Theme: “Art and Bibliography in Digital Dialogue”
Introduction
The IFLA Art Libraries Section and Bibliography Section invite proposals for presentations for their joint session at the IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Astana, Kazakhstan, 18-22 August 2025.
In the evolving landscape of Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM), digital technologies are redefining the relationship between art and its associated bibliographic information, opening new avenues for description, discovery and user engagement. This transformation is driven by bibliographic practices—including cataloguing, subject and genre descriptions, and linked data combined with cutting-edge technologies—which shape the description, access, and digital connection of art collections.
The session aims to explore the intersection of art and bibliography in the digital age, specifically within digital GLAM collections, with a focus on art libraries. Under this theme will be explored how new technologies (AI and Linked Data) are transforming practices to enhance description, access, presentation, connection, and discovery of art, from the cultural heritage collections to the modern and born-digital photography and documentary resources. Crucially, the session aims to highlight how art and bibliography digital dialogue is connecting users with the rich resources of art and its bibliography, ultimately reshaping the art experience.
We invite proposals that showcase practical projects, emerging technology use cases, or strategies shaping the future of cultural heritage, contemporary, or born-digital collections, with a focus on connecting users with art in new and meaningful ways.
In addition:
Proposals should reflect the conference theme, “Uniting Knowledge, Building the Future”
Suggested topics
Topics include but are not limited to:
- Linked data and AI trends in art bibliographic description, access and discovery
- Technology impact on digital collections in GLAM institutions
- Art metadata and art-specific vocabularies for collections description
- AI-driven metadata enrichment and generation for art
- Digital preservation strategies for art bibliographic data and collections in the age of AI
- Ethical and copyright implications of AI in art and cultural heritage
- AI-powered art discovery and presentation
- Innovative interfaces and virtual exhibitions for art collections
- User experience and engagement in digital art platforms
Case studies are also welcome, particularly those focused on:
- Interoperability and data sharing cross domains: case studies from art libraries, GLAM, and digital humanities
- Collaboration and knowledge sharing among art librarians, bibliographers, cataloguers, art historians, and GLAM professionals, in cross cultural projects
- Art librarians’ training and capacity building to work with metadata and new technologies to enhance art description, sharing and discovery
Important dates & deadlines:
- 16 May 2025: Deadline for submission of proposals
- 30 May 2025: Notification to authors about the status of a submission
- 30 July 2025: Submission of the PowerPoint slides for presentation
Submission guidelines
Proposals should include:
- Title of proposed presentation
- Abstract of the proposed presentation (300 words appr.)
- Name of author(s) plus position(s) and/or title(s)
- Employer / affiliated institution
- Contact information including email address, telephone number
- Short biographical statement of authors (100 words max. each)
Send proposals via email to: Claire Eggleston iflaart@zohomail.com, Isabel Ayres Maringelli imaringelli@fespsp.org.br and Rehab Ouf rehab.ouf@gmail.com.
Use subject line: Call for proposals: Art and Bibliography in Digital Dialogue Open Session – WLIC 2025
Please note:
- At least one of the authors must be present to deliver the presentation during the program in Astana. Abstracts are to be submitted only with the understanding that the expenses of attending the conference will be the responsibility of the author(s)/presenter(s) of accepted papers.
- The language of the session is expected to be English.
- All papers/presentations presented at the WLIC 2025 will be available online under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
- All papers/presentations must be unpublished and not previously presented.
- Authors must disclose whether they submit this proposal to another WLIC 2025 session.
- Authors of accepted papers must complete the IFLA Authors’ Permission Form.
- All expenses, including registration for the conference, travel, accommodations, etc., are the responsibility of the authors/presenters. IFLA does not provide any financial support.
Single-day registrations are possible. More information is available on the WLIC 2025 website.
Congress Participation Grants
A list of opportunities for support is available on the Grants & Awards webpage.