Past presentations may be viewed on the ASL YouTube channel
ASL Conferences Archive
The Annual Conference of the Academic and Special Libraries Section of the Library Association of Ireland is a unique and special event in the Continuing Professional Development landscape for librarians and information professionals in Ireland. This conference brings together professionals from diverse backgrounds within the library and information field, offering a platform for learning, networking, and innovation.
Collaboration and community building are at the heart of this conference, fostering connections among professionals and empowering them to address the unique challenges of their respective library environments. Whether you’re a seasoned librarian or a new entrant to the field, this event provides an invaluable space to learn, grow, and contribute to the future of libraries in Ireland.
What makes this event exceptional is its commitment to addressing the ever-evolving challenges and opportunities in the field. Through thought-provoking keynote speakers and engaging discussions, attendees gain insights into the latest trends, technologies, and best practices.
Don’t miss this annual gathering of dedicated professionals, where you can gain fresh perspectives, share experiences, and find inspiration to enhance your career in the ever-evolving world of librarianship.
Yesterday I was invited to do a keynote at the annual @ASLIBRARIES conference in Dublin. Besides taking the prize for Coolest Program Layout of 2019 it was one of the absolute best conferences I’ve attended; So much energy, passion and openness. Thank you all #asl2019
Christian Lauersen, Director of Libraries and Citizen Services in Roskilde Municipality, Keynote speaker 2019
There’s an irresistible charm to the A&SL Committee… Committee members are razor sharp and have their finger on the pulse (to employ a tired and much overused expression) but they also have an informality, humour and approachability that has provided space for new conversations in the Irish library profession and invited in a broader, wider range of contributors to this conversation.
Libfocus 2016
ASL 2025 Conference – Cultivating Connection: Libraries Championing Quality, Well-Being, and Inclusivity
Abstracts and Biographies of Keynotes, Speakers and Posters 2025
The 2025 A&SL Annual Conference was held in the beautiful, historic surroundings of MoLI. Centred around the theme ‘Cultivating Connection: Libraries Championing Quality, Well-Being, and Inclusivity’, the event explored the importance and challenges of balancing staff wellbeing and development with the needs of our users. We heard from a wide range of highly engaging speakers, and there was great opportunity for networking and exchange of perspectives between attendees throughout the day. For those who were unable to join in person, keynote addresses are available to view on the A&SL YouTube channel, with details of all presentations accessible here.
Reviews of #ASL2025
Ann Marie Barrett was the recipient of the ASL2025 bursary. Her article on attending the conference was published in An Leabharlann, where she reviews the thought-provoking talks from our conference speakers including the powerful speeches from our keynote speakers Helen Rimmer and Claire McGuinness
ASL 2024 Conference – Fair for All: Creating Equitable and Universal Access to Information
Abstracts and Biographies of Keynotes, Speakers and Posters 2024
The ability to access accurate and relevant information is vitally important in a modern society. In 2016, the UN General Assembly passed a non-binding Resolution that declared internet access a human right, while UNESCO advocates for access to information as a fundamental freedom and a key pillar in building inclusive knowledge societies.
However, users continue to face barriers when trying to find and access information. They are hindered by paywalls, censorship, accessibility issues and technological inequalities, and frustrated by information overload and fake news.
At the A&SL Conference 2024 we looked at how we, as librarians and information professionals, support our users in overcoming these challenges and gaining access to the information they need.
Reviews of #ASL2024
Our 2024 Bursary winners have have written excellent conference reviews of #ASL2024 “Fair for All: Creating Equitable and Universal Access to Information”. They provide snapshots of the innovative projects taking place in Irish and International libraries and capture the energy and excitement of the day. Read Beth Tyrrell’s article in An Leabharlann and Mona Power’s article for Libfocus.
ASL 2019 Conference – Library: space, Place or State of Mind?
The A&SL 2019 Annual Conference & Exhibition, “Library – Space, Place, or State of Mind?” took place on Friday 29th March 2019, Wood Quay Venue, Dublin 8. Addressing the theme were thought-provoking keynotes from Christian Lauersen, Director of libraries and citizen services in Roskilde Municipality, and Karen Latimer, from the IFLA Library Buildings & Equipment Standing Committee. We had lots of interesting case studies and a poster competition, which was won by Mícheál Ó hAodha & Michelle Breen (University of Limerick). This was followed by an engaging panel discussion with the audience and a drinks and nibbles reception in the Bull & Castle.
Review of #ASL2019 – “Library; Space, Place, or State of Mind?”, Sinead Hanrahan, Libfocus, April 2019
ASL 2018 Conference – Fail Better: Lessons Lived, Lessons Learnt
We attempt to break the stigma of failure within communities and take a look at how failure needn’t be a dirty word. We hope to explore the instructive and generative capacity of failure with our delegates, and tease out how its acceptance within an organisation can prove beneficial.
Fail Better: Lessons Lived; Lessons Learnt Conference took place on 9th March at the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin. The Keynote Speakers
National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin 2
were Duncan Chappell, Academic Liaison Librarian Glasgow School of Art, and Andrea Lydon, National Gallery of Ireland.
Review of event: A&SL 2018 Conference and Exhibition – Fail Better: Lessons Lived; Lessons Learnt, Colleen Ballard, Libfocus, April 2018
Video presentations: ASL2018, Fail Better: Lessons Lived, Lessons Learnt
Relive #asl2018 experience with the fabulous sketches from the day, drawn by Lee Kirwan
ASL 2017 Conference – The Social Librarian: Connecting and Creating Communities
The traditional role of the librarian was to connect people with information but it has evolved to include connecting people with people. The information profession is filled with sociable and socially-minded people who care about their user communities and often create new ones.
The A&SL 2017 Annual Conference & Exhibition, The Sociable Librarian: Connecting & Creating Communities took place on Thursday 16th & Friday 17th February 2017 at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Golden Lane, Dublin 8. The Keynote Speakers were Scott Bonner – Director, Ferguson Municipal Public Library, Ferguson, Missouri and Brenda O’Connell, Department of Psychology, University of Limerick.
Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Golden Lane, Dublin 2
Review of event: Academic & Special Libraries Annual Conference, The sociable Librarian: connecting and creating communities,Emma Barthes Libfocus, March 2017
Review of event: ‘Positivity, People and Pastries at the Academic and Special Libraries Annual Conference, Conference reports II’, Lynne Gault, An Leabharlann: The Irish Library, Volume 26, Issue 1, 2017
Videos of presentations: ASL 2017, The Social Librarian: Connecting and Creating Communities Playlist
ASL 2016 Conference – Smashing Stereotypes: Librarians Get Loud!
The theme of this year’s conference was library radicalism. Keynote Speakers were Dr. Sandra Collins, Director, National Library of Ireland, Jan Parry, HonFCLIP, Immediate Past President, CILIP and Alison Macrina, Founder and Director of the Library Freedom Project.
Raddisson Blu Hotel, Golden Lane, Dublin 8
Review of Event: Academic & Special Libraries (LAI) Annual Conference, 11th-12th Feb 2016 Posted on Monday, Marie O’Neill, Libfocus, February 2016
Videos of presentations: ASL2016 – Smashing stereotypes: Librarians get loud!
ASL 2015 Conference – The Inside Out Library: Collaboration, Inspiration, Transformation
Librarians are stepping out from behind the issue desk, taking on new roles, forming new partnerships and applying their skills and knowledge to new situations. Join the A&SL Committee in 2015 as we consider the growing importance of collaboration for the profession and discover how collaboration both inspires and transforms.
Gibson Hotel, Point Village, Dublin 1
We will be asking: What do librarians have to offer both inside and outside of the library? How do our skills transfer to new environments? What can we learn from professionals in other institutions and other sectors? What new opportunities are out there for librarians and where are the “library” jobs of the future?
ASL 2014 Conference – Information Innovators: Librarians Evolving in the Digital Environment
The theme of the conference was ‘Information Innovators: Librarians evolving in the digital environment’. For the first time, the conference was held over one and a half days. In addition to keynote speakers and case studies, the conference had workshops, poster presentations and lightning talks from our twelve sponsors. For a second year the conference was live streamed by HEAnet.
Raddisson Blu Hotel, Golden Lane, Dublin 8
A&SL 