Ruth Jenkins - Executive Officer Mar 31, 2026
Mercian 2026 Conference
I can’t do any more with less! – Collaborative and innovative ways to enhance library spaces, collections, and engagement without over-stretching ourselves
(#Mercian26)
Mercian 2026 Conference is a vibrant, friendly event open to all library staff working at a Mercian Collaboration member institution. Mercian 26 offers opportunities for networking, meeting colleagues, sharing experiences, and hearing new ideas.
#Mercian26 on X and #Mercian26 on Bluesky
Date and venue
Date: Wednesday 9th September 2026
Location: The Venue@DMU, De Montfort University
In Person
Conference theme
In an era of tightening budgets, reducing staff capacity, and evolving user expectations, academic libraries are under increasing pressure to deliver more (e.g. more services, more innovation, more engagement) while working with less.
The conference aims to explore practical, collaborative, and sustainable approaches that enable libraries to maintain and enhance their offer without over‑stretching teams or resources.
It will provide space to learn from colleagues across the region, share good practice in all aspects of library work, and to reflect on opportunities to thrive within institutional and sector-wide constraints.
Keynote
It is with great pleasure that we announce Anne-Lise Harding, Strategic Training Lead at the House of Commons Library, as our keynote speaker for Mercian 26. Anne-Lise will be exploring the conference theme in her keynote, with a working title of “Navigating the “less” to deliver more“. Anne-Lise has summarised her keynote below.
“In days of shrinking budgets and “post-restructure” uncertainty, the value of the library is frequently questioned. But while the money may be less, our power to make a difference has never been greater. Drawing on fifteen years of experience across schools, FE, HE, and now Parliament, this keynote explores how to thrive when resources are scarce.
From advocating for library lesson time in schools to leading the “Good Information” campaign in Parliament, I have seen how specialised expertise, determination and innovation transforms the library from a “cost centre” into a vital community and democratic pillar.
I will share strategies for high-impact advocacy, demonstrating how to articulate the library’s value to both sceptical leadership and diverse user groups. We will discuss the art of “finding a niche”, identifying and solving specific stakeholder pain points to cement the library’s relevance. We will also delve into the transition from library practitioner to strategic leader, focusing on how to present “hard” evidence of impact to stakeholders who prioritise income over anecdotes.
This session should provide a roadmap for turning uncertainty into an opportunity for innovation, leadership, and radical visibility“.
Our Sponsors and supporters
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Mercian 26 is funded by sponsorship from publishers, library suppliers and not-for-profit supporters. Our sponsors and supporters are a key part of the event, exhibiting and participating in person throughout the day. Without their support Mercian 26 would not be possible as a free to attend conference.
- Platinum sponsors – Kortext and Overton
- Gold sponsors – Brown’s Books, Bloomsbury, Burgundy Information Services Ltd., Coherent Digital, EBSCO, Manchester University Press, Taylor & Francis and VitalSource Technologies
- Silver sponsor – OCLC
We offer a range of sponsorship options and opportunities. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for this year or at a future conference, please get in touch via mercianconference@gmail.com.
Call for Papers and Posters
Our speakers are staff from member libraries presenting and discussing their work, priorities, and initiatives, in line with conference themes. We especially encourage proposals from new speakers, who gain valuable experience of presenting at a professional conference.
- Our Call for Papers is now live. We’re looking for a range of different speakers from 45 minute workshops to 15 minute tabletop discussions. Discover the different Session Types and then send in your proposal.
- Our Call for Posters is now live. We’re inviting colleagues who either have a smaller project or simply prefer not to present a paper to suggest a poster for our exhibition to showcase something you have done.
Eligibility and Delegate Bookings
To attend Mercian 26, you must be higher education libraries staff at a Mercian Collaboration member institution. We do not charge for delegate bookings.
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Bookings are likely to open late spring/early summer.
More information will continue to be added to this website as it becomes available
We look forward to you attending, speaking and being a part of the conference on the day.
If you have any questions, please email mercianconference@gmail.com
Updated 20th April to add Call for Papers information
Photo credit: De Montfort University
