Libfocus Link-out for February 2026

Welcome to the February edition of the Libfocus link-out, an assemblage of library-related things we have found informative, educational, thought-provoking and insightful on the Web over the past while. 

Images featured in this month's link-out articles

Why libraries still matter in a digital world.
Antonio La Cava, Italy's smallest library and how it is helping those who need it most.

Library sustainability action plan 2026 launched.
Trinity College Library launches a sustainability action plan focusing on six key areas.

Academic libraries cannot afford to carry on with transformative agreements.
Caroline Edwards highlights on the LSE Impact Blog that in a time when libraries need to find savings they ought to look at journal packages provided by the “big five” commercial publishers and divest funds into Diamond Open Access models and platforms.

University journal publishers – global, messy and underestimated.
Maryna Nazarovets, Mikael Laakso and Zehra Taşkın argue on the LSE Impact Blog that universities are a structurally significant part of the journal publishing landscape, whose role is systematically underestimated because publishing is decentralised, unevenly documented and often weakly supported by the institution itself.

The hidden costs for your brain from using ChatGPT.
David Mcgovern and Olive Brady look at the impact of LLMs like ChatGPT on human cognition in this RTE Brainstorm article. They have the capacity to expand our reach to information and make our work more efficient, but only if we learn to use them wisely.

The peer review system is breaking down. Here’s how we can fix it.
In Joshua Hoehne's article for The Conversation he explains why the peer review system is in crisis. This crisis threatens the viability of journals, particularly local or independent journals not owned by big publishers. He proposes solutions that address the issues arising from a voluntary system has been taken for granted too long.

Protecting what remains: Introducing the UVA Archival AI Protocol.
University of Virginia introduce their Archival AI Protocol document, that serves as a practical approach for evaluating AI requests involving cultural heritage collection.

‘The goal has been to demystify’: how a colonial Nairobi library was restored and given back to the people.
Diego Menjíbar Reynés speaks to Book Bunk, a project which has restored and transformed three Nairobi libraries for the use of their communities, including the grand McMillan Memorial Library, once a whites-only enclave.

What Do We Know About GenAI?
Ned Potter provides an overview of current research and evidence on generative AI, outlining documented limitations, risks, and open questions around its use in education and the workplace.

The State of Librarian Mental Health.
A report-based article by Kelly Jensen examining survey findings on librarian wellbeing, including workload pressures, burnout, workplace conditions, and the structural factors affecting staff morale.

Guest Post — Diamond Open Access Needs Institutions, Not Heroes.
Curt Rice contemplates on the state of diamond open access, urging [institutional] stakeholders to invest in diamond OA as an achievable infrastructure rather than simply perceiving it as an act of heroic individual effort.

Books and Screens.
Carlo Iacono convincingly argues that our "inability to focus isn’t a failing. It’s a design problem, and the answer isn’t getting rid of our screen time".

The Power of Connection; Conversation Cafe

Guest Post by Michelle O'Donovan. Michelle is a Library Assistant with the Client Services Team at UCC Library

Last summer, UCC Library began hosting Conversation Cafes. Conversation Cafes or sometimes called Conversation Clubs are in person events that are gaining popularity as a way of building social connections in a world that can sometimes feel disconnected.   Normally held in public places like coffee shops or bookstores, the aim is to provide a comfortable and relaxed space for people to engage in conversation.  

I know what you're thinking, ‘But aren't libraries quiet spaces where chatting is normally shushed!’  And while UCC Library will always provide silent spaces that are ideal for study, we also have spaces designed to encourage collaboration and connection. The Creative Zone located on the ground floor is a perfect example of such a space. The open plan layout, soft furnishings and large windows all work together to create a welcoming environment. 

The first Conversation Cafe took place at the start of June. June is also when UCC welcomes a whole host of international students onto campus. Although the Conversation Cafe was open to all UCC staff and students, we reached out particularly to these visiting students. We also invited students from nearby English Language Schools. The idea was to create an opportunity for them to practice speaking English in a fun and easy-going environment and potentially make new friends while away from home. 

On the day we extended a very warm welcome to everyone who arrived, and in keeping with the cafe theme, everyone was offered a cup of tea or coffee. Alex, the Library's Student Engagement Intern, then gave a brief outline of how the event would go, using slides displayed on the Creatives Zones large screen. The attendees were split into groups; a topic was displayed on the screen, and everyone got a few minutes to talk on that topic. The event lasted an hour, and although we had prepared 5 topics, it soon became apparent that one or two topics were enough to break the ice. Soon, conversations around the tables began to flow naturally.  

A QR code was shared with all attendees to gather feedback. Based on the responses, it's safe to say our cafe was a success! A recurring theme in the feedback was how much everyone appreciated face-to-face interaction, away from their screens. Three attendees who met each other on the day ended up sharing student accommodation together. And some students from the English Language Schools have applied to study UCC courses next year. 

This first cafe attracted 11 attendees from all over the world including China, Mumbai and Spain. We even had some native English speakers who just fancied a coffee and a chat. We were delighted when this grew to over 40 attendees for our second cafe.  

Our summer cafes were aimed at international students; we have since held cafes for new students, as part of our outreach activities, at the start of the new semester. The aim was to help them get familiar with the library and make new connections with fellow first years. At some point we may offer the space to PHD students to provide networking opportunities or just simply discuss the trials and tribulations of writing a thesis.  

We started Conversation Cafes with the goal of welcoming international students into the library. Our main focus was to use the library space in a way that would bring meaningful wellbeing benefits through connection. Secondly, the library also benefited by increasing community engagement while at the same time promoting the different spaces and services available.  If you are looking for ways to encourage people to visit your library, why not consider hosting a Conversation Cafe. It's easy to replicate, and the possibilities are truly endless. Just tailor the conversation topics to whoever you are inviting and remember to keep it light and fun! 

 

 

Facilitators 

• Alfie Davis (Student Engagement and Employment Coordinator)
• Alex Moloney (Student Engagement Intern)
• Michelle O Donovan (Library Assistant)