ELIAS Meeting 2026 - Reimagining Africa

Libraries and archives within the European Libraries in African Studies (ELIAS) network hold rich and diverse collections that are essential to African Studies research worldwide. Yet many of these materials—print, archival, audiovisual, and digital—remain underused due to challenges related to discoverability, access, description, and outreach. 

 

The one-day ELIAS meeting aims to bring together librarians, archivists, and information professionals to exchange practical approaches to improving the visibility, accessibility, and active use of African Studies collections. 

 

By sharing concrete case studies from ELIAS institutions and beyond, the meeting will strengthen professional collaboration and help participants translate shared challenges into actionable solutions. 

The aim is to:

• Share practical methods for improving access to African Studies collections
• Explore ways to enhance discoverability through metadata, cataloguing, and digital platforms
• Discuss user-centred approaches to collection development and services
• Highlight successful digitisation and outreach projects
• Strengthen collaboration and knowledge exchange within the ELIAS network

Participation is aimed at ELIAS members, but is also open to people who would like to get to know the network or get involved. You can register by sending an email to: asclibrary@asc.leidenuniv.nl.

A registration fee of EUR 50 will be charged on site. The conference is in person, but should you be unable to come, kindly inquire after the hybrid option.

 

Preliminary Programme (PDF)

 

For inquiries about the ELIAS Network contact: Sophia Thubauville (Thubauville@em.uni-frankfurt.de)

For inquiries about the ELIAS Meeting contact: Liesbeth Kanis (l.n.kanis@asc.leidenuniv.nl).