Reflections on the 14th International Congress on Medical Librarianship – #ICML2026Glasgow July 2026

I submitted an abstract to present at the 14^th International Congress on Medical Librarianship on the theme Equity, equality, disparities, to showcase the impact of our profession on health inequalities in Lancashire. I hoped to do the work justice and was delighted to be invited to speak.

The next challenge was funding it, which was greatly achieved by a bursary from the NHSEngland KLS national team.

I have come away from the event with so much learning, many ideas, connections, and umpteen photos of presentations to revisit, e.g.:

AI Needs a Librarian

Taylor Moore, Centre for Effective Practice Canada 

Inclusive and engaging tailored marketing works

Gloucester Hospitals NHS FT                 NHS Ayrshire & Arran

Our information literacy and KM skills make an impact on health inequalities

I also have some takeaways due to the polls in my own presentation. Attendees found much of the content resonated with them; especially that through partnership working, shining a light on our skills, and working strategically we can make a real difference to health inequalities.

Here is an accurate CoPilot theme digest from my session notes:

1. AI Literacy, Governance and Responsible Use

A dominant theme across multiple sessions.

Key issues:

• AI literacy as a core librarian competency.
• Teaching critical evaluation rather than specific technologies.
• Ethical use of AI in healthcare and research.
• Managing bias, hallucinations and transparency.
• Copyright, intellectual property and AI bot scraping.
• Librarians as trusted advisors and “arbiters of reality” in the AI age.

Examples from notes:

• Surrey & Sussex Healthcare: AI Literacy training.
• Centre for Effective Practice: “AI Needs a Librarian.”
• Lancaster University: Prompt engineering for systematic reviews.
• MaineHealth: Open access AI bot scraping and cognitive surrender.

2. Knowledge and Library Services as Strategic Partners

Many presentations positioned library and knowledge professionals as contributors to organisational priorities rather than support services.

Key issues:

• Demonstrating value and impact.
• Embedding knowledge management into organisational structures.
• Supporting evidence-based decision making.
• Contributing to workforce development and innovation.

Examples:

• Public Services Delivery Scotland’s KM journey.
• Embedded librarian model at Pennsylvania Hospital.
• Librarian involvement in Magnet accreditation programmes.
• Library leadership in AI implementation discussions.

3. Health Literacy and Reducing Inequalities

A major equity-focused theme.

Key issues:

• Improving access to understandable health information.
• Supporting underserved and disadvantaged communities.
• Empowering community organisations and public libraries.
• Making health information inclusive and accessible.

Examples:

• NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde health literacy training.
• Reading Well/”Books on Prescription”.
• Gloucestershire’s targeted health literacy programmes.
• Community signposting through public libraries.

4. Libraries as Community Health Partners

Libraries were repeatedly presented as part of wider health and wellbeing systems.

Key issues:

• Partnership working across sectors.
• Public libraries as trusted community spaces.
• Supporting prevention and self-management.
• Extending reach beyond healthcare settings.

Examples:

• CILIPS: Connecting Communities for a Healthier Scotland.
• Reading Agency programmes.
• Public library health literacy initiatives.
• Future links with food banks, charities and community groups.

5. Evidence, Evaluation and Demonstrating Impact

A recurring message was the importance of evidencing outcomes.

Key issues:

• Measuring confidence and behaviour change.
• Demonstrating return on investment.
• Showing organisational value.
• Using data and evaluation to sustain services.

Examples:

• PSD Scotland focus on evidencing value.
• AI literacy programme confidence measures.
• Gloucestershire’s reported practice changes (67%).
• Embedded librarian impact on education and professional practice.

6. Innovation Through Collaboration and Engagement

Innovation was often people-focused rather than technology-focused.

Key issues:

• Building networks.
• Creating opportunities for knowledge exchange.
• Testing new approaches.
• Supporting professional connections.

Examples:

• Transatlantic Randomised Coffee Trial.
• Journal clubs and evidence discussions.
• Embedded librarian models.
• Knowledge-sharing initiatives across organisations.

7. Education, Teaching and Workforce Development

Libraries are increasingly acting as educators.

Key issues:

• Facilitation and teaching skills.
• Digital and AI literacy.
• Staff capability building.
• Professional development.

Examples:

• AI literacy training.
• Health literacy training.
• Systematic review support.
• New doctor induction resources (AskTRIP).

8. Trust, Critical Appraisal and Information Quality

Perhaps the strongest professional identity theme.

Key issues:

• Evaluating evidence.
• Maintaining scholarly integrity.
• Supporting informed decision making.
• Combating misinformation and overreliance on AI.

Examples:

• Critical evaluation of AI outputs.
• Ethical concerns around bot scraping.
• Evidence-based practice support.
• Traceability and citation of sources.

Possible overarching conference message

“Medical librarians are evolving from information providers to strategic knowledge leaders, supporting equitable access to information, responsible AI adoption, evidence-based practice, and healthier communities through education, partnership and critical evaluation.”

Siobhan Corrin, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals