Call for Papers: WLIC 2026 Joint Satellite Meeting at Yonsei University
Theme: “Transforming Heritage in the Age of AI: Libraries Bridging Traditional, Digital, and Community Memory “
The Local History and Genealogy Section, Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section, and Preservation and Conservation Section of IFLA is accepting submissions for the satellite meeting at Yonsei University’s Research Institute for Academic Library Development in Seoul, South Korea, on 7-8 August 2026.
“Transforming Heritage in the Age of AI: Libraries Bridging Traditional, Digital, and Community Memory” will explore best practices and how libraries can partner with local community groups to document and celebrate indigenous culture and advocate for the long-term availability to all documentary heritage collections, physical and digital.
The meeting will provide best practices for expanding collections to include underrepresented voices, creating inclusive programming, advocating the long-term availability to all documentary heritage collections and utilizing new technologies to assist patrons with family history research. Topics will include strategies for the long-term preservation methods of cultural documents, preserving multicultural histories, using digital tools for genealogical research, engaging communities in history projects, and addressing challenges in representing diverse genealogies. Ethical considerations in genealogical research and collaboration with local cultural groups will also be discussed.
Possible Topics:
- how libraries can partner and collaborate with local cultural groups
- how libraries can ensure the long-term and stable preservation of valuable cultural documents
- documenting culture and heritage
- documenting and reimagining cultural heritage through AI
- celebrating diverse culture and heritage
- AI-enabled partnerships for community heritage preservation
- best practices for expanding collections to include underrepresented voices
- creating inclusive programming
- utilizing new technologies to assist patrons with family history research
- AI-supported genealogical and family history research
- strategies for preserving multicultural histories
- using digital tools for genealogical research
- engaging communities in history projects
- challenges in representing diverse genealogies
- ethical considerations in genealogical research
- ethical and responsible AI in community memory projects
- celebrating multiculturalism through library-supported genealogical projects
- celebrating multiculturalism through digital and hybrid programming
- libraries as pillars of multicultural community building
- enhancing multicultural literacy
- transforming multicultural literacy in the AI era
Dates and location
7-8 August 2026, 6th floor, Widang Hall, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei Road, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea Zip code: 03722
Website: http://thelibrary.yonsei.ac.kr/
Abstract submission
We are accepting presentation proposals as 15-minute talks and 8-minute lightning talks. All talks must be presented in English and include the following information:
- title of the presentation
- presentation abstract (300 words maximum)
- presenters’ name(s), professional affiliation, country, email address, and a brief biographical note
Timeline
All proposals must be submitted by 27 April 2026. *(Early registration available until 14 May 2026 for WLIC 2026) Proposals will be evaluated by the satellite program committee group and successful applicants will be informed by 5 May 2026.
Please note
All expenses, such as travel and accommodation, are the responsibility of the authors/presenters. Speakers are not paid for their participation in the satellite meeting. Letters of invitation can be issued to presenters upon request.
Organisers
This IFLA WLIC 2026 satellite meeting is organized by IFLA Local History and Genealogy Section, Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section, and Preservation and Conservation Section. The host is Yonsei University’s Research Institute for Academic Library Development.
If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Brannock.