On 8 October 2026, the international scientific and practical conference “Rethinking the Knowledge Ecosystem: Libraries in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation” will take place, bringing together library and information professionals to discuss the changing role of libraries in the rapidly evolving knowledge ecosystem.

The conference is organized around the theme “Rethinking the Knowledge Ecosystem: Libraries in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation.”

The event is organized by the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies, with the participation of an international organizing and scientific committee. Due to the ongoing full-scale war in Ukraine, the conference will be held online, enabling library and information professionals from different countries to participate in the event and exchange experience.

The conference is particularly relevant in the context of the rapid development of artificial intelligence and the digital transformation of research and education. Libraries are no longer solely providers of access to information. They are increasingly becoming active participants in knowledge management, research support, open science, digital transformation, and the development of new information and research services.

The conference programme will cover the following thematic areas:

1. Strategic Partnerships
2. Management, Leadership and Development of University Libraries
3. Development, Preservation and Management of Library Collections
4. Library Services for Science, Education and Research
5. Libraries and Openness of Knowledge: Open Access, Open Science and Open Educational Resources (OER)
6. Libraries in the Digital Environment and Social Media
7. New Roles of Librarians in the Digital Era
8. Theory, Research and Innovation in Librarianship

The conference welcomes representatives of libraries, higher education institutions, research organizations, information centres, and other stakeholders interested in the development of modern library and information services.

Practical Information

Date: 8 October 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. Kyiv time
Format: Online
Venue: Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies, 2 Lazaryana Street, Dnipro, Ukraine

Participation in the conference is free of charge for Ukrainian citizens. Other participants may register for online participation for a fee of UAH 250 / EUR 10.

Part of the registration fees will be donated to the Library Country Charitable Foundation to support assistance initiatives in Ukraine.

Further information about the conference, registration and participation is available on the official conference website.

The conference offers an important opportunity for the international library and information community to exchange experience, strengthen professional cooperation and explore new roles for libraries in an increasingly digital, AI-driven and open knowledge ecosystem.