For a long time, everywhere in the world, libraries have offered courses on literacy, digital and other; they help the vulnerable gain basic skills, new competencies and have a better life. But technology for the sake of technology is not a purpose. The new developments in artificial intelligence (AI) are worrisome but are also making our jobs easier. Technology and AI should be a means, through which our lives improve, and our communities grow stronger and resilient. The covid crisis, the migrant and refugee crisis, the war in Ukraine, the environmental changes have put a strain on people. We don’t look at the future with optimism, but with worry, we have less courage and hope than the previous generations, while the AI developments are marching us into the unknown in so many ways. We need new mindsets for doing things, a new way of establishing social networks, where technology is not a barrier, but an enabler for our wellbeing. Libraries could support communities in this journey, for establishing a new human paradigm, new meaningful connections between generations and beyond cultures, perhaps shaping a new way in which we see our connection with the AI.

Occupy Library / Stelline Conference 2024 is looking for contributions who showcase initiatives where technology, in particular artificial intelligence, has contributed to both digital transformation and increased personal and  community wellbeing. The contributions can be sent as a presentation format, workshops, labs, and ignite talks.

The new deadline for submitting a proposal is the 20th of April 2024.

Submission Formats

Occupy Library / Stelline Conference invites submissions on the conference theme and topics, comprising of any of the following content directions:

   1. future-oriented, thought leadership pieces arising out of current experiences.

    2. presentation of innovative services.

    3. work in progress or pilot descriptions, sufficiently mature to warrant attention.  

    4. best practice and case studies specifying requirements, challenges or opportunities.

When submitting a proposal, speakers can choose the best format for the content they intend to deliver from the list of options below:

1. presentations: mature works that showcase ideas, best practices and case studies, illustrating the methods used and opening up a discussion on the on the topic and its issues. 
2.  posters: visually-inspiring displays of a completed or ongoing initiative, processes and results.
3. labs or workshops: lively panel sessions, consisting of interactive meetings, demos or exhibitions, games related to the theme and the topics of the conference.
4. ignite talks: 5-minute speed speeches on the topics of the conference.

Selection Criteria  

The Conference Programme Committee  will select proposals based on the following criteria:  

    originality/innovation  

    method/elaboration  

    interest/engagement  

    impact/emplication  

    relevance   

Guidance and Notes on Submitting

1. Accepted contributions will be limited to one proposal per author. Similarly, we aim to avoid more than one presentations on a single initiative/project.

2.Submissions advertising commercial products and/or services will not be considered.

3. Only submissions in English will be considered, in line with the official language of the conference.

4. For all proposals, the Conference Programme Committee may accept an abstract. Authors are encouraged to submit their accepted abstracts for publication as an English-language supplement of the leading scientific journal Biblioteche Oggi in the September issue.

Abstract length should be a minimum of 300 words and should not exceed 500 words (for all forms suggested above).

Timeline, registration & fees:

Call for papers and proposals: December 27th 2023 – April 20th 2024

Communication for accepted authors: April 22nd – April 26th 2024

Confirmation of participation for contributors: April 29th – May 3rd 2024 

The participation fee is € 149 (+ VAT for Italian participants) as an early bird until April 26th 2024.

After April 26th, the participating fee will be € 199 (+ VAT for Italian participants).

Selected authors will be charged the early bird fee.