Дата публикации: 14-08-2026 11:11:33

Around 3,500 library experts from over 120 countries gathered in Busan to share a blueprint for future libraries. The ‘2026 Busan World Library and Information Congress (WLIC),’ held at BEXCO for four days from August 10 to August 13, concluded with great success.Under the theme ‘Libraries Leading C

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The ‘2026 Busan World Library and Information Congress (WLIC),’ held at BEXCO for four days from August 10 to August 13, concluded with great success. (Provided by Busan City) 

Around 3,500 library experts from over 120 countries gathered in Busan to share a blueprint for future libraries. The ‘2026 Busan World Library and Information Congress (WLIC),’ held at BEXCO for four days from August 10 to August 13, concluded with great success.

Under the theme ‘Libraries Leading Change,’ the congress dealt in depth with core challenges faced by libraries, such as knowledge infrastructure in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), information accessibility, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Hosted in South Korea for the first time in 20 years since the 2006 Seoul congress, this event was recorded as the first international event in the library sector held in Busan.

During the congress period, approximately 200 professional lectures and academic sessions were held at BEXCO, sharing innovative cases from countries around the world. In particular, at the national committee main session held on August 12, the role of libraries as a public infrastructure to be performed in a generative AI environment and measures to secure information reliability were intensively discussed under the theme ‘From a Knowledge Repository to a Civilizational Refinery.’

The scale of exhibitions and presentations also recorded an all-time high. A record-breaking 205 research papers were presented at the poster session, and 47 companies and institutions participated in the international exhibition to showcase the latest technologies, including AI-based services and digital archiving. Participants confirmed the vision for libraries to move forward amid the rapid environmental changes of digital transformation.

Busan City signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the American Library Association (ALA) at the Nurimaru APEC House on August 10. Signed by Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo, IFLA President Leslie Weir, and ALA President Maria McCauley, this agreement focuses on the exchange of expertise regarding library policies and service operations.

Under this agreement, the three institutions plan to promote the sharing of best practices and information exchange, and continuously seek cooperation opportunities based on mutual trust.

Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo cited as a major achievement of this congress that library professionals from over 120 countries gathered to discuss future directions and establish a foundation for international cooperation.

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