AspenCon 2026 brought libraries, developers, and support providers together in Oklahoma City on October 28-30 to share their work and explore what’s next for Aspen. Hosted by Grove’s partner, Metro Library, the conference offered opportunities to learn from colleagues and contribute ideas for Aspen’s future.
Grove returned as an AspenCon Partner this year, contributing to conference planning and sponsorship alongside exhibiting, presenting, and co-leading workshops with community members.
Grove co-founder Jordan Fields shared recent developments and upcoming work in Aspen Discovery and Aspen LiDA, as well as an update on accessibility. Jordan and Grove’s Kate Lozyk also joined Chloe Zermatten from Open Fifth to co-lead a practical accessibility workshop focused on testing Aspen and identifying barriers. These sessions connected ongoing development with tools and knowledge libraries can use in their own work.
Grove co-founder and Aspen Discovery creator, Mark Noble, led a conversation about the potential role of AI in Aspen and the questions the community should consider as it explores that technology. He also hosted the Aspen Catalogers Group and joined fellow Technical Committee members for a discussion about the project.
Bringing these perspectives together helps keep Aspen’s development connected to the people who use and contribute to it.
Myranda Fuentes and Kirstien Kroeger co-led a workshop introducing Aspen’s API and possibilities beyond the catalog.
Myranda also co-hosted a workshop with Sierra Chastain-Rittue from C/W Mars exploring Playwright testing in Aspen.
Grove’s participation grows out of our everyday work with libraries: developing functionality, testing changes, documenting the software, and helping staff put Aspen to use. AspenCon gives us an opportunity to share that experience, hear directly from our partners and colleagues, and learn from their approaches.
We especially appreciated the ideas and experiences brought to the conference. Libraries’ examples, questions, and priorities are central to a thriving open-source community, and we look forward to continuing those conversations.
We thank everyone involved in making AspenCon a success: a wonderful host, Metro Library, the AspenCon Planning Committee, presenters, attendees, and sponsors for creating a dedicated space for all Aspen enthusiasts.
All recordings of streamed sessions are available on the Aspen Library Software Foundation’s YouTube channel.
Full conference schedule and available slides can be found at https://community.aspendiscovery.org/aspenCon2026/schedule.
Save the date: AspenCon 2027
October 27–29, 2027Worcester, MassachusettsHosted by CW MARS
