The IATUL Seminar 2023, titled "Libraries as Transformers," was held at the İzmir National Library in İzmir, Türkiye, from September 4-7, 2023. 

The seminar featured 13 invited speakers, including experts on artificial intelligence and university libraries, artificial intelligence and open science, and artificial intelligence and research information systems. Other noteworthy presentations included a discussion of GCRIS, Turkey's first research information system, and artificial intelligence applications. Transformative agreements and research data management were also popular topics.

In addition to the invited speakers, the seminar program committee accepted 14 presentations from different countries. Sponsoring companies also gave presentations.

The seminar was notable not only for its academic content, but also for its social program. Before the seminar, the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality hosted a welcome reception for participants at the historical Havagazı Culture Center. The reception featured live music and promotional materials about İzmir and its surroundings.

The seminar gala dinner was held at the historical Elevator restaurant, which offers stunning views of the sunset over İzmir. The menu featured the best dishes of Turkish cuisine, one of the best cuisines in the world.

The seminar also included a study tour of the ancient city of Ephesus and the village of Şirince. Participants were particularly impressed by the Celsus Library, a Roman library from the 2nd century AD.

The IATUL Seminar 2023 was a valuable opportunity for librarians from different parts of the world to meet, share experiences, and learn from each other. The seminar's focus on libraries as transformers was timely and important, and the speakers and participants provided insights into how libraries can adapt and thrive in the digital age.

-Gültekin Gürdal, IZTECH