Emerald Publishing Invites Librarians Worldwide to Contribute to Global Study on the Future of Libraries
22 October 2026
Emerald Publishing has invited librarians and information professionals worldwide to participate in a global study examining their experiences, challenges and priorities, as part of efforts to understand the changing demands of library and information services.
The invitation, shared in Emerald's newsletter of 21 October 2026, seeks contributions from professionals working in libraries to help build a clearer picture of their daily responsibilities and the issues they consider important for the future of the profession.
Under the invitation titled Tell Us What Matters, Emerald is encouraging librarians to share their perspectives on the realities of library work and the priorities they believe deserve greater attention.
The study comes at a time when academic libraries are responding to changes in how students, lecturers and researchers discover, access and use information. The growing use of digital resources, developments in artificial intelligence and increasing demand for research support are among the issues influencing library services internationally.
These developments have implications for university libraries, where librarians are increasingly involved in supporting scholarly communication, research data management, information literacy and access to electronic resources alongside traditional library services.
At Busitema University, such discussions are relevant to the work of librarians supporting teaching, learning and research across the University's campuses. Their experiences in helping students access academic literature, guiding researchers in identifying suitable publication outlets and assisting lecturers with information resources could offer useful perspectives on the needs of university libraries.
Participation would also provide an opportunity for library professionals working in Uganda to contribute their experiences to an international discussion that may otherwise draw heavily on perspectives from institutions operating in different technological and financial environments.
Issues such as access to scholarly publications, the affordability of electronic resources, staff training and the provision of reliable information services are important considerations for university libraries seeking to meet the needs of their academic communities.
Emerald has encouraged recipients of the invitation to share the survey with colleagues who may be interested in contributing, widening participation among librarians and other information professionals.
The study offers library professionals an opportunity to describe their work in their own terms and identify the issues they believe should receive attention as library services continue to develop.
Busitema University Library staff and other interested information professionals are encouraged to consult Emerald's invitation and consider contributing their experiences to the study.
Official source: Emerald Publishing — Tell Us What Matters global study announcement
