Luciana Maria Cumino 
Project Manager and Director of the Humanities Library Sector (Biblioteca del distretto delle scienze umane)

Ludovica Contini - Humanities Library District (Biblioteca del Distretto delle scienze umane)
Laura Corda  -  Humanities Library District (Biblioteca del Distretto delle scienze umane)
Marcella Dalu  -  Social Sciences, Economics and Law Library District (Biblioteca del Distretto delle scienze sociali, economiche e giuridiche)
Liliana Demelas  -  Biomedical Sciences Library District (Biblioteca del Distretto biomedico scientifico)
Valentina De Riso -  Social Sciences, Economics and Law Library District (Biblioteca del Distretto delle scienze sociali, economiche e giuridiche)        
Maria Cristina Maccioni  -  Technology Library District (Biblioteca del Distretto tecnologico)
Martina Mallocci  -  Central administration (Direzione centrale)
Alessandra Meleddu  -  Technology Library District (Biblioteca del Distretto tecnologico)
Michela Pia  -  Social Sciences, Economics and Law Library District (Biblioteca del Distretto delle scienze sociali, economiche e giuridiche)

The Open Access movement was born with the aim of harnessing  the potential of digital systems and the Web to disseminate and share  research results without barriers or restrictions. It is now considered part of the governance system of universities and research institutions as support in the evaluation of research papers. The BIP organized by the University of Cagliari aims to offer a complete and comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of Open Access.

The use of electronic resources is increasingly present in academic libraries, and universities are making significant investments to increase the resources available for both students and teachers. The BIP provides the opportunity to acquire and develop new skills not only for those who handle academic documents and electronic resources, but also for anyone whose aim is to explore the dynamics of evaluating research outputs, through the exchange of best practices. 

The workshop will include a meeting on the introduction of new technologies, in particular artificial intelligence applied to academic libraries, to understand how these tools can be used to improve services and activities. 

The BIP program includes both an online session and several in-person sessions, and is subject to updates.  

Online session

Thursday, September 11, 2025, 15.00 (CEST).

• Keynote: UCL Press celebrates its 10th anniversary. Dr. Paul Ayris, Pro-Vice-Provost (UCL Library Services), Chief Executive UCL Press and former Chair of LIBER's Citizen Science Working Group. 

In-person sessions

Day 1: Monday, September 29, 2025

• 09:30 – 10:30 Registration, conference bag pick-up, and Welcoming Address at the University Museum of Contemporary Arts and Cultures (MUACC).
• 10:30 – 11:30 Presentation by Dr. Simona Campus on MUACC and the University Museum System.
• 11:30 – 12:00 Coffee break.
• 12:00 – 13:00 Guided tour of the University Library (Biblioteca universitaria) of Cagliari.
• 13:00 – 14:30 Lunch break.
• 15:30 – 18:30 Boat trip to Sella del Diavolo (optional activity).

Day 2: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

• 09:00 – 10:00 Workshop: The management of electronic resources at the University of Cagliari: challenges and opportunities. Dr. Martina Mallocci, University of Cagliari (Sala Gramsci, Economics Library).
• 10:00 – 10:30 Coffee break.
• 10:30 – 11:30 Short presentations by participants on the use of electronic resources in their own institutions.
• 11:30 – 13:00 Library tour of the Social Sciences, Economics and Law Library.
• 13:00 – 14:30 Social lunch featuring dishes from around the world.
• 14.30                 Tour of the Botanical Garden.
• 17:00              Guided city tour (optional activity).

Day 3: Wednesday, October 1, 2025

• 09:00 – 10:00 Keynote: UniCa roadmap to openness: institutional policy, implementation strategy, and the emerging “security challenge”. Prof. Luciano Colombo, University of Cagliari (Multimedia Room, Dante Alighieri Library).
• 10:00 – 11:00 Workshop: IRIS UniCa: the institutional research repository and the role of librarians in promoting Open Access at the University of Cagliari. Mrs. Laura Corda, University of Cagliari (Multimedia Room, Dante Alighieri Library).
• 11:00 – 11:30 Coffee break.
• 11:30 – 13:00 Library tour of the Humanities District Library and the Technology District Library.
• 13:00 – 14:30 Lunch break.
• 14:30              Visit to the Nuragic archaeological site of Barumini (optional activity).

Day 4: Thursday, October 2, 2025

• 09:00 – 10:00 Keynote: The legal governance of Artificial Intelligence in academic libraries: principles, limitations, and applications. Dr. Alessia Palladino & Prof. Massimo Farina (Sala Gramsci, Economics Library; online).
• 10:00 – 10:30 Library tour of the Cittadella dei Musei (Humanities District).
• 10:30 – 11:30 Library tour of the Architecture Library (Technology District) and Coffee Break.
• 11:30 – 13:00 Short presentations by participants on Open Access and AI.
• 13:00 – 14:30 Lunch Break.
• 18:00              Sardinian cookery class and dinner (optional activity).

Day 5: Friday, October 3, 2025

• 09:00 – 10:00 Closing remarks and goodbye.
• 10:30              Final Online Test (accessible for 10 days).

Download the program

• Be a citizen of a European Union member State or a third Country participating in the Erasmus programme. 
• Be currently working/have worked as an academic librarian.
• Have a level of proficiency in English at least equivalent to CEFR level B1. 

To submit your application, please fill in this form, from 8 a.m. (CEST) on January 28, 2025 until 11 p.m. (CEST) on March 31, 2025 (the form will be available only on the dates and times indicated). 

New call for applications: to submit your application, you must fill out the appropriate form, available from 8 a.m. (CEST) on May 27, 2025 to 11 p.m. (CEST) on June 3, 2025.

The application must be accompanied by: 

• Motivation letter, describing how participation in the BIP can enrich their study and professional path. The letter must be compiled using the online form. 
• Curriculum Vitae. 
• Language certificate according to the CEFR or self-declaration (see template).

Documents submitted separately and/or after the application deadline will not be considered. 

Incomplete applications will not be accepted; it will not be possible to supplement or modify the submitted applications afterward (for either formal or substantial errors). 

The selection board is composed as follows:

• Dr. Luciana Maria Cumino – Project manager and organizer of the BIP “Sorry, we're OPEN!” – President.
• Dr. Martina Mallocci – Expert member and organizer of the BIP “Sorry, we're OPEN!”.
• Dr. Giovanna Frigimelica – Expert member.
• Dr. Francesca Mulas – minutes secretary.

Each application will receive a maximum of 30 points: 

• Evaluation of the motivation expressed by the candidate in the application for participation (up to 10 points).
• Evaluation of the candidate's CV based on its relevance to the topics covered in the BIP (up to 10 points).
• Language skills (up to 10 points).

For the evaluation of linguistic skills, each candidate can attach the relevant documentation to the application form. Language skills must be demonstrated through the submission, together with the application form, of a certificate certifying the levels of knowledge of the foreign language according to the CEFR. The score relating to linguistic skills must be attributed according to the following scale, also taking into account certifications relating to multiple languages, in addition to English, until the maximum available score is reached. The following assessment will be carried out for each language:

Scores attributed to CEFR language certificates:

• Level B1: 2 points.
• Level B2: 3 points.
• Level C1: 4 points.
• Level C2: 5 points.

Results will be published on this webpage by May 16, 2025. Non-admitted candidates will also receive an email to inform them that they have been placed on a waiting list, in case of withdrawals by accepted candidates, or to notify them of the exclusion of their application due to lack of the required qualifications. 

Publication of the merit ranking for the selection

Results for the reopening of the call will be published on June 12, 2025

Publication of the 2nd merit ranking for the selection

How to get to Cagliari

Cagliari is easily reachable from all major European cities thanks to the Cagliari-Elmas Airport. From there, have several options for reaching the heart of the city.

By train arriving at the central station in Piazza Matteotti. Tickets cost €1.30 with a journey time of 8 minutes. All departure times are available on the free Trenitalia app for iOS and Android.

Taxi in the square in front of the terminal, with a journey time of about 15 minutes. 

Several car rental options are also available. 

How to get around Cagliari

Cagliari can easily be visited on foot or by taking advantage of the  efficient local transport system including CTM buses, which conveniently cover all parts of the city. Tickets cost €1.30. You can purchase your ticket, calculate the route and learn about the routes via the free Busfinder app for iOS and Android.

Several car sharing options are also available. 

Find here to see a map of the city of Cagliari.

Strolling through the city center

The centre of Cagliari extends between the districts of Castello, Marina, Stampace and Villanova. Click here for a guide to the main historical and architectural beauties of the city.