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Call for Papers
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Annual Conference on “Bridging the Gap: Trends in Library and Information Science”

Dates: January 20-22, 2026
Venue: Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore Centre, Bangalore, India

Website: https://drtc.isibang.ac.in/lib-bridge/


We are pleased to invite submissions for the Annual Conference on “Bridging the Gap: Trends in Library and Information Science,” organized by the Documentation Research and Training Centre (DRTC), Indian Statistical Institute. This in-person event will take place from January 20-22, 2026, at the ISI Bangalore Centre.

DRTC has long played a pivotal role in advancing the field of Library and Information Science (LIS), fostering collaboration, innovation, and transformative discourse. This conference aims to bring together LIS professionals across the academic, special, and public libraries, scholars, educators, and technology innovators to explore and address the rapidly evolving landscape of the discipline.

The conference will serve as a platform for presenting cutting-edge research, methodologies, and case studies. It aims to foster meaningful dialogue among researchers and practitioners, with a shared goal of redefining objectives, benchmarks, and curricula to align LIS education and practice with emerging technologies and user needs.

Through focused sessions and collaborative discussions, participants will engage in shaping a forward-looking vision for LIS, with an emphasis on relevance, innovation, inclusivity, and societal impact.

We invite the submission of original research papers, conceptual analyses, case studies, and practice-based insights that address the conference theme and its associated sub-themes. The submissions on related topics beyond these areas are also welcome.

1. Roles and skills in LIS

Emerging skills in LIS in the digital era

Curriculum innovation in LIS education

Interdisciplinary collaboration in LIS training

User Experience and Access

 

2. Technology and digital transformation

AI and Machine Learning in Libraries

Digital Libraries and Repositories: Future Directions

Data Management and Research Data Services

Decentralized Information Systems and Services

 

3. Knowledge Organization and Discovery

Reimagining Metadata for a Semantic Web

Linked data and knowledge graphs in LIS.

Information Retrieval in Complex Digital Environments

Multilingual and Multicultural Information Systems

 

4. Design Thinking for Library Innovation

Personalized Services

Accessibility and Inclusive Design in LIS Services

Green library, Eco-friendly library

 

5. Policy, Ethics, and Social Responsibility

Ethics of Information Access and Censorship

Privacy, Surveillance, and Data Ethics in Libraries

Libraries as Agents of Social Justice

 

6. LIS in Practice: Case Studies & Innovation Labs

Smart Libraries: Integrating IoT and Automation

Collaborative Spaces and Makerspaces in Libraries

Post-pandemic LIS: Lessons Learned and New Normals

 

7. Forward Thinking and Strategic Planning

Foresight and Scenario Planning in LIS

Benchmarking Innovation: Metrics and Impact Assessment

The Future of LIS Education: Global Perspectives

 

Important Dates