The Collection Development in Africa Series (CDiA 2026) invites librarians, scholars, researchers, publishers, and technology providers to submit papers for presentation at this landmark event. The proposal deadline is 31 May 2026.
Theme: "Collections Evolved: User-Centred Collections, Equity & Resilience in the Scholarly Landscape”
Location: Protea Hotel Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge
The conference offers a premier forum to explore the transformation of library collections in the digital age, with particular attention to sustainability, inclusivity, collaboration, and user-centred innovation.
2026 Sub-themes - proposals are welcomed on the topics of:
1) User-Centred Collection Strategies
The conference offers a premier forum to explore the transformation of library collections in the digital age, with particular attention to sustainability, inclusivity, collaboration, and user-centred innovation.
Submission Deadline: 31 May 2026
Send abstracts to1) User-Centred Collection Strategies
- Understanding and mapping user behaviour in the digital era.
- Designing inclusive and accessible collections.
- Co-creation and participatory collection development.
2) Equity and Knowledge Justice
- Decolonising collections and amplifying African scholarship.
- Promoting open access and fair representation of local content.
- Addressing systemic barriers in global scholarly publishing.
3) Resilient Libraries in a Changing World
4) Data, AI, and Digital Transformation- Sustainable collection models amidst financial and infrastructural constraints.
- Libraries’ role in crisis recovery and continuity (e.g., post-pandemic innovation).
- Building adaptable policies and frameworks for uncertain futures.
- Leveraging artificial intelligence and data analytics for smarter curation.
- Managing ethical risks and algorithmic bias in collection development.
- Balancing automation with human-centred decision-making
- Regional consortia and shared collections in Africa.
- International partnerships for resource sharing and joint digitisation.
- Policy alignment for collective resilience.
