Breaking News: Free AI & Libraries Conference
March 21 from 12-3pm Pacific Time
This is a free event, being held live online and also recorded.
REGISTER HERE to attend live and/or to receive the recording links afterward.
From their email:
Our first Library 2.024 mini-conference: "AI and Libraries: Applications, Implications, and Possibilities," will be held online (and for free) on Thursday, March 21st, 2024, from 12:00 - 3:00 pm US-Pacific Time. Our conference schedule is now posted (see below). And don't forget that we've added a second day of presentations ("AI and Libraries - Part II") on April 18th since we received so many good proposals (also listed below). We currently have over 9,500 registrations.
CONFERENCE OVERVIEW:
How has artificial intelligence impacted library services, resources, and work so far? How have libraries responded to these evolving technologies to better support their communities? It's been over a year since generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and Dall-E have been introduced in public spaces and consciousness, but AI has been around long before these tools yet there are still lingering concerns, challenges, and considerations. Join us for this free virtual conference to learn how libraries and library workers are engaging with artificial intelligence tools in their libraries from research support to information literacy to technical services. The conversations held in the conference will address the practical implications of these tools in the profession.
Our special conference chair is Dr. Raymond Pun, the Academic and Research Librarian at Alder Graduate School of Education, and the Immediate Past President of the Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA) and a Past President of the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA).
We look forward to gathering online with you for this event!
OPENING KEYNOTE PANEL:
Ray Pun, Ed.D., MLS
ALA Presidential Candidate 2025-2026
Librarian, Alder Graduate School of Education
Immediate Past President, Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA)
Past President, Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA)
SPECIAL ORGANIZER
Dr. Ray Pun (he/him) is the academic and research librarian at the Alder Graduate School of Education, a teacher residency program in California, where he supports all library services from scholarly communication to acquisition by engaging with graduate students and teacher educators. Previously, Pun worked and taught at Stanford University, Fresno State, New York University Shanghai, and the New York Public Library in various roles. Pun is an active member of the American Library Association (ALA) and Library Freedom Project (LFP) and is the Past President of the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) and the Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA). In addition, Pun is an ALA Presidential candidate for 2025-2026.
IdaMae Craddock
Librarian, Albemarle County Public Schools, Community Lab Schools, Virginia
OPENING KEYNOTE PANEL
A 22 year veteran of Albemarle County, IdaMae Craddock, M.Ed is the librarian at the Community Lab Schools. Ms. Craddock has conducted seminars at the White House, the Bay Area MakerFaire, and South Carolina Association of School Libraries. Ms. Craddock is Virginia's 2019 Librarian of the Year and was named a Darden Fellow at Old Dominion University in 2019 as well. Winner of the Magna Award from the National Association of School Boards, her publishing credits include Library High-Tech, School Library Journal, and Knowledge Quest. The focus of her research is Maker Education and the role of school libraries in the community. Her program has been profiled by School Library Journal, Library Media Connection, NPR, and Edutopia. She has a precocious daughter, an understanding husband, and a lazy dog named Peacha.
Dr. Brandy McNeil
Deputy Director, Programs & Services. The New York Public Library
OPENING KEYNOTE PANEL
Dr. Brandy McNeil focuses on community needs through game-changing innovations to build successful adult education programs in the 89 branches under her stewardship across NYC. Building the highly successful TechConnect program, Dr. McNeil has established partnerships with Apple, Spotify, Google, and Microsoft to name a few. Through her inspirational leadership, she has made it her mission to help underserved communities to ensure equitable access to technology, knowledge, and opportunity. Dr. McNeil is also a contributing writer of the book titled Libraryland; It's All About The Story published in 2020 and has appeared in various publications. Dr. McNeil holds a Doctorate in Business and an M.B.A. in Entrepreneurship. Previously, she worked for several Fortune 500 companies and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Public Library Association and was on the Black Caucus of ALA Executive Board. In her spare time, she is an entrepreneur, consultant, and motivational speaker.
Leo S. Lo
Dean/Professor, College of University Libraries & Learning Sciences, University of New Mexico
OPENING KEYNOTE PANEL
Dr. Leo S. Lo (he, him, his) joined the University of New Mexico as Dean and Professor of the College of University Libraries and Learning Services (CULLS) in September 2021. He oversees over 120 full time faculty and staff and provides leadership for all University Libraries operations, Organization, Information, and Learning Sciences (OILS) program, and the UNM Press.
CLOSING KEYNOTE CONVERSATION: DR. RAY PUN WITH DR. MAGGIE MELO
Dr. Maggie Melo
Assistant Professor, UNC School of Information and Library Science
CLOSING
Maggie Melo is an Assistant Professor in the School of Information and Library Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a recipient of an NSF CAREER award, recognized for her expertise in studying information seeking behaviors among students from underrepresented communities in makerspaces. Her research focus extends to generative AI (GenAI), with an emphasis on how first-generation students of color use GenAI for academic help seeking. She is currently serving on the UNC Generative AI committee, where her role involves shaping guidance for faculty, researchers, and students in the use of generative AI tools. Her contributions in GenAI have gained recognition through talks, podcasts, and opinion pieces.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
The following is the conference schedule. To receive the Zoom links for the conference, please register (those links will be available to registrants the day before the conference).
MARCH 21st, 2024
12:00 pm US - Pacific Standard Time
(Click here to see in your local time zone)
OPENING KEYNOTE: Ray Pun, Ed.D., MLS | IdaMae Craddock | Dr. Leo S. Lo | Dr. Brandy McNeil (Link to bios)
1:00 pm US - Pacific Standard Time
(Click here to see in your local time zone)
A Framework for AI Literacy in Libraries: Paul R. Pival, Research Librarian – Data Analytics, University of Calgary (Link to proposal)
Artificial Intelligence Teamwork for Agricultural Information Service Delivery in a Changing World: a Paradigm Shift: Dr. Taiwo Bosede Ajayi, Lagos State University of Science and Technology Library, Lagos (Link to proposal)
Classroom Faculty and Librarians Introducing Artificial Intelligence in the Research Process: Beth Evans, Scholarly Communication & Electronic Resources Librarian, Brooklyn College Library, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York (Link to proposal)
Deliberately Safeguarding Privacy and Confidentiality in the Era of Generative AI: Reed Hepler, Digital Initiatives Librarian and Archivist, College of Southern Idaho (Link to proposal)
Practical application of AI for evaluating music to build a music library: Jane Gilvin, Research, Archives & Data Information Specialist 3, NPR Research, Archives & Data Strategy team (Link to proposal)
Research Focused Generative AI Tools: Breanne Kirsch, University Librarian, Briar Cliff University (Link to proposal)
What AI can do with manuscript collections: Sonia Yaco, Digital Initiatives and Emerging Technologies Librarian, Rutgers University (Link to proposal)
1:30 pm US - Pacific Standard Time
(Click here to see in your local time zone)
Alternatives to Generative AI for Library Research: Allison Faix, Instruction Coordinator, University Libraries, Coastal Carolina University | Samantha Duncan (Link to proposal)
At the Helm of Innovation: Librarians at the Forefront of AI Engagement and Integration: Jamillah Scott-Branch, Acting Director of Library Services, Georgetown University Qatar | Robert Laws, Data, Web, and Media Services Librarian | Paschalia Terzi, Instructional Services Librarian (Link to proposal)
Build your own AI Tools: Scripting with Google’s PaLM and Python for Librariea: Eric Silberberg, Instructional design and education librarian, Queens College, City University of New York (Link to proposal)
Exploring AI in Public Libraries: Programs for Communities: Aryamala Prasad, Researcher in Digital Government, Center for Technology in Government, University at Albany | Zong-Xian Huang | Mila Gascó-Hernandez | J. Ramon Gil-Garcia (Link to proposal)
Impact of AI on Academic Library Research Support Services: Dr. Olga Koz, Kennesaw State University (Link to proposal)
Navigating Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) in K-12 Education through a Librarian's Lens: Delandrus Seales, Teaching & Learning Librarian, Randall Library, Academic Research & Engagement Team, University of North Carolina at Wilmington (Link to proposal)
Using AI for Teaching & Information Literacy: Claire Nickerson, Learning Initiatives and Open Educational Resources Libraria, Fort Hays State University, Forsyth Library | Heather VanDyne, Online Learning Librarian (Link to proposal)
2:00 pm US - Pacific Standard Time
(Click here to see in your local time zone)
AI Literacy at Lunchtime: Texas Tech University Library’s Discussion-Based Workshop Series: Erin Burns, STEM Librarian, Texas Tech University | Jenni Jacobs, STEM Librarian | Brian Quinn, Graduate Studies Librarian | Josh Salmans, Philosophy, Museum Studies and History Librarian (Link to proposal)
Bridging the Gap, Fighting Manipulation: Perspectives on AI and libraries from the South: Santiago Villegas-Ceballos, Digital Transformation for Libraries Consultant & AI Literacy Advocate in Latinamerica, @MedeJean (Link to proposal)
Engaging Our Power Beyond Algorithmic Bias: Reframing and Resisting AI Empire: Sarah Appedu, PhD student, School of Information Studies, Syracuse University (Link to proposal)
Generative AI and Authorship: Robin Kear, Liaison Librarian, University of Pittsburgh (Link to proposal)
Harnessing the Potential of AI Technologies to Enhance Student Success.: Muhammad Hassan, Executive Director, Kean University | Linda Cifelli, Research Librarian | Craig Anderson, Access Librarian (Link to proposal)
Improving Library Website Usability with AI: Sharon Clapp, Associate Librarian, Digital Resources, Elihu Burritt Library, Central Connecticut State University (Link to proposal)
The Many Flavors of AI: Terms, jargon, and definitions you NEED to know: Caroline Coward, Information Science Manager & Library Group Supervisor, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Link to proposal)
2:30 pm US - Pacific Standard Time
(Click here to see in your local time zone)
CLOSING KEYNOTE CONVERSATION: Dr. Ray Pun with Dr. Maggie Melo (Link to bios)