Become a local partner
IATUL hosts four different types of events in close cooperation with local partners:
The main event is the Annual IATUL conference, with regularly about 200 or more delegates.
Further, there is the yearly IATUL Seminar, that is traditionally held in autumn/winter.
A Leadership Academy or Focus Workshops may be organized in response to proposals from member libraries.
In addition, IATUL is happy to also offer Directors’ Summits in response to proposals from member libraries.
All these events aim to support a professional and close exchange among the member libraries by giving the possibility to meet international colleagues in person. The focus is on creating long-lasting positive synergies from IATUL’s strong global network of institutions. All events stand out due to the high level of professional competence as the participants are library directors and their senior managers. Members and delegates from more than 70 countries guarantee an international atmosphere and international perspectives on current issues in the library world.
In the Spring or early Summer, the International Association of University Libraries (IATUL) members meet to discuss strategic and applied topics that advance both the individual and collective practices of university libraries.
Hosting an IATUL conference is a great opportunity to:
- meet colleagues from around the world;
- showcase your city and your institution; and
- network with library directors and senior managers from over 70 countries to exchange ideas, expand professional networks, form new collaborations, and work together on multinational projects exploring the big challenges we face.
The Annual IATUL Conference is the main event that our association holds, lasting from Monday to Thursday of the week in question, preceded by the Sunday’s Opening Reception for delegates. The sequence of sessions is restricted to Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, whereas Wednesday is devoted to the delegates’ joint study tour. As for all other IATUL events, the conference is normally held on the grounds of the host institution.
IATUL Annual Conferences aim at welcoming 200 or more delegates, and include a social programme for delegates and accompanying persons, as well as commercial exhibits. Also part of the conference are two Board meetings, and an Annual General Assembly for IATUL members. As with any IATUL event, presentations by commercial library partners are not part of the regular conference programme.
Requirements for Hosting
Host libraries volunteer staff time and resources to organise the meeting. To be considered as a host, it is essential that each library meets all the following requirements:
- Conferences are intended to produce a profit, which contributes to the budget for IATUL programmes for the coming year. At a minimum, conferences must break even.
- The library has staff or volunteers who can secure financial sponsorship from relevant library-related vendors, and regional, municipal and institutional stakeholders.
- The library has the ability to host a conference website and to provide event registration via credit card (or can obtain such services).
- The library has the ability to pre-pay costs such as meeting rooms, catering, AV, etc. that will be covered by registration fees.
- Please fill out the application form.
- Send the completed application form to the attention of the IATUL Board of Directors by email to the IATUL Office
- A conference handbook is available upon request. Please send requests and questions to iatul@cpo-hanser.de.
The aspiring applicant shall review the IATUL values statement and let us know if he believes
he is able to create a conference program and experience for attendees that aligns
with those values.
To apply to host an IATUL event, members shall be in good standing.
Application Deadline
for submission of applications to host
the IATUL Seminars or Annual Conferences in 2025-2026:
31st May 2024