; and/or
• a member of a cultural institution (library, archive, museum, art gallery, university) dealing with users and collections from the Mediterranean region; and/or
• a manager or researcher or technology developer from a public or private institution interested in pan-mediterranean issues.

Topics

The main topics of the conference are:

• freedom of information;
• digital divide;
• cultural institutions and their services in the Mediterranean countries;
• multicultural libraries, their collections and services;
• resources on the Mediterranean in European and all over the world libraries.

Program and social events

Most papers included in the program of the post-conference have gone through a careful selection process (call for papers and peer-reviewing). Only very few of them are invited papers. The Satellite meeting will host two key-note speakers: Dr. Sohair Wastawy from Alexandrine Library, Egypt and Dr. Anna Maria Tammaro, from University of Parma, one for each day of the conference.
An attractive extra-time program, including a social dinner and a half-day excursion, is also included in the Conference program. If you want to download the conference program, including the social activities and events, please go to the "Program" section on this website for further details: http://www.iflamed.unipa.it/index.php/iflamed/2009/schedConf/program

Conference venue

The Chiaramonte Palace, widely known as Steri (from the Latin word "Hosterium"), is found in the oldest part of the historical centre of Palermo. It was the symbol of the might and prestige of the Chiaramonte Norman family, who left behind a great testimony of their presence in Sicily. The palace was transformed and altered many times during its history. Between 1468 and 1517, during the Spanish domination, it was used as the Viceroy's residence. It was the seat of the Sicilian Parliament until 1600, and then became the seat of the Inquisition Tribunal. Furthermore, it housed the judicial offices from the 1800s until 1958 when it was claimed by the University as a seat for the Chancellorship and the Central Administrative Offices. All these different political, cultural and historical uses have changed its aspect significantly over the centuries.
Inside the Great Hall (also called "Hall of Barons", as in this chamber Charles V gave Malta and Gozo to the Order of St. John knights in exchange for the annual feudal rent of a falcon) it is possible to admire a wooden ceiling totally covered by a fine painted decoration. The ceiling is considered one of the most important artworks made in Italy during the 14th century.

How to attend

In order to be able to attend the conference you will have to:

• Go to the "Registration" section in this website
• Read through the different options for registration and the payment associated with
• Pay the conference registration fees for the type of registration you have chosen
• Register online to the conference and send a proof of payment in attachement to an e-mail to the Registration manager d.ciccarello@dicpm.unipa.it

Click here to download the list of participants.