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Join us in the beautiful Langkawi archipelago for the 10th International Conference on Libraries, Information and Society (ICoLIS 2026). We extend a special invitation to career librarians, archivists, and information professionals from the ASEAN+ region, alongside our global colleagues, to explore the critical theme: "Voices of the Profession: Asserting Identity and Prominence." In an era where our skills are more vital than ever, the value of information professionals often goes unrecognized. This conference is a call to action—to move from passive observation to actively defining our identity and demonstrating our indispensable role in the communities and organizations we serve. This theme holds particular resonance for the ASEAN+ region, providing a vital platform to share locally-relevant solutions, build regional networks, and contribute to a collective vision that is both globally informed and deeply rooted in the ASEAN context. Let's come together to share our stories, innovations, and a powerful, unified message for the future of the LIS profession.
Conference Sub-themes :
We invite submissions of research, practice, and theory that address the conference theme through these key areas:
- Navigators of Technology and Innovation . This sub-theme addresses the LIS professional's role at the nexus of human inquiry and technological advancement. It moves beyond the mere adoption of tools to explore the development of new competencies, roles, and ethical frameworks required to lead in the digital age. This is especially pertinent in the ASEAN region, where the digital divide and varying rates of technological adoption present unique challenges and opportunities for innovation. We invite papers on the practical and ethical dimensions of integrating AI, promoting digital literacy, and asserting our value in a technology-driven world.
- Guardians of Heritage and Culture. This sub-theme focuses on the enduring mission to preserve and provide access to the collective memory of humanity, a mission of profound importance in Southeast Asia, home to an immense diversity of tangible and intangible heritage. It examines the evolving practices of digitization, the professional identity of archivists and records managers in protecting evidence and rights, and collaborative efforts to decolonize collections and ensure equitable representation in the historical record.
- Champions of Equity This sub-theme highlights the library's role as a cornerstone of democracy and a catalyst for social justice. We seek contributions that showcase transformative initiatives in building literate societies, fostering deep community engagement, and promoting radical inclusivity, with a focus on addressing the specific equity challenges within the ASEAN+ region, such as supporting rural and multilingual communities. Topics include bridging the digital divide, supporting marginalized groups, and promoting open knowledge ecosystems.
- Leaders, Influencers, and Strategists This sub-theme examines the critical need for leadership at every level of the information profession. It moves beyond traditional management to explore how LIS professionals can act as influential leaders, strategic thinkers, and powerful advocates. We invite discussions on leadership that is attuned to the socio-political contexts of Southeast Asia, focusing on developing competencies, navigating organizational politics, and building effective advocacy campaigns to demonstrate the library's value to key stakeholders.
- Architects of Knowledge This sub-theme focuses on the foundations of the profession itself: education, research, and the theoretical frameworks that guide our practice. It calls for a critical examination of LIS curricula, asking whether they are adequately preparing graduates for the complex realities of the modern information environment. This is a space to debate our core body of knowledge and how we must evolve our educational programs to meet the workforce needs and societal priorities of the ASEAN+ region and beyond. .
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