About ACURIL 2025 Curaçao
Greetings to all ACURILEAN’s, information professionals, exhibitors and friends:
I extend a warm greeting to you as president of the Association of Caribbean University, Research and Institutional Libraries (ACURIL) 2024-2025.
Another year has passed since the truly inspiring conference in Guyana, where the role of Big Data and its effects on archives, museums and libraries was explored. It is for me a privilege and honor to extend another invitation to all librarians, archivists, museum personnel, information specialists, exhibitors and other information professionals to continue the conversation in Curaçao at the 54th Annual Conference.
The theme for our next exchange will be "Digital Humanities: Connecting the Caribbean (communities) through Archives, Museums, and Libraries". This annual opportunity to meet and exchange with information professionals will take place from June 8-12, 2025 at Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort.
The conference will address the challenges and opportunities in digitizing cultural resources within the context of the Caribbean’s “post-colonial” realities. Key discussions will focus on the ethical dimensions of reclaiming and digitizing colonial records, the representation of marginalized voices, and the deconstruction of Eurocentric frameworks in archival and curatorial practices. Emphasis will also be placed on leveraging innovative technologies to make this heritage accessible to diverse audiences, both regionally and globally, while safeguarding its authenticity and integrity.
Connecting and Collaboration will be the guiding principles, encouraging partnerships across borders and between institutions to build networks that amplify shared histories and foster community engagement and access.
The Local Organizing Committee in Curaçao has taken on the challenge to organize another ACURIL-experience with more opportunities and spaces to Connect; comparing innovations and best-practices, across languages and countries and between organizations and/or people!
I am truly looking forward to your support and participation in the 2025 ACURIL conference. It will be an honor to personally meet and greet you in Curaçao.
Cordially,
Lianne Leonora
The conference logo
About the logo:
The logo encapsulates keywords such as digitization, accessibility, cooperation,The lines and points that symbolize the connection between all stakeholders. The inclusion of an arrow signifies positivity and progress, while the binary code represents data and computer instructions, with simplified books and archives depicted in the bottom of the design.
About the colors:
1. Blue conveys trust, honesty, and reliability. It exudes a sense of calm and dependability, making it a universally reassuring color.
- 2. Aqua embodies the essence of coolness and infinite possibilities. Often associated with the Caribbean, it reflects the hues of the sky and ocean, symbolizing truth, purity, and serenity. Aqua also carries a sense of meaning, sophistication, and formality.
- 3. Orange represents enthusiasm, happiness, and creativity. It evokes a sense of cooperation, determination, and warmth, while its vibrant energy naturally attracts attention.
Digital Humanities: Connecting the Caribbean through Archives, Museums, and Libraries
The Association of Caribbean University, Research and Institutional Libraries (ACURIL) is excited to announce its 54th Conference to be held from June 8 - 12, 2025, in Curaçao. The conference theme is Digital Humanities: Connecting the Caribbean through Archives, Museums, and Libraries.
Through dynamic presentations, poster sessions, workshops, and the exhibitors fair, the ACURIL 2025 Conference aims to examine and discuss the current challenges of libraries in the Caribbean, discover and debate the new trends in the information world, and explore the human and material potential of our libraries, museums and archives. Likewise, it seeks to identify the necessary changes to help boost libraries towards proactive actions that will allow them to incorporate new roles and respond to the needs that society demands without losing the essence that has always characterized them.
SUBTHEMES ACURIL 2025 CURAÇAO CONFERENCE:
-
1. Digital Preservation, Identity, and the Decolonization of Caribbean Heritage
A. Digital Preservation in the Caribbean Context:
Explore techniques for safeguarding Caribbean cultural assets, addressing challenges like fragile materials, limited resources, and tropical environmental conditions.
- B. Caribbean Identity in Digital Humanities:
Highlight the region's diverse cultures and histories through digital storytelling, amplifying underrepresented voices, and tackling post-colonial narratives. - C. Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Digital Archives:
Celebrate the Caribbean's linguistic richness by digitizing indigenous, Creole, and multilingual materials while ensuring accessibility and inclusivity. - D. Legal and Ethical Frameworks in Digital Humanities:
Examine the ethical implications of digitizing colonial records and indigenous knowledge, and navigate intellectual property and decolonization practices.
2. Innovative Technologies, Public Engagement and Emerging Trends
A. Innovative Technologies in Archives, Museums, and Libraries:
Leverage cutting-edge tools like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and blockchain to enhance preservation, access, and storytelling.
- B. Engaging the Public Through Digital Humanities:
Empower communities with participatory projects, digital literacy skills and social media to foster broader involvement and awareness of Caribbean heritage. - C. Emerging Trends and Future Directions in Digital Humanities:
Anticipate the impact of Web 3.0, AI, and other technologies on Caribbean cultural institutions while exploring new methods of audience engagement and historical exploration.
-
3. Collaboration, Education, and Capacity Building
A. Collaboration and Networking Across Institutions:
Promote cross-border and cross-sector partnerships to strengthen Caribbean archives, museums, and libraries through shared resources and collective efforts.
- B. Digital Humanities and Pedagogy:
Integrate digital tools into educational curricula, train professionals, and support lifelong learning to bridge generational and technological gaps.
-
4. Sustainability, Resilience, and Funding in the Digital Era
A. Sustainability and Resilience in Digital Humanities:
- Address the challenges posed by climate change, resource constraints, and disaster preparedness to ensure long-term viability of digital projects.
- B. Funding and Resource Mobilization for Digital Projects:
- Explore innovative approaches to secure funding, including grants, crowdfunding, and collaborations, to support the region’s digital humanities initiatives.
