Conference URL: https://rlukconference.com/
New Frontiers: The expanding scope of the modern research library
The call for papers for the RLUK24 Conference is now open. The deadline for submissions is Friday 1 December. Read the full call for papers on the RLUK Conference website (link above).
The role of the research library continues to expand as formats multiply, technology advances, and the expectations of the research community grow. As in many sectors, AI has the potential to significantly shift the research process, research dissemination, and workflows. All aspects of library activity could be impacted, from content creation, cataloguing and metadata, through to interactions with researchers. But with these exciting possibilities come ethical considerations and the need to consider the impact on both staff and users of libraries. RLUK24 seeks to consider the potential of AI but will give space to pause and consider the implications of such rapid and significant change.
Research libraries are placed within larger institutions and the wider communities – both local, national, and international. RLUK24 will investigate the ways in which libraries can align and support institutional strategies, build partnerships, and engage with wider (often new) communities.
As our libraries take on this expanding scope, the skills that library staff need also expand. RLUK24 will look at leadership in a post-pandemic blended world, as well as ways in which we can demonstrate the impact and value of new activities.
Conference themes
RLUK24 is an open, international conference. We welcome submissions from all colleagues who share our commitment to reshape scholarship and the role of the research library, and we look forward to hearing from a range of voices that will challenge, disrupt and inspire us.
The main conference themes will include, but are not limited to, the following:
Innovation and AI in the library
- The changing skills required of both library staff and library users
- Ethical considerations
- The changing needs for information literacy
- Implications for collections – how we collect and how we describe our collections
- Libraries, Large Language Models and ChatGPT
The library’s role in strategic delivery
- Role of the library in the delivery of institutional strategy
- Civic role of universities and libraries
- Partnerships, local and global
- Decolonisation and diversification, creating inclusive libraries
- Libraries in support of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Evolving digital transformations
- Leadership in a post-pandemic, blended world
- Development of equitable knowledge infrastructures
- Expanding content types and services
- Demonstrating the impact and value of new activities
