About the XXVII SCECSAL Conference
Conference Dates & Key Deadlines
📅 Abstract Submission Deadline: 26 April 2025 📅 Notification of Acceptance: 30 June 2025 📅 Final Paper Submission: 31 October 2025 📅 Revised Paper Submission: 16 January 2026 📅 Presenter Registration Deadline: 27 February 2026 📅 Pre-Conference Workshops: 25-26 April 2026 📅 Main Conference Dates: 27 April – 1 May 2026 👉 Venue: Avani Victoria Falls Resort, Mosi-oa-Tunya Road, Livingstone, Zambia
Welcome to the XXVII SCECSAL Conference
The Standing Conference of Eastern, Central, and Southern African Library and Information Associations (SCECSAL) is the premier platform for library and information professionals across Africa to collaborate, share knowledge, and shape the future of the profession. The XXVII SCECSAL Conference will be held from 27 April to 1 May 2026 at the prestigious Avani Victoria Falls Resort in Livingstone, Zambia. Under the theme "African Libraries and Information Services at the New Crossroads," the 2026 conference will explore how African libraries can navigate the evolving challenges and opportunities of the digital age.
What is SCECSAL?
SCECSAL is a biennial conference that brings together library associations, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders from across Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa. Since its inception, SCECSAL has played a vital role in: ✅ Strengthening regional collaboration among library and information professionals. ✅ Advancing research and innovation in library and information services. ✅ Addressing emerging challenges affecting libraries in Africa. ✅ Influencing policy and advocating for better investment in libraries. Under the theme "African Libraries and Information Services at the New Crossroads," the 2026 conference will explore how African libraries can navigate the evolving challenges and opportunities of the digital age.
Theme: African Libraries and Information Services at the New Crossroads
The 21st century has brought both unprecedented challenges and groundbreaking opportunities for African libraries. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in digital infrastructure and service delivery, forcing libraries to rethink how they operate. Today, new challenges such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital exclusion, budget cuts, and evolving user needs require libraries to innovate and adapt. The XXVII SCECSAL Conference will address these pressing issues and focus on: 📌 Embracing technology to enhance service delivery. 📌 Advocating for equitable access to digital resources. 📌 Aligning library services with national, regional, and global development goals. 📌 Strengthening policy frameworks to ensure sustainable investment in library services. This conference will serve as a call to action for professionals to explore innovative models that will keep libraries relevant, inclusive, and future-ready.
Conference Objectives
The XXVII SCECSAL Conference fosters knowledge exchange, collaboration, and skills development while driving policy advocacy and innovation in library and information sciences.
Who Should Attend?
The XXVII SCECSAL Conference welcomes academics, library professionals, policymakers, tech innovators, and NGOs to exchange insights, explore trends, and drive digital transformation.
Call for Papers & Presentations
Submit original research, case studies, and innovations for the XXVII SCECSAL Conference. All papers undergo double-blind peer review via the CMT Submission Portal.
"The XXVII SCECSAL Conference 2026 is a must-attend event for anyone passionate about the future of libraries in Africa. Whether you're an academic, policymaker, or library professional, this is your opportunity to connect, learn, and inspire change in the field of library and information services."
David Williams
Our mission
The mission of the XXVII SCECSAL Conference is to advance library and information services in Africa by fostering knowledge exchange, professional development, collaboration, and innovation to support sustainable development and digital inclusion.
Conference Theme : African Libraries and Information Services at the New Crossroads
The rapid changes in technology, digital transformation, and socio-economic factors present both challenges and opportunities for libraries and information services. This conference will explore strategies to adapt to evolving user needs, emerging technologies, and policy developments, ensuring libraries remain relevant and accessible to all communities. The XXVII Standing Conference of Eastern, Central, and Southern African Library and Information Associations (SCECSAL) invites researchers, academics, library professionals, policymakers, and technology innovators to submit original and unpublished papers and presentations for the 2026 conference. This is an opportunity to share groundbreaking research, best practices, and innovative models that contribute to the advancement of library and information services in Africa.