The IFLA Cataloguing, Information Technology, and Subject Analysis and Access Sections are seeking proposals for papers to be presented at their Joint Open Session at the IFLA World Library and Information Congress 2023 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

This session will include presentations about the opportunities offered by AI for cataloguing processes and potential impact of AI on cataloguers’ tasks. We expect to have specific use cases of tools and a discussion on how those tools are integrated into current cataloguing and metadata management processes and to what extent they can be helpful for librarians’ missions.

  • The main expected topics are :
  • What are some specific use cases of elaborating and/or implementing tools of AI or machine learning (ML) methods in cataloguing and metadata management processes?
  • What are the impacts on cataloguers’ tasks and professional practices or expected competencies?
  • What is the feedback from the use of these tools? Are the tools more or less helpful for some kind of resources, actions or procedures? How have cataloguers responded to the implementation of AI or ML methods in their workflows?
  • Could AI and ML help with describing the ever-increasing amount of digital resources?
  • Could AI and ML methods have any impact on metadata standards, especially on IFLA standards?

Each presentation will be 15 minutes and in English. Time for Q&A will be scheduled after the paper presentations.

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

  • Title of proposed presentation
  • 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 and telephone number
  • Short biographical statement of no more than 100 words
  • Note a willingness to comply with IFLA’s Authors’ Permission (Papers / PPTs will be published in IFLA’s online Repository following conference)
  • Confirmation that you can attend the IFLA congress and present in person if selected

Send proposal abstracts (500 words or less) by 1 May 2023, to Vincent Boulet (Vincent.boulet[at]bnf.fr), Caroline Saccucci (csus[at]loc.gov) and Cory Lampert (cory.lampert[at]unlv.edu)

Important dates:

  • 1 May 2023 (Monday): Deadline for submission of abstract
  • 22 May 2023 (Monday): Notification of acceptance
  • 24 July 2023 (Monday): Deadline for submission of presenter information and final paper

Please note: The conference gives the priority to the face-to-face dimension. At least one of the paper’s authors is strongly encouraged be present to deliver a summary of the paper during the Open Session in Rotterdam. A video recording could be accepted, as an exception.

The paper must be an original submission not presented or published elsewhere. All papers that are presented at the WLIC 2023 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 Open Session (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.