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Librarians play a critical role in curating, organizing and facilitating access to open data (OD) resources, supporting research, learning and information dissemination. This study aims to explore the use of OD for reference services delivery in academic libraries. It is believed that the concept of OD in librarianship refers to the practice of making publicly available data freely accessible, usable and shareable by anyone.

This research examined how the utilization of OD may affect library services and operations. This paper used the systematic review of literature to answer the research questions; hence, it was a desk study.

Given that there has been recently a research shift in linking OD to library metadata, this study revealed some interesting findings. More specifically, it discovered that incorporating OD into reference services can provide several benefits and enhance the quality and relevance of the information provided to library users. In addition, this paper reported that OD enriches reference services by providing comprehensive, current and interdisciplinary information, supporting evidence-based research, enabling data visualization and analysis, fostering community engagement and promoting innovation.

This paper proposes that libraries that possess extensive collections are in a favorable position to embrace the shift toward becoming OD and open big data libraries. It is also believed that academic libraries, through reference services, meet the challenge of providing access to their institutional repositories by holding many sets of data in various formats and providing various interfaces, developing metadata systems for various data streams, supporting all ecosystems of software and data products for reformatting and reusing large and complex data, and support for data sets identifiers. By actively engaging with OD, librarians can play a vital role in facilitating access to information and promoting the use of open knowledge for academic pursuits.

This paper aims to explore the multifaceted relationship between avatars, players, art and libraries in digital environments. Specifically, the paper investigates the artistic representation of avatars, the role of players in shaping avatar experiences and the integration of avatars and art in library settings. In addition, the paper seeks to examine the ethical implications of avatar representation, focusing on issues of diversity, privacy, authenticity, and accessibility.

This paper uses a systematic review to harvest literature from different accredited databases, such as the Web of Science and Directory of Open Access Journals. The review encompasses a wide range of scholarly papers, books and research papers spanning various disciplines such as computer science, information science and engineering.

The paper reveals that avatars serve as powerful tools for communication, self-expression and identity exploration in virtual environments. Avatars also play a significant role in facilitating social interaction, collaboration and engagement within digital communities, including libraries. Furthermore, the paper highlights the artistic potential of avatars as forms of creative expression and representation, showcasing how they can convey emotions, narratives and cultural symbolism in digital art spaces. However, the paper also identifies several ethical considerations associated with avatar representation, such as issues of diversity, privacy, authenticity and accessibility, which require careful attention and consideration by developers, designers and users.

The findings have several implications for theory, practice and policy related to avatar representation in digital environments, particularly within library settings. From a theoretical perspective, the paper contributes to the understanding of the complex interplay between avatars, players, art and ethics in digital culture. From a practical standpoint, the paper offers insights and recommendations for developers, designers and librarians on how to create inclusive, engaging and ethically responsible avatar experiences in virtual libraries. In addition, the paper underscores the importance of considering diverse perspectives and promoting ethical awareness and accountability in the design and implementation of avatar-based interactions in digital spaces.

The purpose of this paper is to disseminate information about the IFLA pre‐conference in Chania, Crete, Greece on the subject of open access in libraries.

Report on visit.

The main focus of the meeting was open access. Much information was shared.

This is an original work with some quoted material.