Images clockwise from top left: librarian advising a researcher in the library, Galileo’s handwritten notes found in ancient astronomy text, a held-up magnifying glass, forged Shakespeare manuscript
It's almost April already. This month's link-out has all the library and information news you need! Amber Dance makes the case that every scientist needs a librarian. Check it out and more over at www.libfocus.com
LIR Annual Seminar 2026 call for papers. Theme: supporting emerging literacies: how do libraries design and deliver new literacy programes? Submission deadline 31st of March. Two hands on a blue and white background.
Submissions are now open for the LIR Annual Seminar 2026. Focusing on supporting emerging literacies, it takes place in person at the Asiera offices, Dublin 1, on 13th May. Submit your abstract by 31st March! www.libfocus.com/2026/03/call... #LIRAnnualSeminar2026
Images featured in this month's Libfocus link-out articles.
This month's link-out has all the library and information news you need! Carlo Iacono convincingly argues that our "inability to focus isn’t a failing. It’s a design problem. Check it out and more over at www.libfocus.com
#ASL2026 bursaries. three images in circles: long rows of seats in a room with a red carpet, three people looking at a computer, the A&SL logo. Apply bu 24th February to attend #ASL2026 for free. Academic & Special Libraries Conference, 24th March 2026, RIA, Dublin.
Don't miss the chance to attend #ASL2026 for FREE! LIS students and library sector workers - apply for 1 of 2 bursaries by 24th February to join us in @ria.ie on 24th March AND have your conference review published in @libfocus.bsky.social or An Leabharlann! More info: aslibraries.ie/asl-2026-bur...
Our latest guest post, by Michelle O’Donovan of @ucclibrary.bsky.social explores how Conversation Cafés are building meaningful connections between students, and are bringing them together over a cup of coffee and a chat (while introducing them to the library)
www.libfocus.com/2026/02/the-...
from top left: Two people standing in front of book shelves, graphic with spotlights with the text all access, two people standing in front of plates of food, black and white picture of rows of seated men, a man sitting on the ground, a hand holding a red disc, people standing in a group, a statue outside a building and a brain between library shelves.
This month's link-out has all the library and information news you need! A University library closure prompts outrage, the importance of librarians sharing what they do, AI, academic journals, the @warmwelcomeuk.bsky.social, mental health for library workers and more over at www.libfocus.com
Don't miss the chance to go to the always brilliant #ASL2026 for free, network with library sector colleagues and have your conference review published online. Apply by 24th February!
If you’re looking to ground yourself in a topic with fact-based research, librarians are still your best friends.
“There’s information,” the librarian said to me, “and then there’s the right information.”
nautil.us/viva-la-libr...
#libraries #skybrarians #publibs
Researchers dismayed as NASA's largest research library closes in Maryland 📜📚
www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/r...
Hi library friends & colleagues in the UK! Check out @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social on BBC 4 Storyville: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
📚 📜
"As I have been working on an inventory of our medical instruments..." Archivists really do have the coolest jobs in libraries. From University of Louisville Libraries 📚 uofllibraries.wordpress.com/2026/01/07/f...
A 50 euro note in a jeans pocket and the text: #ASL2026 student/unemployed tickets
Calling all LIS students and unemployed library sector workers! Don't miss out on our discounted €50 tickets for #ASL2026 on 24th March in @ria.ie, Dublin. Join us for networking opportunities, insights into library innovations and best practices and more. Register at aslibraries.ie/asl-conferen...
Conul: consortium of national university libraries. Conference 2026: 27-28 May 2026, Galmont Hotel, Galway. Transforming futures: Libraries leading through change and innovation. Call for papers now open. conference.conul.ie. #CONUL26. Image of a hand touching a whirlpool of white light against a background of multi coloured circles.
Find out how to submit an abstract for the CONUL Conference with this guest post by the @conulconference.bsky.social committee. Submit your abstract by 20th January and you could be presenting at #CONUL2026 in Galway on 27th and 28th May. www.libfocus.com/2026/01/call...
Volume 1, Issue 2, Winter 2025. Health Sciences Libraries Group. Health Sciences Library Journal. Official journal of the Health Sciences Libraries Group of the Library association of Ireland. Picture of trees in snowy weather.
Our first guest post of 2026 is from the editorial team of the Health Sciences Libraries Journal. They highlight the articles featured in the latest issue of the journal and share details about the deadlines for the Summer 2026 issues. www.libfocus.com
Green post it that reads: New Year's Resolution. Submit abstract for #ASL2026 by 19th January.
Submit your abstract for #ASL2026 by 19th January and tick off the first of your New Year's Resolutions! Don't miss the chance to present on the theme 'Reimagining librarianship: Purpose, practice, possibility' on 24th March 2026 in @ria.ie in Dublin. More info: aslibraries.ie/asl-conferen...
Happy Christmas and New Year to all our lovely followers and to everyone who has engaged with us here and visited us at libfocus.com. The blog has published more than 40 articles this year, huge thanks to all our contributors. Find out what our most read article of 2025 was at tinyurl.com/4e6jsp6p
Three people standing beside a table with printed materials on it. The tablecloth on the table has the HSE logo and HSE Library, Leabharlann FSS printed on it.
In our final guest post of 2025, Bennery Rickard @hselive.bsky.social looks at #HSELibraryDay which took place on 24 September 2025. Careful planning and promotion resulted in 50 events across the country highlighting libraries and librarians in the health service. www.libfocus.com
Two pink tickets and the A&SL logo on a notice that reads: Acadmeic & Special Libraries Conference. Tickets on sale now! 24 March 2026 Royal Irish Academy Dublin. Reimagining librarianship: Purpose, practice and possibility. #ASL2026.
Tickets are now on sale for #ASL2026! We can't wait to see you in @ria.ie in Dublin on 24 March 2026. With @niamhtumelty.bsky.social and @lizjolly.bsky.social as our keynote speakers, this is an event you don't want to miss. Registration and conference information at tinyurl.com/8s2kfz62
Picture of a woman standing in front of a bookcase filled with books and a window
In her guest post Heather Wallace reflects on how her internship in @itmadublin.bsky.social helped her to connect with Irish culture and transformed her understanding of Irish traditional music, song and dance. Learn more at www.libfocus.com
Three people standing beside a banner that reads: Knowledge Summit Dublin
In our latest guest post Bord Bia's Mairéad McKeown shares key insights from the Knowledge Summit Dublin. Her post contains key learnings from the conference, with practical examples and thought starters to empower insight into action - all over at www.libfocus.com
Images clockwise from top left: Engraving of an angel writing in a book beside a winged cherub, cartoon image of a man taking pages out of a computer screen, stacks of papers on labelled shelves, people sitting in a wood panelled library, hands holding a mobile phone
In our last link-out post of 2025 you’ll get the latest in open access, digital collections, declining social media use (yikes) and more. Read a call to action for #library staff, meet an anti-AI Librarian who teaches AI and learn about the perils of ignoring academic #libraries at www.libfocus.com
Read the latest issue of the @healthlibraries.bsky.social journal, which highlights the diverse voices, innovations, and lived experiences shaping today’s health and library information landscape. journals.ucc.ie/index.php/hs...
Stop what you're doing right now and read this brilliant article by Martin O'Connor from our libfocus team! He shows how important academic writing is for library staff - we hope it inspires you to send us an article for the @libfocus.bsky.social blog. Read our latest posts at www.libfocus.com
A person with black hair arranging books on grey shelves in a library
In our latest guest post Ashley Burke looks at the creative ways @mulibrary.bsky.social has worked around the limitations of the Dewey Decimal system, helping students both locate information and understand the systems behind it. Read all about it at www.libfocus.com
It's Library Ireland Week! Let us know how libraries light the way for you and the best entry will win an iPad! We want to hear from you! And remember to use the hashtag so we can find your submission! Visit https://libraryirelandweek.ie/ for further details! #LIW25
Tablet, PC and laptop screens showing screenshots from a website
Our latest guest post is from Irene O’Dowd, Ann Byrne @the-librariann.bsky.social and Emberly Davey from the Digital Learning Department in Hibernia College. Learn about the team's Digital Literacy OER which has been re-launched with additional content. www.libfocus.com
4 images clockwise from top left: Man holding his hand up to the front of the picture, large room with several floors and white pillars, gloved hands filling test tubes in a laboratory setting, collage of a hand holding a book with colours exploding from it
Looking for the latest library and information news? Never fear, the libfocus link-out is here! Read about the incredible Internet Archive milestone, the latest AI and Open Access updates, librarians as keepers of truth and libraries of the future. This and much more at www.libfocus.com
Our Latest guest post by Siobhan Bowman, Paul Breen, Stephanie Chen, Breeda Herlihy, Ronan Madden & Ben Williamson of UCC Library is now available.
They write about learning together to strengthen evidence synthesis skills and support research across campus.
www.libfocus.com/2025/11/libr...
Ten people standing in front of a sign with the text Chester Beatty
A woman gesturing to a colourful ceremonial robe
A person looking at a collection of colourful bound books
Two people standing at behind a class case with ornately decorated books in it
Huge thanks to Chester Beatty Library and our tour guide Mary who introduced us to the history and fascinating collections of @chesterbeatty.bsky.social last night. It was great to catch up with our A&SL members too - thanks for joining us!
With @kfitz.info as keynote!
