Founded in 1817, the University of Liège (ULiège) is one of Belgium’s leading public research universities, offering education and research opportunities across a broad range of academic disciplines. As part of the Erasmus Staff Week programme, Liza Németh, a staff member of the ELTE University Library and Archives, had the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the operation of the university’s library services.
The professional visit took place from 29 June to 3 July 2026. The programme provided a comprehensive overview of the University of Liège Library’s operations. Participants learned about its organisational structure, staffing model, collection management processes, and cultural heritage preservation activities. They also gained detailed insight into the university’s Open Access and Open Science practices, as well as the related services and institutional strategies.
The presentations addressed several current challenges facing the library profession. One of the main topics was the application of Artificial Intelligence in libraries. Although AI can support and streamline a wide range of processes, the involvement of appropriately qualified and experienced staff remains indispensable. Another noteworthy initiative involved measures designed to help students and researchers maintain their concentration, including the restriction of mobile phone use through the use of dedicated storage devices.
The host institution also paid particular attention to promoting the Diamond Open Access model. Within this framework, library staff participate in BeDiamond, a Belgian national initiative that the University of Liège has also joined. Through the establishment and support of an experimental open-access journal, the initiative aims to advance scholarly publishing, with a particular focus on research in STEM disciplines.
The Erasmus Staff Week offered valuable professional experience, fresh perspectives, and inspiring examples of good practice that can be directly applied in staff members’ day-to-day work and contribute to their continuing professional development.