188th Association Meeting: Spring 2026

Adaptation refers to both a process and its outcomes—adjusting to change to become better suited to new conditions and the characteristics associated with that adjustment. Major changes afoot in technology, federal research funding in both the US and Canada, scholarly communication, and increasingly fractured social bonds are causing lasting changes in our sector. The manner in which we adapt is up to leaders, our collective strategic foresight, our values, and our ability to work in new ways, new networks, and new coalitions. In 2026, our meeting focus will look at the organizational adaptive capacities, connections, and actions needed to transform and thrive as we understand the new realities of the next 3–5 years and beyond for research institutions and libraries. In the context of strategic and intentional adaptation of research libraries and our key partners and stakeholders, programming at the 2026 Association Meetings will incorporate a multidisciplinary examination of what it means to adapt while living mission, vision, and values. Programming will include: A focus on local knowledge, local advocacy, and local community; Peer-to-peer exchanges on strategy; New tensions with open access and AI; Adapting to a changing climate; Trends in higher education and what they mean for research libraries; A kick-off to ARL’s 2026 Action Planning.