25
Fiesole
Retreat
What is the likely shape of the library of the Future?
And how do we build collections for it?

Fiesole Collection Development Retreat Series

Fiesole
2025
Learning from the Past, Informing the Future
April 7-9, 2025

April 7-9, 2025

Fiesole, Italy

Together with the EUI and CLIR, we will meet in Fiesole to build upon our foundations and move towards the next 25 years of collaboration.

Preliminary Programme

Monday, April 7

 EUI Badia Fiesolana, Via della Badia dei Roccettini, 9, 50014 Fiesole FI

10:00 - 12:30
Pre-conference
AI and Libraries – Innovating for the Future
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being adopted in libraries, offering innovative solutions to streamline routine tasks, address challenges, and improve services. This panel aims to provide a platform for sharing experiences and practical applications of AI in libraries, with insights from professionals at the forefront of this transformative technology. The panel will focus on five case studies demonstrating the practical applications of AI in libraries, specifically in the areas of information literacy, copyright, space management, and cataloging.
  • Convener

    Pep Torn-Poch
    Library Director, European University Institute Library, Fiesole, Italy
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch
13:30 - 13:35
Welcome and introduction
13:35 - 13:50
Opening from the EUI
  • Patrizia Nanz
    President, European University Institute Library, Fiesole, Italy
13:50 - 14:10
A Personal History of the Fiesole Retreats, 1999 - 2024
  • Michael Keller
    Vice Provost and University Librarian, Director of Academic Information Resources, Stanford University, USA
14:10 - 14:30
Keynote
  • Richard Gallagher
    President & Editor-in-Chief, Annual Reviews; Publisher, Knowable Magazine, USA
14:30 - 17:00
Session 1
Biodiversity at the Margins: Spaces of Innovation in Scholarly Communication
In ecology, it is well recognized that most biodiversity occurs at the margins of ecological zones - where one zone (e.g., a forest) meets another (e.g., a meadow). This insight feels particularly relevant to Fiesole, where publishers, vendors, librarians, and scholars can talk and create together on common ground. In this session, we’ll explore some areas of productive tension (“ecotones”) where opportunities for innovation in our work may be most potent. The first half of the session will focus on the sometimes contested intersection between “institutions” and “communities” at a moment when engaged scholarship is at the heart of most university strategic plans, but many communities feel alienated. The second half of the session will explore the relationship between “content” and “platforms” when a proliferation of custom publishing platforms is jarring with library needs for consistent workflows and predictable user experiences. Join expert speakers to explore these scholarly communication “ecotones” and collaborate to discover the innovation possibilities that they offer.
  • Convener

    Charles Watkinson
    Director, University of Michigan Press, USA
18:00 - 21:00
Evening reception at Villa la Torrossa

Tuesday, April 8

 EUI Badia Fiesolana, Via della Badia dei Roccettini, 9, 50014 Fiesole FI

09:00 - 12:30
Session 2
Through the Lens of the Humanities
"The humanities" are always in a constant state of reinvention, deconstruction, and crisis. The digital revolution, large upheavals in the global sociopolitical landscape, and too many news stories about universities cutting back, closing down, and "rightsizing" their humanities programs have all made the last quarter-century memorably distracting. What are the humanities today and who are they for? Speakers in this session will draw lessons from this recent past and point to strategies promising success for the decades to come.
  • Convener

    Ann Okerson
    Director, Offline Internet Consortium, USA
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch
13:30 - 15:00
Session 3 (Part 1)
The Broad Topic of Metrics: Examining Two Aspects. Measurement and Monitoring in the Digital Age, Lessons Learned and Perspectives
Over the last two decades, measurement and monitoring activities have gradually taken on a central role in higher education and research, as well as in publishing. Indeed, the advent of the digital age has created opportunities to use indicators and decision-making tools to help university management to steer their institution and to help publishers to design services tailored to the needs of their customers and users. This development has been fostered by the creation of the first ranking initiatives (e.g. ARWU by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2003, followed by many others), which have led to growing efforts by academic institutions and publishers to deal with the consequences of a (criticised) ranking-driven context in higher education and research. More recently, Artificial Intelligence has brought new perspectives and opened a new phase in the development of measurement and monitoring activities, challenges and issues for institutions and publishers.
  • Convener

    Julien Roche
    University Librarian and Director of the Libraries, University Lille, France; LIBER President
15:00 - 15:30
Coffee Break
15:30 - 17:00
Session 3 (Part 2)
The Broad Topic of Metrics: Examining Two Aspects. The Perverse Arithmetic of Prestige
  • Convener

    Charles Henry
    President CLIR, USA
19:00 - 22:00
Conference dinner at Hotel Baglioni

Wednesday, April 9

 EUI Villa Salviati, Via Bolognese, 156, 50139 Firenze FI

09:00 - 09:30
Keynote
  • Buhle Mbambo-Thata
    University Librarian at National University of Lesotho, Lesotho
    Inclusivity in knowledge development: a strategic imperative
09:30 - 12:30
Session 4
Equitable Partnerships for an Equitable World of Knowledge
As the challenges of scholarly communication accelerate and upscale to find solutions to the big global research issues, it is time to move on from the stage of wishful thinking that we should collaborate to the stage of actually working together. Partnerships are everywhere, not only between libraries, initiatives, associations, countries and so on, but also among sectors, such as libraries and publishers. However, not all partnerships are formed equal and allow equitable participation. In this session of the Fiesole Retreat 2025, we will look deep at initiatives that aim to create a better environment for collaboration and avoid the past mistakes that preserve or even increase inequalities. We will also look at how the library and publishing worlds support the research communities when they collaborate, i.e. how does the knowledge grid underneath the researchers work? The expected outcome is to understand some of the principles, attitudes and practices that are required to build the context of balanced participation and beneficial partnership for all.
  • Convener

    Giannis Tsakonas
    Director, Library & Information Centre, University of Patras, Greece
12:30 - 13:00
Closing Remarks
  • David Worlock
    Chief Research Fellow, Outsell, United Kingdom
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch

Learning from the Past, Informing the Future

Celebrating 25 Years and Looking Forward

Over the last 25 years the scholarly communication sector has risen to the challenges set by rapidly changing times and technology, trends and expectations. This anniversary Retreat presents the opportunity to reflect on the journey so far, review the questions raised over the years and revisit major themes in order to respond to the priorities facing us today and to prepare for tomorrow. Join us in Fiesole as we look to the coming 25 years and, in a climate of dialogue, participation and partnership together with representatives from across the sector, contribute to identifying shared strategies to pave the way for a sustainable, multifarious and equitable future in the ever-changing landscape of higher education, working towards more widespread, open and inclusive access to cultural heritage and knowledge.

Host 2025

EUI (European University Institute) is the leading institute in Europe dedicated to social sciences and humanities. Founded in 1972 by the six original members of the then European Communities, the EUI connects academic excellence and research capabilities across Europe and to the world of policy and practice, for the betterment of society.

CLIR (Council on Library and Information Resources) champions a world in which information and cultural heritage are preserved, accessible, useful to - and reflective of - all people, cultivating partnerships with an international network of libraries, archives, museums, governmental organizations, nonprofits, and educational institutions to create and preserve a commonwealth of knowledge.

Committee

Programme

  • Gracian Chimwaza - Executive Director ITOCA, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Michael Levine-Clark - Dean of the University of Denver Libraries, Colorado, USA
  • Charles Henry - President CLIR, USA
  • Buhle Mbambo-Thata - University Librarian at National University of Lesotho, Lesotho
  • Ann Okerson - Director, Offline Internet Consortium, USA
  • Stephen Rhind-Tutt - President at Coherent Digital, USA; CLIR Board member
  • Julien Roche - University Librarian and Director of the Libraries, University Lille, France; LIBER President
  • Cécile Swiatek Cassafieres - LIBER board member; University Librarian - Université Paris Nanterre, Paris, France
  • Pep Torn - Library Director, European University Institute Library, Fiesole, Italy
  • Giannis Tsakonas - Director, Library & Information Centre, University of Patras, Greece
  • Charles Watkinson - Director, University of Michigan Press, USA

Co-founders

  • Barbara and Michele Casalini - Casalini Libri, Italy
  • Rebecca Lenzini - Charleston Hub, USA
  • Katina Strauch - Charleston Hub, USA

Organization

  • Antonio Cordola - Casalini Libri, Italy
  • Leah Hinds - Charleston Hub, USA
  • Giulia Scarpelli - Casalini Libri, Italy

Participate

Registration

Registration is now open. Register here.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Grand Hotel Baglioni

Located in the heart of Florence, the Grand Hotel Baglioni is housed in a magnificent 19th-century building, in which past and present coexist in perfect harmony. The warm and welcoming atmosphere and high level of service make it one of the most famous and renowned hotels in Florence.

The Grand Hotel Baglioni will also be the location for our Conference Dinner on Tuesday 8th April.


The Grand Hotel Baglioni offers a special rate for Fiesole Retreat delegates, with prices set at:

  • €261 (single use) 
  • €291 (double room)

for bookings made before 6th March 2025.

To take advantage of this offer, you can book directly through this link, or using the Group Attendee code FR2025 on the hotel's website.

Hotel Palazzo Castri

Palazzo Castri 1874 is a sophisticated boutique hotel in the heart of Florence, charming and delightful down to the last detail.
“La Limonaia” is the hidden garden at Palazzo Castri 1874 – a peaceful and relaxing oasis where you can rest and regenerate.

The Hotel Palazzo Castri offers a special rate to Fiesole Retreat delegates on bookings between 7th to 9th April 2025 made before 2nd January 2025.

To take advantage of this offer, you can book directly through this link, using the code CAMP-FIESOLE.

NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa

With its 13th Century tower and marvellous frescos, the five-star NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa – thought to be the oldest hotel in Italy – is truly extraordinary.

The 'Locanda Porta Rossa' is mentioned in a letter dating back to 1386, and a new building was constructed on the spot in the 16th century, incorporating the 13th-century tower.

The Torrigiani family owned the building from 1559 and lived there for over two centuries renting it to hoteliers in the first half of the 19th century.

Hotel Orto dei Medici

Hotel Orto de' Medici is located in Via San Gallo, in the historic centre of Florence, and the site in which Lorenzo de' Medici's established a school of art and sculpture. It is said to be in the Florence garden of Orto de' Medici, in 1489, that Lorenzo de' Medici met the exceptionally gifted young sculptor, Michelangelo Buonarroti. The Hotel, with its charming wooden floor and the original frescoes, still keeps that magic atmosphere from its past.

Hotel Villa Bonelli

The Hotel Villa Bonelli is a small jewel located in the heart of the historic village of Fiesole and at the same time surrounded by the sweetness of the Tuscan countryside. The hotel has charming rooms overlooking the breath-taking views of the Fiesole hills.

Proceedings

Listed in order of programme schedule

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