Transforming Social Connections through Libraries

Call for Proposals

Satellite Meeting: Transforming Social Connections through Libraries

Friday, 7 August 2026

 

Hosted by: Seoul Metropolitan Library, 110, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea, in partnership with the following IFLA Sections:

  • Statistics and Evaluation
  • Metropolitan Libraries
  • Library Design

 

Ahead of IFLA’s World Library & Information Congress (WLIC) 2026 in Busan, Republic of Korea, a one-day satellite is planned in Seoul.

The Satellite will offer a stimulating program and creative format, including keynotes, panels, ignite talks and learning circles. Our host will deliver a policy case presentation on the Seoul Outdoor Library. They will also organize a social event: Reading Party with Bookbogo (a group reading session with light refreshments). 

Potential delegates are invited to submit a proposal for a 5-minute Ignite Talk or 4-minute Learning Circle Talk.

Some suggested topics to get you started:

  • How do libraries foster and transform social connections through programming, space, and services?
  • Designing library spaces, services and/or programmes
  • Assessing library spaces, services, and programmes
  • Communicating the impact and value of libraries
  • Meeting today’s needs and preparing for the technological future
  • Challenges and opportunities in transforming social connections
  • Future-proofing our workforce – what will be the “right” workforce for the future, and what types of leaders are required?

 

Ignite Talks

There are several formats for these Ignite Talks sessions; you can think of them as TED Talks or Pecha Kucha sessions. We don’t want to limit the speakers at our meeting to any of these formats, although you are welcome to use them; the only restriction is the time limit, after which you hand over the microphone!

Based on the submissions, we will select and schedule sessions comprising 3-4 presentations. Once all the presentations are complete, the moderator will lead a 15-minute Question-and-Answer session. We hope to host two rounds of Ignite Talks.

Learning Circle

The goal of the learning circle is to provide participants with an opportunity to learn quickly from multiple libraries and facilitate peer learning and support among the participants. The speakers have an opportunity to draw on the group’s collective wisdom to advance their key projects. All six speakers have four minutes. As a speaker, you prepare a presentation with up to 5 slides, including your title slide. The presentations follow a fixed format: where are you from, what are you working on and why, what have you learned, and where do you need help. All participants receive a worksheet with the speakers’ names and projects, followed by three dots: “I am working on something similar,” “I want to learn more,” and “I have ideas to share.” The presentations are held one after another with a minute in between for participants to take notes. After the presentations, speakers are assigned to tables where participants can learn more about their work and share ideas on how to move their project forward.

Given the location, we are eager to receive proposals from speakers who can showcase innovation in the Asian region.  We also seek to profile presentations that demonstrate IFLA’s rich regional diversity.

 

So, come along and share your news, ideas and learning. The more variety, the more interesting it becomes!

 

How to prepare for a SHORT AND SHARP presentation:

https://speakingaboutpresenting.com/presentation-skills/pecha-kucha-presentation/

http://purplepresentations.com/2013/03/how-to-prepare-an-ignite-presentation/

Also, check out these pages to be inspired:

Rob Biesenbach –How to deliver a successful Ignite talk in 10 steps

Scott Berkun – How to Give a Great Ignite Talk

Caroline Forsey – How to create an engaging 5-minute presentation

Jason Grigsby – How to Give a Successful Ignite Presentation

We plan to provide simultaneous interpretation via an app.  Participants will need to provide their own device to obtain translation.

A small fee of approximately 20 Euros will be charged at the time of registration. That will cover the costs of lunch that will be provided to the participants during the meeting.

 

We look forward to receiving your proposal.

 

How to submit a proposal?

Use this online proposal form. 

Deadline for submission is midnight April 24th

We will respond to all submissions by the end of the day on April 30th.

Questions: Contact Christine.Brown@ualberta.ca