LIBER 2024

The 53rd annual LIBER Conference took place at the Cyprus University of Technology, drawing around 370 researchers who gathered to showcase their work and explore the beauty of Cyprus. This year’s conference theme was “State-of-the-art libraries in the service of science and society,” emphasizing the importance of developing up-to-date services, spaces, and collections in a rapidly changing world.

LIBER, the largest library association in Europe, boasts a network of over 420 research libraries across 40 countries, including university, public, and national libraries. This diverse network unites a wide range of cultural backgrounds, making LIBER unique in its scope and reach.

The conference was inaugurated with opening speeches by LIBER President Julien Roche, alongside notable figures Anja Smit and Giannis Tsakonas.

Three distinguished keynote speakers highlighted the event:

1. Constantia Constantinou of Stony Brook University, who spoke on “Towards Inclusive Research Library Environments: Integrating Diversity into Operations and Facilities.”
2. Frank Scholze of the German National Library (DNB), discussed “Social Responsibility and Digital Culture.”
3. Jacob Sherson of Aarhus University, explored “Opportunities and Challenges of Using AI for Knowledge Generation.”

The 53rd Annual LIBER Conference in Limassol, Cyprus, celebrated outstanding contributions to the library and information science field with the prestigious LIBER Innovation 2024 awards.

1. Masud Khokhar, University of Leeds, “Artificial Intelligence Delivery”
2. Beate Granstrom, Chalmers University Library, and Helena Schmidt Burg, Helena Francke, Lisa Larsson, and Anders Klevbacke, Gothenburg University Library, “Getting Academic Library Staff Up-to-Speed on Artificial Intelligence”
3. Alice Marples, The British Library, “Improving Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in Postgraduate Research at the British Library and Beyond”
4. Mette Fentz Haastrup, Anne Kathrine Overgaard, and Thomas Kaarsted, University Library of Southern Denmark, “A Guide for Research Libraries to Engage Youth in Research”

Wednesday featured several parallel interactive workshops, attracting scholars with critical topics such as “Developing a Strategic Response to Artificial Intelligence” and “Shaping the Framework for Access to Information.”

Attendees had numerous opportunities for networking and exploring Cyprus. Highlights included a visit to the Kourion Archaeological Site and a traditional dinner at Aphrodite Hills village. The conference reception, held at the Old Carob Mill Museum, offered drinks and ample canapes in a historic setting. Two excursions provided further exploration of Cyprus. On July 5th, attendees visited the picturesque village of Omodos on the Troodos hillsides, known for its expansive vineyards. The following day, they toured Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, enjoying walking tours of the state-of-the-art “Stelios Ioannou” Library at the University of Cyprus and the old city of Nicosia.

The conference was supported by over 35 sponsors and exhibitors, including many reputable publishers. The local organizing committee included Marios Zervas, Library Director of the Cyprus University of Technology, along with Antonia Nicolaou and Maria Haraki.

EasyConferences ensured a smooth experience for all participants, handling the online registration system, local arrangements, and secretariat support.

Looking ahead, the 54th Annual LIBER Conference will be held in Lausanne, Switzerland.