IFLA Is Looking For the Next Masters of Library Science…Fiction

With its 100-year anniversary on the horizon, IFLA (The International Federation of Library Associations & Institutions) is asking librarians to weigh in on what the future holds for libraries. But rather than seeking scholarly articles, the organization this week unveiled a novel—or more accurately—a short story approach. On March 2, IFLA announced that submissions are now open for the Li-Sci-Fi (Library Science Fiction) short story competition.

“Science fiction has long played a role in helping to imagine alternative worlds, either extrapolating out from current trends, or speculating about what the world might look like if key assumptions fail or change,” reads an IFLA release. “Now we want you to speculate about the future of libraries in our Li-Sci-Fi short story competition.”

Noting that technological advances are key to the evolution of libraries, the organization is asking librarians to explore the “skills and attitudes required to approach the future with confidence,” and to use their imaginations—literally. As part of the run-up to the organization’s 100th anniversary in 2027 (IFLA100), the Li-Sci-Fi contest is seeking entries in two categories: a “flash” short story of up to 1000 words; or a short story between 1,001-2,500 words. Each author limited to one story per category.

Entrants can email their manuscripts in PDF or Word to ifla100@ifla.org. The submissions deadline is September 1, 2026.

In addition, IFLA announced that the winners will be chosen by a celebrity judge, Mary Robinette Kowal—the bestselling author of a dozen novels including Apprehension and the Lady Astronaut series. A past winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus awards, Mary Robinette Kowal is also an award-winning audiobook narrator and co-host of the Writing Excuses podcast.

Entries will be blind reviewed by a jury to select a shortlist, with Mary Robinette Kowal ultimately selecting the winner. All shortlisted stories will be published on the IFLA website as part of the IFLA100 celebrations.

According to the release, IFLA will be judging stories based on:

• Insight: say something interesting and on theme. We want stories that make us stop and think!
• Engaging writing: draw us in with believable and memorable characters, good structure (e.g., strong beginning and ending), and internal consistency.
• Originality: apply your creativity! Any use of AI must be disclosed and limited to translation and minor editing.

Stories can be submitted in any official IFLA language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Russian and Spanish)—although IFLA officials are asking that submissions also include an English language translation or accept that the jury may be working with an automatic translation of the text.

The selected winner may choose one of the following prizes: a €500 cash prize; a contribution of up to €500 towards a full year of paid IFLA membership; or free registration for IFLA’s 2027 annual conference, IFLA WLIC 2027, set for London.

“Libraries have always had a focus on tomorrow. They serve current and future generations, through collecting and safeguarding content and developing the skills and outlooks necessary to help everyone face what comes next with confidence,” a release announcing the contest notes. “In doing so, they have combined new tools with longstanding values in order to find ways of advancing towards key public interest missions.”

A version of this article was also posted on Publishing Perspectives.