OpenAthens invites proposals for Access Lab 2024

OpenAthens has announced that its 2024 online conference, Access Lab, will take place on 26 and 27 February 2024. Submissions for session proposals for the conference program are invited, with a deadline of Friday 3 November 2023. 

Access Lab is OpenAthens’ annual international conference where libraries, publishers and library users meet to discuss challenges facing the information industry and find solutions to problems. The conference explores industry developments, provides real life case studies and holds topical panel discussions where you get the chance to ask the questions. 

Are you a publisher or a librarian? Would you like the opportunity to discuss your challenges with your peers and find solutions that could make your life easier? 

You can submit proposals for plenary talks, panel debates, roundtable discussions and case studies. Some topics for this years’ conference include:

• Impact of climate change on library services 
• Impact of cost-of-living crisis on library budgets, doing more with less 
• AI/ machine learning  
• Browser changes 
• User experience and product UX 
• Open Access 
• Federated authentication/ seamless access 

Get inspired to speak at Access Lab 2024 by watching the 2023 Access Lab sessions and submit your proposal by Friday 3 November 2023 by completing the short online form.  

Access Lab generates interest globally. Two online events will run at different times to allow maximum participation from all around the world, with in-person regional forums to build connections, learn from your community and find practical takeaways. Dates and further information will be released soon. 

Access Lab provides a safe space to share learnings, discuss and debate. The conference also has a great reputation for panel debates, which previously covered topics such as: user privacy, user experience, the digital divide, the importance of data, and the impact of browser changes. Industry professionals will also share knowledge and highlight a variety of case studies from around the world.   

UX award 2024 

At the conference, Jane Charlton, senior marketing manager – community and content – will announce the winner of the OpenAthens 2024 UX award. Now in its fifth year, the UX award puts the spotlight on publishers and library service vendors that put users at the heart of their service design. All with the simple aim of providing easy access to content and services. Panel judges made the decision to expand next year’s award beyond publishers to library systems vendors, research and analytics tools, and other library products and services. Visit the award webpage for more information and to submit your application by 17 November 2023.