The IFLA National Libraries Section, Information Technology Section and the AI SIG are seeking proposals for ignite talks to be presented at their Joint Open Session at the IFLA World Library and Information Congress 2023 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The session will have two parts, it begins with a presentation on the impact of AI generated content on collecting for national libraries followed by a table discussion. After which there would be 5-minute ignite presentations. This session aims to also provide a platform for various colleagues to connect with libraries who are already implementing an AI solution that they would want to learn from.

Theme: “National Libraires + AI = Opportunities, Challenges & Risks”

National libraries around the world are tasked with collecting their country’s national imprint. With the increasing proliferation of AI generated content and story-writing assisted by AI, the question of whether such content should be collected by national libraries arises. Is there value in collecting such content and if so, who would be documented as the creator of the work even if it is not considered copyright protected. These issues would be discussed in the first part of the session.

The second part of the session would be more practical-based presentations of specific case -studies of implementation of AI in national libraries – the opportunities, risks and issues to be mindful of in the application of the technology.

We would like to invite presentations particularly, but not exclusively, on the following sub-themes:

  • The use of AI in enabling the national library’s work on digital legal deposit to be more efficient
  • The use of AI to unleash, extend and enhance access to our collections (for example enhancing meta-data or classification)
  • The use of AI to create new knowledge or understanding of our collections (for example data mining)

Each presentation will be 5 minutes and in English if presented in person if not with English subtitles if it is a video presentation. Time for Q&A will be scheduled after the presentations.

Proposals must be submitted in an electronic format and must include the following information:

  • Title of proposed presentation
  • Abstract of the proposed presentation (no more than 500 words)
  • Name(s) of presenters and positions and or titles
  • Employer or affiliated institution
  • Contact information including email address and telephone number
  • Short biographical statement of no more than 100 words
  • Note a willingness to comply with IFLA’s Authors’ Permission
  • Papers / PPTs / video recordings will be published in IFLA’s online Repository following conference
  • Confirmation that you can attend the IFLA congress and present in person if selected. If not, please confirm that it will be a video recording.

Send proposal abstracts (500 words or less) by 14 May 2023 to:
Tan Huism – Email: tanhuism@yahoo.com.sg and Nicole Marcou – Email: ncle@loc.gov

Important dates:

  • 14 May 2023 (Sunday): Deadline for submission of abstract
  • 26 May 2023 (Friday): Notification of acceptance
  • 14 August 2023 (Monday): Deadline for submission of slides

Please note:

The presentation must be an original submission not presented or published elsewhere. All papers, presentations or video recordings that are presented at the WLIC 20203 will be made available online via the IFLA Repository under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.

Authors of accepted papers must complete the IFLA Authors’ Permission Form.
All expenses for attending the Meeting (e.g., travel, accommodation, etc.) are the responsibility of the authors/presenters. No financial support can be provided by IFLA.

Congress Participation Grants

List of opportunities for support is available on the Apply for Grants & Awards webpage.