2026 Library Insights Summit Partnerships Announced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 15, 2026
Contacts: Christopher Nesbit, Christopher@forewordreviews.com
Adeline Lui, adeline@ibpa-online.org
Liz Bartek, liz@bisg.org
Mary Beth Barilla, mbarilla@niso.org
Library Insights Summit 2026 Program Announced:
Fourth annual event expands librarian programming with BISG and NISO collaboration ahead of ALA Annual
Traverse City, MI—The Library Insights Summit (LIS), produced by Foreword Reviews, returns for its fourth year on June 26, 2026, with new programming partnerships from the Book Industry Study Group (BISG) and the National Information Standards Organization (NISO).
Held the day before the ALA Annual Conference at McCormick Place in Chicago, LIS is a one-day conference designed to bring librarians, publishers, and industry service providers together for candid, business-focused conversations about today’s reading, discovery, and access landscape.
Registration opens today, with early-bird pricing available through March 31, 2026.
The 2026 LIS program features expanded programming for three key communities. The morning breakout sessions will offer separate tracks to established independent trade publishers, author-publishers, and librarians. The afternoon sessions are designed to be of interest to all three communities as they come together for data-informed discussions on discovery, metadata, standards, and how library systems and publishing decisions intersect.
“These partnerships reflect how LIS has evolved,” said Victoria Sutherland, founding publisher of Foreword Magazine, Inc. “What began as a conversation about library business development for established presses has grown into a forum that recognizes the distinct needs of librarians, author-publishers, and independent publishers alike. In addition, working with BISG and NISO allows us to offer deeper, standards-focused programming for librarians who want practical context and clarity.”
“BISG is delighted to bring the content we’ve hosted as part of the Changing Standards, jointly produced with NISO, to the Library Insights Summit,” said Brian O’Leary, Executive Director of BISG. “LIS is uniquely positioned to bring publishers, author-publishers, and librarians into the same room for thoughtful, practical conversations about how books move from creation to reader access. Being part of a program that emphasizes data, standards, and collaboration—especially on the eve of ALA Annual—aligns perfectly with what BISG and NISO have done to connect the book and library communities and support a healthier, more transparent ecosystem for everyone involved.”
“For nearly 20 years, NISO and BISG have hosted the Changing Standards Landscape at the ALA Annual Conference. The event brought together the library and publishing communities to discuss technologies and best practices across our communities to advance common understanding and goal setting in a collaborative environment,” added Todd Carpenter, Executive Director of NISO. “Building on this tradition, we are excited to partner with Foreword to incorporate this program into LIS in 2026. As technologies transform how content is created and then distributed by publishers then collected and circulated by libraries, the business processes have needed to evolve. This year’s expanded LIS program will provide attendees a better understanding of this evolution and its impacts now and into the future.”
The Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), which joined LIS programming in 2025, will again collaborate on sessions designed for author-publishers navigating library markets.
For full program details and registration information, visit Library Insights Summit online here.
About Foreword Magazine, Inc.: Since 1998, Foreword Reviews has provided trade book reviews of the best titles from independent presses. In print, and online, its FOLIO: award-winning design and editorial content makes the magazine a favorite among librarians, booksellers, and readers—providing an excellent resource when it comes to purchasing books. Foreword INDIES and the fee-for-review Clarion service complement our online content and print magazine, helping to showcase diverse independent presses and their authors for over 26 years. Library Insights Summit brings our readers and publishing clients together to build industry collaboration. Visit forewordreviews.com
About Independent Book Publishers Association: Founded in 1983 to support independent publishers nationwide, IBPA leads and serves the independent publishing community through advocacy, education, and tools for success. With over 3,000 members, the nonprofit IBPA is the largest publishing association in the U.S. Its vision is a world where every independent publisher has the access, knowledge, and tools needed to professionally engage in all aspects of an inclusive publishing industry. For more information, visit ibpa-online.org.
About Book Industry Study Group: The Book Industry Study Group (BISG) is the leading trade association for the book industry, dedicated to advancing standards, best practices, education, and communication. BISG brings together a diverse array of industry stakeholders through membership—including publishers, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, libraries, and retailers—to collaboratively solve shared challenges and drive innovation throughout the book industry supply chain. Learn more at bisg.org.
About National Information Standards Organization: NISO is a nonprofit organization that develops, maintains, and promotes technical standards to improve the discovery, exchange, and management of information. NISO’s standards and recommended practices support publishers, libraries, technology providers, and content creators worldwide, enabling more efficient workflows and better access to scholarly and professional content. NISO also provides education and forums for community discussion around standards and emerging issues in information management. Learn more at niso.org.
Victoria Sutherland
