About the Conference

Libraries for Tomorrow Conference 2026 brings together library professionals to explore how rapid technological change is reshaping the future of knowledge and access. Under the theme The Future is Now: Adapting to Exponential Change, we go beyond the library’s walls to examine shifts in our social fabric, explore how information is being created and consumed, and consider the technological possibilities on the horizon. Expect panel discussions and poster presentations that showcase how libraries are not just responding to change, but are leading it in their own communities. Join us in reaffirming the library’s enduring role as a democratic space for learning, opportunity, and connection.  

Conference Registration

Early Bird (1 Jul – 30 Sept) Regular (1 Oct – 20 Oct)
2-Day Pass $120 $150
1-Day Pass $90 $100

 

Free for LAS members, and up to 3 pax from each institutional member.

Poster Competition

Got a bold idea or innovative project to share? We invite poster submissions that showcase how libraries are adapting to rapid changes—through transformative ways of working, creative uses of technology, or new approaches to professional practice.

For this exciting event, stand to win these top cash prizes:

  • First Place: $1,000
  • Second Place: $500
  • Third Place: $250

Posters should highlight projects and/or initiatives undertaken by your libraries, or ideas in any of the following sub-themes:

This theme explores how libraries are adapting to rapidly evolving user needs, emerging trends and shifting expectations.

Submissions may highlight projects or initiatives to do with:

  • Community engagement and impact
  • Environmental sustainability in library operations, collections, and services
  • Inclusivity and accessibility
  • Partnerships and collaborations

      This theme explores how technology is shaping the future of libraries.

      Submissions may:

      • Highlight how emerging technologies (e.g. AI, immersive experiences, etc.) or existing technologies have been applied to libraries in new and impactful ways.
      • Share implementation insights, including challenges, risks, and lessons learned.
      • Address ethics and governance issues around technology, including responsible use guidelines and policies.
      • Share best practices in user education, for example, how libraries are supporting users in an ever-changing information landscape.

      This theme explores how librarianship is evolving.

      Submissions may showcase:

      • Case studies of evolving roles
      • Case studies of a library professional of the future (e.g. Future roles, skills, or work environment), supported by relevant trends or insights where possible
      • Case studies of new ways of working (e.g. Introduction of agile teams, cross-discipline partnerships)
      • Skills development and training initiatives (e.g. AI literacy workshops, professional development pathways)

      📅 Deadline: 23 September 2026 (Wed)

      📝Poster Submission:

      • All posters must be submitted in A1 size (594 x 841 mm) and PDF format.
      • Please also submit:
        • 500-word description explaining your poster’s concept and message.
        • 150-word bio highlighting your name, affiliations and expertise.

      Selected participants will be notified and kindly requested to arrange printing of their posters (A1 size) for showcase at LAS Conference 2026.

      Stay tuned! Winners of the Poster Competition will be announced at the conference.

      1) Relevance to Theme

      • Alignment with Conference Theme: How well does the poster address the conference’s overarching theme of how libraries can adapt to rapid change?
      • Significance to Libraries: Is the topic timely and relevant to current trends and challenges in the library field?

      2) Project Description and Impact

      • Project Goals and Objectives: Are the goals and objectives of the project clearly stated and well-defined?
      • Evidence of Impact: Does the submission demonstrate clear or plausible impact on the library or community, supported by metrics, feedback, outcomes, or relevant trends and insights?

      3) Innovation and Creativity

      • Originality: Does the poster present original ideas in the specified areas?
      • Novelty of Approach and Creativity: Does the project offer an innovative or unique approach to solving a problem or addressing a need? Is the solution creative and forward-thinking?

      4) Visual Appeal and Presentation

      • Aesthetics & Clarity of Visuals: Are the visuals appealing, clear, relevant, and well-organised to support the poster’s message?
      • Balance of Text and Graphics: Is there a good balance between text and graphics, ensuring that both elements complement each other?

      5) Educational Value

      • Teaching and Learning Opportunities: Does the project offer valuable lessons or insights that can be shared with other libraries or professionals?
      • Best Practices and Educational Impact: Does the project contribute to the development or dissemination of best practices in the library field? Is there potential for the project’s findings or methods to be used in educational settings or professional development?

      Questions?

      Please send your enquiries to conference@las.org.sg

      Call for Papers

      We look forward to your participation and would like to invite you to submit papers for the following themes:

      This theme explores how libraries are adapting to rapidly evolving user needs, emerging trends and shifting expectations.

       Submissions may examine:

      • How do libraries support sustainability and the environment in the digital age?
      • How do library patrons view libraries, and how would they like libraries to meet their information needs?
      • Evolving library functions and purposes e.g. the role of libraries in supporting mental health

      This theme explores how technology is shaping the future of libraries.

       Submissions may include:

      • How libraries balance the human element (staff and users) while embracing technology for more engaging experiences
      • Redefining possibilities amidst technical issues and funding challenges
      • Case studies on the use of technology in libraries

      This theme explores how librarianship is evolving.

       Submissions may investigate:

      • New roles for librarians
      • Relationships between users and librarians
      • Training for future librarians

      Deadline: 28 August 2026 (Fri)

      Paper Submission

      • 150-word bio highlighting your name, affiliations, and expertise
      • Presentation title
      • Abstract (not more than 300 words) for a 10-15 minute presentation

       Selected participants will be notified in due course.

      Programme

      08:30 - 09:15

      Registration

      09:15 - 09:20

      Introduction by Emcee

      09:20 - 09:40

      Welcome remarks

      Shameem Nilofar
      President, Library Association of Singapore

      09:40 - 10:15

      Opening keynote

      Warren Fernandez
      Senior Fellow and Head of National Security Studies Programme; Editor of RSIS Publications, S. Rajaratnam School of International; and Senior Advisor at NTU’s Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information,
      Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; and Deputy Chair, National Library Board

      10:15 - 10:45

      Tea Break

      THEME 1: Future of Libraries
      10:45 - 11:45

      Future of Libraries Panel Discussion

      Panellists:
      Associate Professor Loh Chin Ee | National Institute of Education
      Ng Kah Gay | Ethos Books and Pagesetters
      Sarah Ichioka | Desire Lines

      Moderated by
      Joan Wee | Singapore Institute of Technology

      11:45 - 12:00

      Poster presentation

      12:00 - 13:30

      Lunch

      13:30 - 14:30

      Concurrent Sessions: Future of Libraries – Paper Sessions I & II

      @ Theatre
      Libraries as Enablers of Trusted Research Data Infrastructure
      By Janna Xu Cong and Dong Danping
      Singapore Management University
      From Library Resource to AI-Powered Learning: Embedding Library-Enabled Database into Curriculum
      By Bo Lan and Wan Ho Wah
      Singapore Polytechnic
      Beyond Resource Provision: The Academic Library as a Strategic Partner in Future-Ready Curriculum Redesign
      By Dr Kwa Lay Ping and Wong Cheng Long
      Singapore Polytechnic

      @ Atrium
      Creating Entry Points for Entrepreneurship in Singapore: How Launch Provides a Safe Space to Take Off
      By Lisabelle Tan
      National Library Board
      Translating Interdisciplinary Research into Art: Artists in the Academic Library
      By Kamiliah Bahdar
      Singapore Management University

      @ Function Room 2
      Facilitated Table Discussion: Have Your Say: Shaping Skills and Priorities for Singapore Libraries through the IFLA Trend Report & Skills Agenda

      Join fellow library professionals in shaping future skills priorities for Singapore libraries. Through interactive table discussions, explore key trends from the IFLA Trend Report 2024 and contribute ideas for building a future-ready workforce.

      14:30 - 15:00

      Poster presentation

      15:00 - 15:30

      Tea Break

      15:30 - 17:00

      Lecture

      Communities, Not Commodities: AI, Libraries, and Language Diversity
      Assistant Professor Setsuko Yokoyama | Singapore University of Technology and Design

      17:00 - 17:30

      Poster presentations

      17:30

      End of Day One

      08:30 - 09:15

      Registration

      THEME 2: Future of Technology
      09:15 - 10:15

      Future of Technology Panel Discussion

      Panellists:
      Lim Bee Kwan | Assurity Trusted Solutions and Singapore Computer Society
      Dr Ngui Jian Gang | AI Singapore
      Dr Natalia Grincheva | LASALLE, University of the Arts Singapore

      Moderated by
      Liana Tang | National Library Board

      10:15 - 10:45

      Tea Break

      10:45 - 12:00

      Concurrent Sessions: Future of Technology — Paper Sessions I & II

      @ Theatre
      Can Librarians Build Their Own Digital Solutions? Rethinking Technology Innovation in the Age of GenAI
      By Chua Junjie and Theresa Lee Hui Qi
      Nanyang Technological University
      AI-Powered Records Management Chatbot: Strengthening Institutional Records Governance through AI-Enabled Policy Guidance
      By Grace Khoo
      Ngee Ann Polytechnic
      From Shelves to Smart Retrieval: Rethinking Library Services through Robotics and Automation
      By Dr. Chan Chung Yee Hubert
      HKC International Holdings Limited
      Information Discovery and Access – Leveraging Technology to Transform Library Services
      By Andy Heng
      Defence Science and Technology Agency

      @ Atrium
      Library-Without-Reshelving – Forging a New Path in Library Automation
      By Andy Lim Guo Cong
      Singapore Polytechnic
      Building LibBee AI: What We Learned Building an AI Library Assistant Instead of Buying One
      By Kannadasan Venkatachalam (Venki)
      Ngee Ann Polytechnic
      User-first Approach to Designing a Library AI Chatbot
      By Samantha Seah and Li Zhenyan
      Singapore Management University
      From Strings to Things: Rethinking Authority Control for Connected Entities
      Building NLB’s Entity Data Service
      By Phyllis Wee
      National Library Board

      12:00 - 13:30

      Lunch

      THEME 3: Future of Librarianship
      13:30 - 14:45

      Concurrent Sessions: Future of Librarianship — Paper Sessions I & II

      @ Theatre
      Beyond Traditional AI Literacy: Reimagining the Role of Librarians in an AI-Enabled University
      By Chia Yew Boon and Vincent Wong
      Nanyang Technological University
      From Gatekeepers to Guides: Reimagining Rare and Special Collections Librarianship
      By Makeswary Periasamy
      National Library Board
      After LLM: What Singapore’s Library Job Advertisements Reveal About a Changing Profession
      By Janna Xu Cong
      Singapore Management University

      @ Atrium
      The Art of Librarianship: What Artists Really Want from Us
      By Luke Chua
      National Library Board
      From Users to Partners: Redefining Student Participation in School Librarianship
      By Masturah binte Abdul Aziz
      Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary)
      The Evolving Role of Librarians in Bridging Societal Gaps
      By Yvonne Ng
      National Library Board

      14:45 - 15:00

      Report on Facilitated Table Discussion on IFLA Trend Report

      Phoebe Lim | Nanyang Technological University

      15:00 - 15:30

      Tea Break

      15:30 - 16:30

      Future of Librarianship Panel Discussion

      Panellists:
      Aaron Tay | Singapore Management University
      Koh Chern Chern | Singapore Polytechnic
      Gee Miaw Miin | National Library Board

      Moderated by
      Alex Foo | Ministry of Digital Development and Information

      16:30 - 16:35

      Closing remarks

      Ian Yap
      Conference Chair and Vice President, Library Association of Singapore

      16:35 - 17:00

      Presentation of poster awards and group photographs

      17:00

      End of Conference

      Conference Sponsors