Theme: “Future-Ready Libraries: Integrating AI in Information Literacy“
Introduction
The IFLA Information Literacy Section (ILS) announces its call for proposals for presentations at their Open Session at the IFLA World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) in Astana, Kazakhstan, 18-22 August 2025.
Theme: Future-Ready Libraries: Integrating AI in Information Literacy
Historically, libraries have delivered meaningful change at all levels. As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve, preparing librarians for digital transformation and equipping our communities with the skills to engage critically with these emerging technologies are essential in building future-ready knowledge economies.
The ILS invites proposals exploring how libraries can incorporate AI into their information literacy programs, paying special attention to the ethical considerations and potential benefits from a global perspective.
Possible sub-themes may include, but are not limited to:
- policies, best practices, and issues with integrating AI information literacy instructionand/or programs in all types of libraries
- strategies to use AI to develop critical thinking and digital literacy skills
- the ethical implications of using AI
- AI literacy and its relationship with information literacy
- AI transforming how communities learn information literacy
- Skills and pedagogical approaches needed to incorporate AI into information literacy programs
Each presentation will be 10 minutes. There will be a 10-minute Q&A to conclude the one-hour session.
Proposals must be in English and submitted in an electronic format and must include the following information:
- Title of the proposed presentation
- Specify the sub-theme the abstract addresses
- Abstract of the proposed paper (no more than 500 words)
- Name(s) of presenters and positions and or titles
- Employer or affiliated institution
- Contact information including email address
- Short biographical statement of no more than 100 words
- A statement of below agreement
___I understand if my presentation is accepted I, myself, or at least one presenter from my group, if more than one author is included in the proposal, will be expected to make this presentation by attending the WLIC in Astana and will assume all financial responsibilities to do so.
Submit proposal abstracts (500 words or less) by March 31st, 2025 (submitter’s local time) to https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bwmSZYkqgxvcfbw. Emailed proposals will not be accepted.
Important dates:
- 31 March 2025: Deadline for submissions of Proposal Abstracts
- 01 May 2025: Presenters will be notified – all submissions will be confirmed at time of receipt & about the decision.
- 15 July 2025: Presentation slides in English due preferably with paper (in any of the IFLA languages) to be published in IFLA Repository
Please note:
At least one of the paper’s authors must be present to deliver a summary of the paper during the Open Session in Astana. Abstracts should only be submitted with the understanding that the expenses of attending the conference will be the responsibility of the author(s)/presenter(s) of accepted papers.
The paper must be an original submission not presented or published elsewhere.
All papers that are presented at the WLIC 2025 will be made available online via the IFLA Library under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.
Authors of accepted papers must complete the IFLA Authors’ Permission Form.
All expenses for attending the IFLA conference, travel, accommodation, etc., are the responsibility of the authors/presenters. No financial support can be provided by IFLA, but a letter of invitation/visa requirements can be issued to the author(s)/presenter(s) of accepted papers.
Single-day registrations are possible. More information is available on the WLIC 2025 website.
A number of grants and awards are available every year for supporting delegates to attend the IFLA World Library and Information Congress. Visit the IFLA WLIC 2025 website for more information.