George Jerish Choothamparambil Joseph, Assistant Librarian, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Attending LILAC 2025 was an extraordinary journey in my professional development.
“As an early career professional with an international background, I have always been fascinated by opportunities to learn, network and understand the evolving culture of library and information science in the UK.”
LILAC, renowned for its focus on information literacy, was the perfect platform to immerse myself in these experiences. My journey began with the submission of an abstract to present a poster on the International Book Collection initiative recently launched at Knowledge and Library Services, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust. Although my submission was not accepted due to insufficient evidence, the feedback provided invaluable insights – I realised the importance of strengthening the evidence and the quality of my future submissions. This learning experience deepened my interest to engage more actively with the professional community.
Despite the setback, I applied for the LILAC bursary offered by the committee but was unsuccessful. However, persistence paid off when I received a bursary from CILIP Health Libraries Group, with additional support from the CILIP East Midlands Group for travel and accommodation. This support enabled me to attend the conference and fully participate in its engaging programs. Attending LILAC was a privilege. Meeting experts in information literacy and engaging with professionals from around the world was inspiring. The keynote sessions were exceptional, particularly Jane Secker’s presentation, which stood out for its creativity and engaging delivery – her use of a music playlist added a unique and memorable dimension to her session.
The parallel sessions were diverse and thought-provoking, making it difficult to choose which to attend. I was especially impressed by three sessions:
- Inside the Artificial Pharmakon: Observations from an Academic Librarian engaging with generative AI through the lens of information literacy
- This session offered fascinating insights into generative AI through the lens of information literacy, highlighting both opportunities and challenges. It explored the opportunity to develop and the obstacles to learn through impressive activities, which facilitated me to analyse the Generative AI tools effectively.
- UX for Information Literacy: The use of diaries to explore information-seeking behaviour
- The presenters’ creative approach to user testing during the session was remarkable and offered valuable insights for improving library website design. Moreover, the session highlighted the value of user testing for library websites, which are often the first point of contact for users.
- Teaching Information Literacy: Developing and Assessing a Professional Development Certificate for Librarians
- The session on developing and assessing a Professional Development Certificate for Librarians at Ohio State University showcased a highly supportive initiative, open even to non-members. I have since enrolled in this certification program and look forward to starting soon.
Networking with professionals from diverse backgrounds and sharing experiences on different library environments were the highlights of the event. The exchange of ideas and best practices was both enriching and motivating. LILAC 2025 was an invaluable experience that has inspired me to continue contributing to the field. I am determined to revise and improve my abstract on the International Book Collection project and look forward to sharing my work at future conferences.
Health Libraries Group 