The IEU Library team joined the 3rd International Conference on Economics and Business Information (INCONECSS), on May 13–14, to exchange ideas with colleagues from across Europe and beyond. The event, organised by ZBW – Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, brought together librarians, data specialists, and researchers to explore how information professionals can better support open and reproducible research.

With topics ranging from AI integration in libraries to research data management and skills training, this year’s programme was about embracing change and thinking ahead. One of the most engaging sessions focused on how libraries can support the development of researchers’ digital and data literacy—a key challenge in the current landscape. Another standout was the lightning talk series, offering quick dives into innovative services like open access dashboards, support for systematic reviews, and tools for navigating the research software jungle.

For the IEU Library, it was a chance to learn how others are addressing common challenges: supporting researchers in using persistent identifiers, adapting to new publishing models, and designing training that meet users’ needs. It was also an opportunity to reflect on our services and get inspired by how institutions are experimenting with co-creation, gamification, and community-driven approaches.

This year’s INCONECSS made one thing clear: the role of academic libraries is evolving fast, and collaboration is more important than ever. Whether it’s through shared tools, open infrastructures, or simply learning from each other, staying connected is key to navigating the changes ahead.