This publication is a product of the 8th International Conference of Asian Special Libraries held on 22-24 February 2023 at the University of San Carlos, Cebu City, Philippines. The conference was organized by the Special Libraries Association - Asian Community (SLA-Asia) under the leadership of Mr. Joseph M. Yap. This is in collaboration with the Association of Special Libraries of the Philippines (ASLP) chaired by Mr. Bryan Boy C. Cortez and co-chaired by Ms. Maria Teresa M. Cabance, and the Cebu Librarians Association, Inc. (CLAI), chaired by Ms. Marciana Mariñas. This year’s conference theme is “Advancing Asian Special Libraries Towards the Fifth Industrial Revolution.” The theme is timely as we enter the next period of advanced technology while transitioning to the post-pandemic era. Due to the fast pace of technological innovation, libraries must quickly adopt and integrate these technologies, particularly the frontrunners of the fifth industrial revolution (IR): artificial intelligence (AI) and robots. Libraries need to keep up with changing users’ needs, and stay astride with the current trends in the field. It is important to note that the rapid adoption of technologies in libraries has also led to a change in the mindsets of librarians, library services offered, and the technological competencies required of a librarian and information professionals. The conference included the following topics supporting the theme: (1) Hybrid and HyFlex Library Services, (2) Digital Reference Services, (3) Librarian 5.0, (4) Automated Reference Service, (5) Virtual Space in Physical Library, (6) Special Libraries as a Beacon of Digital Transformation, (7) AI in Libraries, (8 Digital Libraries, (9) Smart Libraries, (10) Robots and Librarians, (11) Managing Libraries in IR 5.0, (12) Roles of Library Associations in the Advancement of the Profession, (13) Web 5.0: Blockchain-Powered Digital Network, (14) Media and Information Literacy Challenges in Information Practice, (15) Pedagogical Approaches in Digital and AI Literacies, (16) LIS Theories Related to the Theme, and, (17) Curriculum and Instruction in LIS. Out of 50 papers submitted to the ICoASL 2023 Scientific Committee, 30 papers from seven (7) Asian countries were selected and compiled in this publication, including four (4) poster abstracts. This compilation will not be possible without the careful selection, review, and guidance of the ICoASL 2023 Scientific Committee. We would also like to acknowledge SLA – Asian Chapter, ASLP, CLAI, University of San Carlos, various partner organizations, and sponsors for their support, the researchers who heeded the call for papers and posters, and most especially, the participants for attending the Conference.

Alayon, S. B., Frias, W. S. A., & Funclara, R. D. (Eds.). (2023). Advancing Asian Special Libraries Towards the Fifth Industrial Revolution: Proceedings of the 8th International Conference of Asian Special Libraries (ICoASL 2023). Special Libraries Association – Asian Community; Association of Special Libraries of the Philippines