JSTOR Announces International Engagements as Libraries Prepare to Discuss AI, Digital Resources and Research Access

20 October 2026

Library professionals, academic publishers and information specialists from different parts of the world are preparing to meet at a series of international conferences addressing some of the major changes affecting libraries and scholarly communication.

JSTOR has identified several events taking place between October and November 2026 where its representatives will engage with institutions and professionals involved in research, publishing and information services. The engagements, highlighted in JSTOR's October 2026 newsletter, come as academic libraries examine the growing use of artificial intelligence, the rising cost of electronic resources and new approaches to making research more accessible.

Among the events is the Arizona Library Association Annual Conference, scheduled for 21–23 October 2026 in Tucson, United States. The association is marking its centenary, bringing together librarians, educators, publishers and other information professionals to exchange experiences in library services, professional development and community engagement.

Attention will then shift to the Charleston Library Conference, taking place from 2–6 November in South Carolina. The annual gathering is known for discussions on scholarly publishing, collection development and the relationship between libraries and information providers.

Issues surrounding the acquisition and management of electronic resources are particularly relevant to university libraries, where decisions about journal subscriptions, ebook collections and digital platforms directly affect the materials available to students and researchers.

The 32nd Pan-Hellenic Academic Libraries Conference will follow from 9–11 November in Thessaloniki, Greece. Its programme includes discussions on artificial intelligence in academic libraries, digital archives, open science, information literacy and inclusive library services.

These subjects reflect changes already influencing the work of university libraries, including the need to help students evaluate information produced through AI tools and distinguish reliable scholarly evidence from inaccurate or misleading content.

Similar concerns will feature in Taiwan during the CONCERT 2026 International Conference, scheduled for 12–13 November under the theme Beyond Open: Unlocking Information. The conference programme includes a session examining how libraries can help bridge gaps in artificial intelligence skills and strengthen their contribution to academic research.

JSTOR has also listed ANKOSLink 2026, scheduled for 16–19 November in Antalya, Türkiye. Discussions will cover library consortia, open access publishing, artificial intelligence, digital transformation and new models of cooperation between academic institutions.

India will host another gathering through the PLANNER 2026 convention, scheduled for 25–27 November at Gauhati University. The event will examine collaborative library services, digital inclusion, intelligent discovery tools and sustainable approaches to preserving academic information.

The range of subjects under discussion has practical significance for Busitema University Library, particularly as the University community continues to rely on electronic resources for teaching, academic writing and research.

Developments in digital discovery tools could influence how students locate relevant publications, while discussions on open access and resource-sharing arrangements offer librarians different approaches to addressing gaps in academic collections.

The conferences also provide opportunities to examine experiences from institutions that have introduced new library technologies, improved research support services or developed more effective ways of managing electronic information.

Lessons emerging from these professional discussions could inform future library training, digital resource planning and services offered to researchers and postgraduate students.

JSTOR's presence at the gatherings will provide opportunities for direct engagement with library professionals and institutions interested in its research platforms and digital collection services.

The meetings will also provide a wider view of how academic libraries are responding to technological change while maintaining their responsibility to connect readers with credible scholarly information.

 

Explore JSTOR's upcoming international engagements and discover the conferences bringing together library professionals, publishers and researchers to discuss new technologies, digital collections and scholarly information services. Visit the official JSTOR Events Calendar