Calibre (ka la buh, NOT ka lee bra), the open-source ebook manager (https://calibre-ebook.com), remains to be popular among amateur librarians and digital libraries. Over time, the software was supplemented by many new features and plugins. Now, we want to revisit the digital library as an extensible space, and step back into the imagination of the library as a generative and social environment.
In this capacity, we would like to spend time to think through parameters of holding and releasing in relation to how library systems hold and (simultaneously can be a place to) release knowledge. Rather than on/off switches, where releasing begins when holding ends and vice-versa, we approach them as parameters that allow us to think along an axis where it may be possible to hold and release at the same time. So far we understand holding to be possessing, claiming, waiting, stating, structuring. To release might be to liberate, leak, issue, sequence and let go.
Concretely, over two days we want to begin to rethink digital library software, starting from Calibre. We'll do this through a range of hands-on experiments, exploring analog, digital and social interfaces between texts and readers. We will depart on this journey with a collection of zines that have been gathered in Varia as material to start rethinking extensible library systems through.
To register interest in participating in this Partyline, please send an email to info@varia.zone with [hold and release] in the subject by the 31st of May, 2022 8th of June, 2022 (at the end of the day). We are looking for a group of 8-10 people who enjoy frequent engagement with library systems in some form and/or have intimate knowledge of structuring digital files. To get the best out of the Hold & Release Partyline*, attendance on both days is important & appreciated. The Hold & Release Partyline is organised by Manetta Berends and Simon Browne.
Follow our log to get a glimpse on the preperations: https://vvvvvvaria.org/logs/hold-and-release/
Date: Friday 10th + Saturday 11th of June, 2022
Time: 11:00-13:00 + 14:00-16:00 on both days
Location: Varia (Gouwstraat 3, Rotterdam)
*Partylines are two day-long semi-structured collective learning situations. The name is inspired by local loop telephone circuits between neighbours, which made it possible to tune into a collective call. These so called "partylines" quickly became a source of entertainment, a place where gossip is shared, but also where emergencies would be communicated. The convivial and communal function of the historical partylines is what inspired us to organise 5 thematic partylines in the 2022 Varia programme.
This project is supported by the Creative Industries Fund NL.
