On 27 August 2026, the ELTE University Library and Archives hosted the 14th conference entitled “Traditions and Challenges.” This year's programme featured roundtable discussions and presentations on the themes of “The Challenges of the New Library Strategy,” “Library Architecture Then and Now,” and “The Library Beyond the Collection.”
Our event attracted widespread interest, with more than 140 guests participating in our programs. The attendees were welcomed by Dr. Kulcsár Szabó Ernőné Gombos Annamária, Director General of the ELTE University Library and Archives, and Dr. Lénárd Darázs, Rector of Eötvös Loránd University.
Following the opening remarks, a brief presentation and roundtable discussion on the topic of the new library strategy took place, moderated by Gyöngyi Karácsony (Director General, University and National Library of Debrecen), with the participation of Judit Gerencsér (President of the Hungarian Librarians’ Association; Acting Director General of the National Széchényi Library), Dóra Kalydy (President of the Scientific and Special Libraries Section of the Hungarian Librarians’ Association), Ágnes Kovácsné Koreny (Ervin Szabó Metropolitan Library, Director General), and Gábor Szeberényi (College of University Library Directors, President).
As part of the afternoon session titled “Library Architecture Then and Now,” moderated by Boda Gáborné Dr. Köntös Nelli (ELTE Faculty of Humanities, Institute of Library and Information Science, assistant professor), Anett Treszkai (Archikon Architects Kft., architect) entitled “The New Paradigm of the Library,” followed by a presentation by Szilvia Korom (BGE University Library, Library Director) and Sára Tábi (Gereben Marián Architects Ltd., architect) titled “Vision, Mapping, Use – The Architectural Evolution of the BGE Library Spaces.” In her presentation titled “Brutalist(?) Heritage,” Mónika Tompa (Director General, Central Library and Archives of the University of Sopron) explored the topic of the Central Library building at the University of Sopron. Beáta Mariann Szabóné Kovács (Director General, University of Miskolc Library, Archives, and Museum) presented the renovated facilities of the University of Miskolc Library, Archives and Museum. Rita Takács (National Film Institute – Film Archive Special Library and Documentation Collection, Library Director) gave a presentation titled “From a Film Industry Ivory Tower to a Future Cinémathèque: Opportunities for Renewal Through Renovation.” Éva Czeglédi (ProQuest, Account Manager) outlined Clarivate’s solutions for the day-to-day operations of today’s libraries. János Liebhauser (Gyula Illyés Library, Director) provided insight into the details of sustainable buildings and green library operations.
The session titled “Beyond the Collection” was moderated by Dr. Emőke Kötél (ELTE University Library and Archives, project manager). During the session, Dr. Kulcsár Szabó Ernőné Gombos Annamária (ELTE University Library and Archives, Director General) entitled “Community and Experience-Based Services at the ELTE University Library.” Next, Máté Tóth (Béla Hamvas Pest County Library, Director) sought to answer the question of where the library’s responsibilities end in his presentation on the lending of equipment, items and toys. Csilla Tóth (Director General, Széchenyi István University Library and Archives) and Ilona Kékesi (IT Librarian, Széchenyi István University Library and Archives) discussed experience-based library programs for future college students under the title “The Path to College.” Anita Nagy (University and National Library of Debrecen, Educational Support Coordinator) gave a presentation titled “Education and Learning in Partnership – A Shared Space for Development at the University of Debrecen,” followed by a presentation by Zsuzsanna Mikó (University of Miskolc – Library, Archives, Museum, Institute of Scientific Data Analysis Methodology, Institute Director) on the possibilities of library data analysis. Parallel to the section meeting, a VR demonstration led by Dániel Molnár took place during the professional day, offering a glimpse into the world of LEGO programming.
The conference was made possible with the support of the Foundation for the University Library, the Scientific and Specialized Libraries Section of the Hungarian Library Association (MKE), the Association of Information Technology and Libraries, the College of University Library Directors, Library Supply Nonprofit Ltd., Clarivate and Qulto. Abstracts of the presentations are available on our website. The ELTE University Library and Archives plans to publish a collection of papers from the 14th “Traditions and Challenges” Professional Day, which will also be available in electronic form in the ELTE EDIT repository; recordings of the presentations are also accessible in the repository’s video archive.