CALL FOR PAPERS

Theme: Libraries as Innovation Hubs: Empowering Communities

LIASA 2025 has been earmarked by the GLAM and DSAC as one of the G20 site events for the South African Presidency. The theme, "Libraries as Innovation Hubs: Empowering Communities," aligns seamlessly with the objectives of South Africa's G20 Presidency. This theme underscores the transformative potential of libraries in fostering innovation and supporting community development. The conference aims to highlight how the LIS sector can drive technological advancement, enhance digital literacy, and provide essential resources for community members to thrive in a rapidly evolving world by positioning libraries as central hubs for innovation.

One of the key objectives of South Africa's G20 Presidency is to promote inclusive growth and sustainable development. As innovation hubs, libraries play a crucial role in achieving this goal by offering equitable access to information and technology. Through initiatives such as Makerspaces, coding clubs, and digital literacy programs, libraries can bridge the digital divide and ensure that all community members, regardless of their socio-economic background, have the opportunity to develop essential skills and participate in the digital economy.

Furthermore, the conference will explore how libraries can support entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. By providing resources, workshops, and mentorship for aspiring entrepreneurs, libraries can become vital incubators for small businesses and startups. Collaborations with local business organizations and incubators can further enhance these efforts, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within communities. This aligns with South Africa's G20 objective of fostering economic resilience and creating opportunities for sustainable economic growth.

Lastly, the conference will emphasize the importance of creating inclusive and welcoming spaces within libraries. Ensuring that innovation hubs are accessible to all community members, including underrepresented groups, is essential for promoting social equity and cohesion. By sharing best practices and success stories, the conference aims to inspire libraries to adopt inclusive strategies and evolve as dynamic, community-centric institutions. This focus on inclusivity and community empowerment resonates with South Africa's G20 commitment to building a more equitable and just global society.

The Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) is excited to announce a call for papers for the LIASA 2025 Conference, themed "Libraries as Innovation Hubs: Empowering Communities." This conference will delve into libraries' pivotal role in driving innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, and empowering diverse communities. We invite LIS practitioners, researchers, students and thought leaders to submit abstracts for papers, posters, panel discussions, lightning talks, and posters addressing the following sub-topics:

Sub-topics to Explore:

1. Innovation in Library Services:
   • Case studies of libraries that have successfully implemented innovative services (e.g., Innovative/Research/Makerspaces, coding clubs, and digital literacy programs).
   • Best practices for integrating technology into library offerings.
2. Entrepreneurship Support:
   • How libraries can provide resources and workshops for aspiring entrepreneurs (e.g., business planning, funding sources, and mentorship).
   • Collaborations with local business organizations and incubators to foster entrepreneurship.
3. Community-Centric Programming:
   • Designing programs that meet the unique needs of diverse community groups, including workshops, seminars, and cultural events.
   • Engaging community members in the planning and execution of library initiatives.
4. Partnerships for Innovation:
   • Building partnerships with local schools, businesses, and tech organizations to enhance library resources and services.
   • Exploring successful collaborations that have led to innovative outcomes.
5. Creating Inclusive Spaces:
   • Strategies for ensuring that innovation hubs within libraries are accessible and welcoming to all community members.
   • Promoting equity in access to technology and resources for underrepresented groups.
6. Measuring Impact and Success:
   • Tools and methodologies for assessing the impact of library innovation initiatives on community development.
   • Sharing success stories and lessons learned from innovative library programs.
7. Future Trends in Library Innovation:
   • Exploring emerging technologies (e.g., AI, VR) and their potential applications in libraries.
   • Anticipating future needs and how libraries can adapt to continue serving as innovation hubs.
8. Services to Vulnerable Communities

• Examine how the LIS serve as critical access points for vulnerable and marginalized populations (e.g., persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ communities, homeless, women and girls, elderly, refugees and migrants, including undocumented migrants, indigenous groups, orphans, etc.).
• Explore innovative LIS practices/programs that address the unique needs of these communities, including outreach programs, digital inclusion initiatives, and partnerships with local organizations
• Papers/contributions may also discuss how the LIS empowers these groups through access to information, education, and essential resources, promoting social equity and community resilience in line with relevant SDGs.

Timeline

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS

1. Authors are invited to submit abstracts for:
   1. Oral, research-based presentations (15 min), or
   2. Viewpoint papers (firmly supported by the literature, careful analysis and sound arguments (15 min), or
   3. Conversational presentations (practical experience, cases studies and best practice) (15 min), or
   4. Lightning talks (5 min, accompanied by an electronic poster on a single slide)
   5. Posters (A0 portrait hard copy poster displayed onsite)
      
      
2. Abstracts for research-based papers should include an introduction, statement of the research problem, methodology, findings (could be preliminary), and implications of the study. Reviewers are looking for studies that relate to the theme, that are original, and well-written.
   
   
3. All contributions must be presented in English.
4. Abstracts, including references (where applicable) must not exceed 250 words.
   
   
5. For the 2025 LIASA Conference, presenters will have the opportunity to share their work either as part of the main conference programme or during their sector’s dedicated session.
   
6. The abstracts of accepted papers and posters, as well as the speaker bios and photos, will be published on the LIASA and conference websites. Speaker bios and photos will be obtained from authors during the submission process. By submitting your abstract, you agree to it being published on the LIASA and conference websites. Papers will be published in the conference proceedings.
   
   

7. Authors of accepted abstracts will have the option to submit full papers. Peer-reviewed and accepted papers will be published as conference proceedings in the South African Journal of Library and Information Science (SAJLIS). Kindly access the author guidelines here: https://sajlis.journals.ac.za/index.php/pub/about/submissions#authorGuidelines. The deadline for submitting full papers is 15 September 2025.

8. The conference is completely in-person so no virtual presentations will be allowed.
   
   
9. Please note that ALL presenters must be registered for the conference by 30 July 2025 and they are responsible for their own expenses to attend the conference.
   
   
10. No correspondence will be entered into about acceptance or non-acceptance of papers.

For general queries contact: joanne@confco.co.za