With New Competition, IFLA Is Looking For the Next Masters of Library Science…Fiction

Why It Matters

The initiative sparks creative foresight among library professionals, reinforcing innovation and public relevance ahead of IFLA’s 100‑year milestone.

Key Takeaways

• IFLA opens Li‑Sci‑Fi contest for librarians
• Two categories: flash (≤1,000) and standard (1,001‑2,500) words
• Deadline September 1 2026; submissions via email PDF/Word
• Mary Robinette Kowal judges; prizes include €500 or conference registration
• Stories evaluated on insight, writing, originality; AI use limited

Pulse Analysis

The International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) is marking its upcoming 100‑year milestone with an unconventional outreach: the Li‑Sci‑Fi short‑story competition. By inviting librarians to craft speculative narratives, IFLA taps into the tradition of science‑fiction as a laboratory for future‑thinking. The contest, announced on March 2, offers flash (up to 1,000 words) and standard (1,001‑2,500 words) categories, with a September 1 deadline. Celebrity author Mary Robinette Kowal will select the winner, who can claim a €500 cash prize, a membership subsidy, or free registration to the 2027 World Library and Information Congress in London.

Speculative storytelling has long informed technology roadmaps and public‑policy debates, from early cyber‑punk visions of digital archives to recent AI‑driven cataloguing scenarios. By framing library challenges as narrative problems, the competition encourages participants to explore emerging competencies—data ethics, algorithmic literacy, and multimodal curation—while preserving core values of access and intellectual freedom. IFLA’s guidelines explicitly limit AI to translation and minor editing, reinforcing the need for human imagination in envisioning how libraries will mediate information in an increasingly automated world.

The ripple effects extend beyond the contest itself. Published finalists will be showcased on IFLA’s website, providing peer‑reviewed thought leadership that can inspire curricula in library science programs and inform strategic planning at institutions worldwide. Moreover, the public‑facing format raises awareness of the profession’s forward‑looking agenda, attracting new talent and potential funders. As libraries grapple with budget constraints, digital transformation, and societal expectations, the Li‑Sci‑Fi initiative positions the sector as a proactive, creative force shaping the knowledge infrastructure of the next century.