The Charleston Conference remains a leading international gathering for the exchange of ideas among librarians, publishers, and vendors. Now in its forty-fourth year, the conference continues to thrive as one of the most dynamic and engaging events in the library and information community. Building on the momentum of 2023, when the Charleston Hub joined nonprofit science publisher Annual Reviews, the 2024 conference marked the first full year of this exciting collaboration. The partnership has strengthened Charleston’s mission to foster open dialogue, innovation, and collaboration across all sectors of scholarly communication while preserving the collegial, independent spirit that makes Charleston unique.

The 2024 meeting once again delivered strong participation and rich discussion on emerging issues shaping libraries, publishing, and research. Attendees consistently highlight the Charleston Conference’s relaxed, inclusive atmosphere, where professionals from all corners of the information world come together to share insights and challenge assumptions. Set against the historic and welcoming backdrop of Charleston, South Carolina, the event continues to inspire and connect our global community.

The proceedings are edited by Beth R. Bernhardt, Consortia Account Manager at Oxford University Press; Leah Hinds, Executive Director of the Charleston Hub; and Lars Meyer, Associate University Librarian for Access and Resource Services at Emory University Libraries. We are pleased to share highlights, key themes, and reflections from another memorable year of learning and exchange at the Charleston Conference.