Theme: “Access reclaimed: Defending open knowledge and underrepresented perspectives through subject cataloguing“
Introduction
The IFLA Subject Analysis and Access and LGBTQ+ Matters Sections and the Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE) are seeking proposals for lightning presentations to preface a panel discussion at a session to be held at the IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Busan, South Korea, 10-13 August 2026.
Session Topic
The aim of subject indexing is to provide users with the resources they need. Subject metadata strives for controlled, rule-based, neutral access to content and information. Knowledge organization systems (KOS), such as thesauri, controlled vocabularies or classification systems have evolved over time, they adapt to changes in scientific knowledge, in language use and culture and aim for an equal representation of all subjects and topics. KOS are curated with expertise and commitment to standards.
What happens when subject metadata and its guiding principles are threatened or are turned against their original purpose? How must the conditions for accessing information adapt as knowledge practices change and as trust in libraries is being renegotiated. Can KOS still ensure that diverse voices are represented adequately and accurately? And how can the balance between empowerment and exposure through KOS be managed? Minority groups experiencing social attacks have particular needs in the context of subject access. For example, terminology relating to gender identity is currently highly contested in many contexts, showing how subject access, political pressure and changing language intersect.
The session aims to explore the ways in which subject analysis and access interacts with these political and social needs and pressures. We are seeking informed practitioners to present a short overview of a topic within this sphere and then be part of a panel discussion. This discussion addresses how human, legal, and AI-driven biases appear in everyday work within KOS. Moving beyond problem identification, we highlight actionable strategies and shared professional principles that practitioners can apply to support equitable and responsible subject access.
In addition
Papers should reflect the conference theme, “Libraries Powering Transformation” and especially the session’s special focus on subtheme “Transforming the Information Landscape”
Suggested topics may include, but are not limited to
- impact of censorship on the discoverability of subjects and of resources
- community informed approaches to information and the challenges in/via subject access
- freedom of information and possible restrictions to access and content
- subject cataloguing used as a tool of restriction and control
- subject labels as filters for banning books and resources
- subject analysis & access and underrepresented perspectives
- metadata challenges: the possible political, structural and/or human “threat”
- discovering visibility through metadata – empowerment on one hand, exposure (threat) on the other
- handling bias in subject analysis & access/cataloguing (human, political, AI..)
- risk of invisibility vs. risk of exposure
- ethical and professional challenges in describing identities, communities, and lived experience in subject metadata and classification systems
Important dates & deadlines:
- 01/05/2026: Deadline for submission of proposals/abstracts
- 06/05/2026: Notification to authors about the status of a submission,
- 01/07/2026: Submission of the full text of the presentation
- 31/07/2026: Submission of accompanying PowerPoint slides for presentation
Submission guidelines
Proposals should include:
- Title of proposed presentation
- Abstract of proposed presentation (no more than 300 words)
- Name of presenter plus position and/or title
- Employer / affiliated institution
- Contact information including email address, telephone number
- Short biographical statement of presenter
Send proposals via email to both
Julijana Nadj-Guttandin
Chair, Subject Analysis and Access
Michael Nordeman
Information Coordinator, LGBTQ+ Matters
Use subject line: WLIC 2026 Open Session Proposal
Please note:
- At least one of the presentation’s authors must be present to summarize the presentation during the program in Busan. Abstracts are to be submitted only with the understanding that the expenses of attending the conference will be the responsibility of the author(s)/presenter(s) of accepted presentations.
- All presentations must use the WLIC 2026 slide deck, which will be provided when your presentation is accepted
- The language of the session is expected to be English.
- All presentations and papers presented at the WLIC 2026 will be available online under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
- All presentations must be unpublished and not previously presented.
- Authors must disclose whether they submit this proposal to another WLIC 2026 session.
- Authors of accepted presentations must complete the IFLA Authors’ Permission Form.
- Authors and presenters must adhere to the Presenter guidelines, provided when your presentation is accepted
- All expenses, including registration for the conference, travel, accommodations, etc., are the responsibility of the authors/presenters. IFLA does not provide any financial support.
Congress Participation Grants
A list of opportunities for support is available on the Grants and Awards page of the WLIC website.