From 5 to 7 June, our section collaborated with the Library Publishing Special Interest Group (LIBPUB SIG), Academic and Research Libraries (ARL) section, and Science and Technology Libraries (SciTech) section to host an IFLA Division D Mid-term meeting in Istanbul, Turkey. The event took place at the Koç University ANAMED Auditorium, graciously hosted by Koç University Suna Kıraç Library.

The meeting was highly successful, attracting approximately eighty participants who engaged in discussions on the challenges and strategies for achieving global openness. Participants also explored the opportunities for libraries to bridge boundaries.

I extend my gratitude to Michael Levine-Clark (University of Denver) and Lidia Uziel (University of California, Santa Barbara), members of the Acquisition and Collection Development (ACD) Standing Committee and co-leads of the ACD Open Access Working Group, for their significant contributions to the event’s success. Special thanks go to Lidia for her informative presentation during one of the sessions.

I also want to thank Jane Buggle (Institute of Art, Design + Technology), LIBPUB SIG Convenor, for her presentations and for chairing a session at the event. Additionally, I appreciate the efforts of all session chairs: James O’Donnell and Mimi Calter from ARL, Carol Smith from SciTech, and each of whom chaired a session.

For more information, please visit the social media pages of the IFLA Academic & Research Libraries Section and Library Publishing (LIBPUB) Special Interest Group, and the conference page.

The slide decks of Lidia, Jane and other speakers are available on the conference page.

Lilly Hoi Sze Ho, Chair of Acquisition and Collection Development