About the LILI programme

The Leadership Institute for Library Innovation (LILI) 2026 was held from 28 September to 3 October 2026 at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore Kengeri Campus, India. It was a joint event between Singapore Management University Libraries and  CHRIST University Higher Education Leadership Institute. Wiley was proud to support the programme as a Partner through sponsorship and knowledge sharing.

The programme was created for chief librarians, university librarians, library directors and heads of libraries, senior library managers, and emerging leaders preparing for executive-level responsibilities. Its aim was to strengthen library leadership by combining practical leadership development, expert perspectives and peer learning, helping participants navigate change and transformation within academic libraries.

Academic libraries are navigating significant change. AI, Open Access, evolving technologies, and growing stakeholder expectations are creating new questions, often without straightforward answers.

One thing became particularly clear through the Leadership Institute for Library Innovation (LILI) 2026: library leaders don’t have to work through these challenges alone.  

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More than technology

What stood out was the breadth of the conversations.

The programme explored AI and digital transformation, but also the very human side of leadership: understanding your leadership style, managing crises, negotiating with stakeholders and considering what makes a world-class library.  

There was also space for participants to discuss their own institutional challenges and learn from one another through the “My Burning Issue” peer-sharing sessions.  

Sometimes the most useful insight comes from discovering that someone else is wrestling with the same challenge you are.

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Open Access: asking the right questions

Wiley’s contribution focused on “The Global Shift to Open Access: Funding Models and What They Mean for South Asia,” presented by John Morris, Open Research APAC Manager, and Pavithran Narayanan, Content Acquisition Specialist.  

Rather than simply talking about Open Access, the session created a conversation.

Participants raised questions about OA quality, changing publishing models, article processing charges, ethical AI practices and open data.  

It reinforced an important point: every institution’s Open Access journey is different. Wiley’s LILI presentation highlighted that OA adoption varies by region and discipline, and that sustainable approaches need to reflect different needs, mandates and levels of institutional readiness.  

Perhaps the question is no longer simply “What is Open Access?” but: “What should Open Access look like for our institution and our researchers?”

Learning from each other

The feedback following LILI was particularly encouraging.

The programme received an overall rating of 5/5, a curriculum average of 4.88/5, and 100% recommendation of advocacy. Participants particularly valued leadership development, practical negotiation skills, networking and conversations around AI and the future of libraries.  

They were also interested in continuing the journey, with suggestions including follow-up sessions, greater alumni engagement, and further exploration of AI, digital transformation, and stakeholder leadership.  

For us, that’s one of the best measures of a meaningful programme: people leave not feeling that the conversation is finished but wanting it to continue.

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The conversation continues

For Wiley, supporting LILI was an opportunity to share our perspective on the changing Open Access landscape. But just as importantly, it was an opportunity to listen.

The future of academic libraries won’t be shaped by one institution, one technology, or one organisation. It will be shaped by people willing to share experiences, ask difficult questions, and learn from one another.