This year, the IGeLU 2024 conference brought together over 600 attendees from around the globe to share knowledge, celebrate achievements, and explore the future of library technology. Held in the stunning city of Copenhagen, the event was a showcase of groundbreaking innovations, insightful sessions, and engaging discussions centered around the theme: Beyond Limits and Differences: Data, Hidden Treasures, and Mermaids.
Welcoming Familiar Faces and New Friends
The conference began with a warm welcome to Copenhagen, where both familiar faces and new members of the Ex Libris community gathered. The energy was palpable as attendees collected their registration packets and shared their excitement for the week ahead. From the opening keynote to informal meetups, IGeLU 2024 was filled with moments of connection and collaboration.
Innovative Sessions and more
The week was packed with sessions that showcased cutting-edge technologies and future-forward solutions. A major highlight of IGeLU 2024 was the announcement that the Primo Research Assistant is now available to all Primo institutions. Already activated by 500 customers, Primo Research Assistant is set to redefine discovery in academic libraries.
Equally significant was the introduction of Specto™, an AI-powered digital asset management solution. Original cataloging of digital collections has traditionally been a labor-intensive process, but Specto changes this by equipping staff with a GenAI Metadata Assistant that speeds up metadata creation. This allows librarians to focus on sharing their collections’ stories and create immersive user discovery journeys. The “Introducing Specto” session drew significant attention, with 100 people attending, highlighting the growing interest in AI solutions within the library community.
Everything we develop, we’re doing with the community. This is the idea behind our Library Open Platform. As part of the platform, we developed Open Workflows, that empower libraries by giving them the capabilities to easily develop new workflows, without any development knowledge. Its transformative potential was one of the biggest topics covered during the event and a central theme throughout IGeLU 2024.
Looking Ahead: IGeLU 2025 in Siena
As the week concluded, we reflected on the unforgettable moments shared with our community in Copenhagen. We extend a special thanks to the Royal Danish Library for hosting such a fantastic event and creating a perfect environment for learning and collaboration.
Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that IGeLU 2025 will take place in Siena, Italy. Mark your calendars for mid-September 2025, when we will gather once again for the 20th anniversary of IGeLU, continuing our journey of innovation, discovery, and partnership.
Thank you to everyone who made IGeLU 2024 a success. We can’t wait to see you in Siena!
