The National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, Prof. Chinwe Veronica Anunobi, has played a prominent leadership role at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Conference of Directors of National Libraries (CDNL), held in Busan, Republic of Korea, on the sidelines of the 2026 IFLA World Library and Information Congress.
Prof. Anunobi, who serves as 1st Vice Chair of CDNL, actively participated in the coordination of the meeting and facilitated high-level discussions among directors of national libraries from more than 40 countries.
The meeting focused on the theme, “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of National Libraries,” bringing into sharp focus the opportunities, responsibilities and challenges presented by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence in the information and knowledge ecosystem.
Setting the tone for the deliberations, Professor Sung-Hyon Myaeng, Professor Emeritus at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), examined the evolving role of libraries as guardians of trust in the age of artificial intelligence.
He challenged national library leaders to reaffirm and strengthen six core library values that should guide the profession over the next decade, particularly as societies grapple with the growing volume and complexity of AI-generated information.
Also addressing the gathering, Professor Marek Kowalkiewicz of Queensland University of Technology explored the emergence of agentic artificial intelligence—systems capable of acting autonomously, performing tasks and pursuing defined goals—and examined the implications of these technologies for libraries and information institutions globally.
The presentations provided the basis for wide-ranging discussions among the participating national library directors on the future of information, knowledge preservation and the evolving responsibilities of national libraries in an AI-driven world.
CDNL Advances Busan Declaration
The deliberations culminated in discussions on the proposed Busan Declaration, initiated by the National Library of Korea, aimed at articulating a collective commitment by national libraries to building a trustworthy information environment.
Following the discussions, CDNL agreed to establish a working group to review the draft declaration and incorporate additional observations, comments and recommendations from member libraries before its further consideration.
A major outcome of the meeting was the reaffirmation of the distinctive and enduring mandate of national libraries in an increasingly AI-driven information landscape.
Participants noted that although artificial intelligence can generate, modify and disseminate information on an unprecedented scale, the responsibility of national libraries to preserve authentic, verifiable and contextualised records has become more critical than ever.
They also recognised the enormous potential of AI to expand access to knowledge, enhance library services, support research and facilitate greater access to documentary and cultural heritage.
However, delegates stressed that building a trustworthy information environment is a collective responsibility that cannot be achieved by any single institution or country.
They therefore called for strengthened international cooperation among national libraries in areas including standards, data, technological expertise, professional knowledge and the exchange of experiences and best practices.
Such cooperation, they emphasised, must continue to uphold intellectual freedom while protecting cultural and linguistic diversity, which remain fundamental values of the global library community.
Strengthening Global Library Cooperation
The meeting attracted key figures from the international library community, including IFLA President, Leslie Weir, and IFLA Secretary General, Sharon Memis, FRSA, who joined national library directors in the high-level conversations.
Alison Dellit, Taner Beyoğlu, and Jerremy Silver, the Directors of the National Library of Australia, National Library of Türkiye and the British Library respectively, also delivered presentations, offering perspectives on the changing role of national libraries in the digital and AI era, with Silver announcing the readiness of the British Library to host the 2027 CDNL Annual Meeting, providing an opportunity for continued global dialogue and cooperation among national library leaders.
At the end of the meeting, Prof. Anunobi praised Professor Young-Joon Nam the Director of the National Library of Korea for the hosting the meeting, his warm hospitality and support in hosting the gathering. She also expressed appreciation to the CDNL Chair, Dr. Tomasz Makowski; fellow Vice Chair, Taner Beyoğlu; and CDNL Secretary, Julia Konopka-Żolnierczuk, for their support and collaboration in organising the meeting.
The Conference of Directors of National Libraries (CDNL) is the global forum for directors of national libraries. It provides a platform for cooperation, policy dialogue and professional exchange on issues affecting national libraries and the communities they serve.