Day 3: A Visionary Conclusion to the Conference

The third and final day of the conference, facilitated by Kim Tairi and Brad Cherrington (Norman) from Auckland University of Technology (AUT), encapsulated the event's overarching theme of Lifting up the voices of all. Building on day 1 and day 2, it brought to the forefront the critical role of libraries in fostering collaboration, equity, and innovation across universities while challenging participants to envision libraries' future as dynamic hubs of knowledge and inclusion.

AUT Vice-Chancellor Damon Salesa 's closing address focused on the evolving role of libraries in a world that is increasingly moving toward online learning and digital resources. He emphasised the significance of libraries during Auckland’s COVID-19 lockdown, when they became essential infrastructure supporting equitable access to knowledge.

The key takeaways from his address included:

• Libraries are transforming into learning commons, becoming more than just spaces of solitude and reading. They ignite curiosity and foster belonging.
• Universities are grappling with the “place of place” question as students increasingly prefer online learning. Yet libraries remain crucial as spaces of inclusion, trust, and collaboration.
• Libraries are guardians of data, working to ensure open and fair sharing of information while addressing the challenges of opaque data practices.

Damon’s remarks were a powerful reminder of libraries’ pivotal role in shaping equitable and inclusive educational futures.

Vanisa Dhiru highlighted libraries as safe, inclusive spaces that facilitate global knowledge exchange. Her talk focused on how libraries can adapt to demographic and workforce trends, including the rise of digital nomads and changing communication styles among younger generations.

Highlights included:

• Libraries must embrace flexibility in work, education, and learning to cater to modern, digitally savvy communities.
• Humour, memes, and innovative communication strategies were presented as tools to bridge cultural, generational, and industry divides.

Vanisa urged attendees to adopt design thinking, emphasising curiosity, small pilots, and iteration as strategies to implement change effectively. Her talk offered practical insights into shaping an inclusive library culture driven by optimism and collective responsibility.

Lightning Talks

The lightning talks provided diverse perspectives on how libraries are evolving to meet the needs of their communities:

Heather Cunningham from the University of Toronto explored how libraries can foster trust in science by hosting informal events such as science cafés. She emphasised the importance of connecting researchers with the public through engaging formats that demystify science and foster dialogue. Shiobhan Smith from the University of Otago shared her journey of establishing a support group for neurodivergent students and staff. Highlighting that 15-20% of the population is neurodivergent, she underscored the value of neurodiverse traits in workplaces and the need for tailored support. Jack Dunstan from RMIT discussed creating instructional videos and resources to address skill shortages in healthcare settings. He highlighted the challenges of resource management and the impact of learning design on long-term therapy education. Lisa Ogle from the University of Newcastle shared the success of a community of practice aimed at building an equity, diversity, and inclusion-literate workforce. She emphasised the importance of including students in these initiatives to create a sense of belonging for all.

Masud Khokhar concluded the conference with his keynote addressing the imperative to reposition libraries as dynamic knowledge platforms, highlighting the challenges of demonstrating their value and relevance in a rapidly changing academic environment.

Key points included:

• The shift from structured to unstructured data requires libraries to adopt new approaches, focusing on data use rather than solely organising information.
• Libraries must bridge knowledge, digital, and innovation gaps, embracing AI and open-source technologies to redefine their roles in an imagination-driven society.
• Masud emphasised the need for cultural shifts, encouraging libraries to embrace risk-taking, break down silos, and foster joy in disruption.

He concluded with a forward-looking vision, sharing Leeds' initiative to develop a Library Institute for Knowledge Futures and the upcoming Knowledge Futures Symposium in 2025.

The third day brought together diverse perspectives, reinforcing libraries’ roles as guardians of knowledge, spaces of belonging, and platforms for innovation. The engaging discussions challenged participants to think critically about their responsibilities and opportunities in shaping the future of education.

As the conference concluded, attendees gained actionable insights and a renewed sense of purpose: championing libraries as essential and transformative institutions in the academic and societal landscape.