Discover how modern repositories are evolving beyond storage into intelligent, integrated research ecosystems. During LIBER 2026, the PCG Academia team invites conference participants to a dedicated series of short expert sessions, live demos, and interactive discussions in Room R20.

Across three days, we will explore the future of DSpace, repository strategy, AI-powered services, CRIS integration, accessibility, workflow automation, and modern user experience design. The programme combines practical implementation insights with strategic perspectives drawn from real projects delivered for universities and research institutions across Europe.

Join us for lightning talks, live demonstrations, client conversations, and open-format roundtables focused on the real challenges facing repositories today — and the technologies shaping their future.

Where?

Room R20 — throughout the entire LIBER 2026 conference.

Who should attend?

Repository managers, librarians, open science teams, IT specialists, research office professionals, and everyone interested in the future of scholarly infrastructure.

Explore the full session agenda below and meet the PCG Academia team during LIBER 2026.

Day 1 (Wednesday, 1 July 2026)

10:45-11:00 – Opening Session
The Great Repository Census – See the Live Results and Win Prizes
A live community benchmarking session in which participants answer a short survey about their repository – platform, team size, key challenges, and current priorities – with aggregated results displayed in real time, revealing how the room compares across institutions, regions, and implementation stages. Raffle for every participant.

13:00-13:30 – Lunch Session
The State of the European Repository: Trends, Gaps, and What Comes Next A thought-leadership session exploring current trends in repository development, drawing on insights from European implementations, the DSpace community, OpenAIRE-related developments, and broader sector observations.

15:40-16:00 – Lightning Talk
AI in the Repository: Hype vs. What Actually Works
A practical session separating realistic AI use cases from common misconceptions, with examples related to metadata, accessibility, search, and responsible implementation.

Day 2 (Thursday, 2 July 2026)

10:40-11:00 – Live Demo
From Funding Call to Research Output: The Research Project Workflow, End-to-End
A live demonstration of an end-to-end process that takes a research project from the moment a funding opportunity appears, through approvals and execution, to final reporting.

13:00-13:30 – Lunch Session
Open Access, Closed to Bots: Managing Repository Infrastructure in the Age of AI Crawlers
Practical information on how to manage repository infrastructure in the age of AI crawlers. Presentation of an AI-assisted analyzer that reads your access logs, profiles each IP’s behavior, and separates abusive bots from legitimate machine users.

15:40-16:00 – Lightning Talk
Automated Harvesting: The Self-Filling Repository
Presentation on how automated harvesting of external databases can fills your repository, with minimal or even no input from the end users.

Day 3 (Friday, 3 July 2026)

10:40-11:00 – Lightning Talk
ZORA case study and launch of a new repository SaaS solution
Presentation of the case study of repository implementation at the University of Zurich and first demonstration of a new DSpace based SaaS repository solution.