Julia Gelfand at the SCECSAL Conference Panel on Library Partnerships

Julia Gelfand

On 28 April, the XXVII SCECSAL conference in Livingstone, Zambia, will feature a respected voice in global librarianship - Julia Gelfand formerly of the University of California, Irvine Libraries. She will join a high-level expert panel on “Building Partnerships for Sustainable Library and Information Services.”

With more than four decades of experience in academic and research librarianship, Julia recently retired from UC Irvine as Applied Sciences & Engineering Librarian and was conferred Distinguished Emerita status in recognition of her outstanding career. She remains active professionally and globally and is engaged in the global library community through organizations such as the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), American Library Association (ALA), Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP), the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), International Association of University Libraries (IATUL). 

In 2026, Gelfand is serving as a Fulbright Scholar at Botswana International University of Science and Technology Libraries, where she is contributing to a range of forward-looking initiatives. Her work spans collections development, scholarly communication, library outreach and marketing, and the application of artificial intelligence in libraries, areas that are rapidly reshaping the global information landscape. Her current engagement in Africa reflects a strong commitment to capacity development and international collaboration. 

 Her participation in the SCECSAL panel comes at a critical moment for African libraries. As institutions navigate digital transformation, open knowledge systems, and evolving user needs, the role of strategic partnerships has never been more important. The session will explore how collaborations with governments, development agencies, NGOs, communities, and the private sector can transform libraries into engines of sustainable development. 

With her extensive global experience and current work on the continent, Julia brings both expertise and inspiration to this important conversation, highlighting the power of partnerships to shape the future of library and information services in Africa. She looks forward to meeting and engaging with you at the conference. Visit and regsiter at the conference website: https://conference.scecsal.org/