Practical Implementations of artificial intelligence in Public Libraries(14 August)
Practical Implementations of artificial intelligence in Public LibrariesIn conjunction with IFLA WLIC 2026 in Busan, Republic of Korea, the IFLA Public Libraries Section—in collaboration with the IFLA IT Section and other partners—is pleased to announce a satellite conference focused on the practical implementation of AI in public libraries. The program features an exclusive tour of the Seoul Outdoor Library.
| Theme | Practical Implementations of Artificial Intelligence in Public Libraries |
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| Date | Friday, 14 August 2026 / 10:00-16:00 |
| Venue | Seoul Metropolitan Government, 110 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul |
| Spoken Language | English |
| Keynote | |
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Founder & Chairman of Overdrive, Steve Potash "AI in the reading advisory function in the Libby app" |
| Biographies: Steve Potash is President and Chief Executive Officer of OverDrive, a company he co-founded in 1986 with Loree Potash. He also serves on its Board of Directors. Under his leadership, OverDrive has become the leading digital reading platform for eBooks, audiobooks, and other digital media for over 92,000 libraries, schools, government agencies, corporate learning centers, colleges, and universities worldwide. He has pioneered many innovations for digital content use and applications. OverDrive has long-standing partnerships with thousands of librarians, as well publishers, authors, and media companies across the industry. As a mission-based company, OverDrive became a Certified B Corp in 2017 dedicated to “A World Enlightened by Reading." The Steve & Loree Potash Family Foundation funds literacy programs through BelieveinReading.org. In 2021, Steve and his wife Loree gifted $7.5 million to establish the Steve and Loree Potash Women & Newborn Center at the University Hospital Ahuja Medical Center. In addition to the named center, Steve and Loree’s gift launched an innovative literacy program called Baby’s First Books, ensuring families go home with their first collection of baby books to be read to the newborn. Prior to starting OverDrive, and while practicing law, Steve served as Special Counsel to the Ohio Attorney General, served as an acting Municipal Judge, and authored technology columns for the American Bar Association Journal. He was admitted to practice law before the United States Supreme Court in 2019. Steve has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from The Ohio State University and earned his J.D. at Cleveland State University College of Law. | |
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Dr. Kim Osman, Queensland University & co-author on the IFLA Trend Report "Community needs and AI literacy: research in progress" |
| Biographies: Dr Kim Osman is a Senior Research Associate at QUT’s Digital Media Research Centre and the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child. Her research focuses on improving the digital participation of families living on low incomes and other digitally excluded groups in Australia. She explores how community and social infrastructure like libraries can support parents and carers to develop digital media literacies and works with communities to develop evidence- and place-based responses to issues of digital inclusion. | |
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Director of Seoul Metropolitan Library, Ji Eun Oh "A New Strategy of Public Libraries in the Age of AI" |
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| Session 1 : Public libraries and AI implementations | |
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Bookan’s AI-powered Library Collaborative Service System Jason Sun, Director, Global Library Solutions, Hong Kong Magook Technology Limited (Bookan) |
| Biographies: Jason Sun serves as Global Solutions Director at Hong Kong Magook Technology Limited (Bookan). With over 30 years of extensive experience across IT research, development, and sales, he has been instrumental in designing and developing multiple library applications. A Peking University graduate, he is dedicated to delivering tailored digital and technical innovations to libraries worldwide. | |
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"From Library Data to Action: A Practical Hybrid AI Approach to Public Library Performance Monitoring — The Indonesian Case" Dr. Irhamni Ali, Lead Data Scientist, National Library of Indonesia |
| Biographies: Irhamni Ali is a Data Scientist at the National Library of Indonesia with over 20 years of experience in building and deploying machine learning systems at national scale. A Fulbright Scholar with a PhD in Information Science (Data Science concentration), he specializes in predictive modeling, NLP, large-scale data pipelines, and unsupervised learning. Irhamni has published research on national literacy programs and library analytics, and leads data-driven initiatives that inform policy and optimize library services across Indonesia. | |
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-AI adoption in the Municipal Library Network in the province of Barcelona with the collaboration of Barcelona Supercomputing Center. |
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| Session 2 : Public libraries and AI literacy | |
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"From Government to Communities: Delivering AI Literacy Through Public Libraries in Estonia" Kristi Veber, President of the Estonian Librarians Association |
| Biographies: Kristi Veeber is the President of the Estonian Librarians’ Association and a member of the Standing Committee of the IFLA Public Libraries Section. In her daily work as a Development Manager at Tallinn Libraries in Estonia, she focuses on improving library services, accessibility, and staff skills. Her goal is to make libraries more modern, open, and welcoming for everyone. She has taken part in many projects that support digital literacy and the development of e-services. She also promotes the importance of libraries as a key part of people’s well-being, strong communities, and a sustainable society. | |
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"Reading the Future: Public Libraries as a Civic Anchor in the AI Era" Ben Kolaitis, Library Programs and Partnerships Coordinator, City of Melbourne Libraries |
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"Exploring generative and conversational AI in the national library" Celonie Rozema, AI researcher, National Library of the Netherlands |
| Panel | TBA |
| Reception&tour | Seoul Metropolitan Library and Seoul Outdoor Library Tour with Reception |
 BUS |
A short walk from City Hall Station (Lines 1 & 2, Exit 5) or Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2, Exit 1-1). |
 METRO |
Seoul Plaza Bus Stop (Bus Routes 172, 405, 472) and City Hall Front Bus Stop (Bus Routes 401, 402, 406). |
We’re looking forward to exploring
the exciting possibilities of AI in public libraries together with you!
If you would like to participate in the satellite meeting,
please register through the link below.
(A small fee will be charged at the time of registration.
This fee will cover the cost of lunch provided to participants during the meeting.)
