IATUL Fall Seminar - 2023

The IATUL Seminar 2023, titled "Libraries as Transformers," was held at the İzmir National Library in İzmir, Türkiye, from September 4-7, 2023. 

The seminar was hosted by the İzmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH) and attracted 70 participants from 25 countries.

It began with a speech by Gültekin Gürdal, Library Director of IZTECH, who explained the importance of the seminar theme. He was followed by Prof. Dr. Yusuf Baran, Rector of IZTECH, who gave a presentation on science diplomacy.

The seminar featured 13 invited speakers, including experts on artificial intelligence and university libraries, artificial intelligence and open science, and artificial intelligence and research information systems. Other noteworthy presentations included a discussion of GCRIS, Turkey's first research information system, and artificial intelligence applications. Transformative agreements and research data management were also popular topics.

In addition to the invited speakers, the seminar program committee accepted 14 presentations from different countries. Sponsoring companies also gave presentations.

The seminar was notable not only for its academic content, but also for its social program. Before the seminar, the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality hosted a welcome reception for participants at the historical Havagazı Culture Center. The reception featured live music and promotional materials about İzmir and its surroundings.

The seminar gala dinner was held at the historical Elevator restaurant, which offers stunning views of the sunset over İzmir. The menu featured the best dishes of Turkish cuisine, one of the best cuisines in the world.

The seminar also included a study tour of the ancient city of Ephesus and the village of Şirince. Participants were particularly impressed by the Celsus Library, a Roman library from the 2nd century AD.

The IATUL Seminar 2023 was a valuable opportunity for librarians from different parts of the world to meet, share experiences, and learn from each other. The seminar's focus on libraries as transformers was timely and important, and the speakers and participants provided insights into how libraries can adapt and thrive in the digital age.

-Gültekin Gürdal, IZTECH

IATUL Fall Seminar will be held at İzmir National Library, Konak, İzmir, Türkiye between 4-7 September 2023, hosted by İzmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH). The organizers are pleased to invite you to contribute to the program. The event theme is “Libraries as Transformers”. 

IATUL offers access to an influential and inclusive community of university and research libraries from around the world. It brings together library professionals from over 70 countries to exchange ideas, expand professional networks, create new collaborations, and work together on multinational projects exploring the current significant challenges.

Libraries as Transformers

The digital age has offered libraries a tremendous opportunity to transform themselves into places where people can get access to a wide variety of digital resources and learn how to use digital technologies effectively. They have then become hubs of information, technology, and community engagement, thereby acting as transformers of the society at large in its dealings with education, work, and leisure. Hence, the theme of the IATUL Seminar will provide participants with a forum to discuss the opportunities and challenges before libraries and further their transformative powers by becoming more accessible and inclusive.  

With the theme  "Libraries as Transformers,” national and international speakers representing libraries, publishers, and the scientific community will be discussed the following topics over two days:

• Artificial Intelligence, Chatbots, and Libraries
• Transformative Agreements
• Publishing Models
• Open Science and EOSC
• Research Data Management
• New Technologies & Best Practices
• Research Assessment & Impact
• New Management Skills for University Libraries
• Ranking of University Libraries

The organizers are pleased to invite you to submit proposals in these categories:

• Presentations (15-20 minutes)
• Pecha-Kucha (7 minutes / 24 slides)

Please click here to see further information about submissions.

IATUL Board of Directors and the IZTECH Library cordially invite all current community members and other people interested in IATUL activities to attend the IATUL Fall Seminar.

The pearl of the Aegean İzmir is worth to be seen with 300 sunny days a year, a sea that offers every shade of blue. We are looking forward to meeting you in İzmir,  which is the third largest city in Turkey with its 8,500-year rich heritage left behind by 32 civilizations it has been home to. Examples from its rich history; are the 7th greatest wonder of the world, The Temple of Artemis,  Pergamon and Ephesus ancient cities, the House of Virgin Mary, and furthermore...

                                                                 İzmir National Library

Izmir Metropolitan Municipality is the partner of the seminar.

IATUL Fall Seminar 2023 will be held at İzmir National Library Konak, İzmir, Türkiye, between 4-7 Eylül 2023.

Seminar Center Address: İzmir National Library

                                         Milli Kütüphane Cad. 39-1, 35250

                                         Konak, İzmir, Türkiye

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/zWGY2nBZUwGSNRXP6 

Seminar Hashtag: #IATULSeminar2023