CCALD

Registration is now open for the 14th Annual Connecticut Academic Library Conference. The conference will be held virtually on Friday, June 14, 2024 from 8:45am – 12:40pm.

Breakout Session #1: 9:00 – 10:00am

A. Sparking Dialogue and Embracing Change: Leveraging Salons for AI Discourse in Academic Libraries

Abstract: As generative artificial intelligence tools rapidly evolve, academic libraries face challenges in planning programming and engaging with their communities. Traditional formats like panels and workshops often fall short in addressing patrons’ overarching viewpoints, questions, and concerns amidst the dynamic landscape of AI. This proposal introduces the Salon format—a forum for philosophical dialogue and debate—as a novel approach to fostering engagement on AI within academic libraries. Drawing from our library’s successful year-long AI Salon series, we highlight the format’s adaptability, minimal technical requirements, and cost-effectiveness. Our presentation will delve into the significance of adopting the Salon approach, sharing insights on marketing strategies, assessment methods, and recommendations. Attendees will gain practical ideas for implementing low-cost, high-impact programming and learn strategies for facilitating engaging Salons, whether online or in-person. Join us in exploring how academic libraries can leverage the Salon format to navigate the evolving terrain of AI technologies.

Dr. Heidi Blackburn is the Computing Librarian at George Mason University Libraries for the Mason School of Computing for the areas of computer science, IT, game design, and statistics. Her research explores the status of women in STEM, particularly in higher education. She is currently researching the representation of women in books in STEM disciplines in library collections. She holds a BA in Business Administration (2006) from Truman State University as well as a Master of Library Science (2008) and a Ph.D. (2015) in Library and Information Science from Emporia State University. She is published in Science & Technology Libraries, Library Hi Tech, Journal of Library & Information Services in Distance Learning, and Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship, among others.

Christopher Magee is one of the Social Sciences Librarians at George Mason University Libraries, serving the Criminology Law and Society, Sport Recreation and Tourism Management programs as well as the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Studies.  He has his BA in Political Science and MS in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University, and MLIS from University of Tennessee – Knoxville.  His focus in emerging and existing technologies, notably Zotero, has led him to his interest in generative AI and outreach and support thereof.

Trevor Watkins is the Teaching and Outreach Librarian at George Mason University. He leads a mini-team of two staff members on the Teaching and Learning Team, which engages in teaching, special projects, outreach, and library programming for George Mason University Libraries. His research interests include Artificial Intelligence (AI), AI literacy, Augmented Reality (AR), digital sustainability, and human-AI interaction. He is a professional member of IASSIST, IEEE, and ACM (SIGAI, SIGCSE). He is the Technical Lead and senior web developer for Project STAND. He is also the founder of Grey Alien Technologies, where he consults with public libraries, academic libraries, and BIPOC organizations about their technology needs. His current projects include the Black Squirrel GNU/Linux operating system, Cosmology of Artificial Intelligence, Mason’s 3D AR/VR Tour, and MOCA (Mason-Libraries Orientation Conversational Agent). 

B. Read this in Robot Voice: Using AI as one Tool in your Information Literacy Toolbox

Abstract: AI can be an empowering tool for instruction librarians. In this presentation, two research and instruction librarians will explore the potential of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as Chat GPT, Google Gemini, and Magic School AI, in the lesson planning process while balancing the ethical and practical implications of using AI in higher ed.

We will discuss how AI can save time for overworked, overwhelmed, and understaffed departments and describe how AI has helped streamline collaboration and promote workload equity while ensuring that instruction is personalized, differentiated, and easily modified for accessibility. To prevent the “robot voice,” we carefully craft each prompt to consider the needs of the students and the college community and revise and adapt each lesson critically and carefully. The session will provide an opportunity for engaged discussion among participants.

Jenny Castel (she/her), Research and Instruction Librarian, earned an M.A. in English many years ago and an MLIS and is the Instruction and Technology Librarian at Wheaton College in Massachusetts. Jenny is passionate about the potential of learning, information, and technology as well as open education and open pedagogy. She believes that the free and unfettered access to education, learning, and learning materials is one path (of many) toward dismantling systems of oppression within higher education and beyond.

Stella Hudson (she/her), Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian, received her BA in English from the College of William and Mary in 2021 and her MLIS from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 2023. She worked as a Social sciences and assessment librarian at Wheaton College in Massachusetts after graduating and now serves as a Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian at the American University in Washington, DC. She is passionate about essential information literacy skills, and leveraging the technologies and tools available to librarians to connect with students and the wider world.

C. AI Research Tools Roundup: Beyond ChatGPT

Abstract: This session will review a number of AI-based tools designed to help you, your faculty colleagues, and your students with scholarly research. It will go beyond the generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and demonstrate how other tools can aid with the discovery and analysis of research papers. In addition, it will touch on how these tools can be leveraged for aspects of the process, such as conducting a literature review. Beyond discovery, this presentation will cover the use of tools that can help users make sense of scientific papers, allowing users to “chat with” the papers, create flash cards, and map citations, for example.

Sharon Clapp is the Digital Resources Librarian at Central Connecticut State University’s Elihu Burritt Library. She has her Master’s degree in Library/Information Science and has worked with library systems, virtual reference, user experience design, website development, and artificial intelligence. She was a fellow at the IDEA Institute for AI in Libraries at University of Texas, Austin in 2022 and serves on CCSU’s Presidential AI Task Force.

D. Multilingual Media Editing with Local, Open AI Tools

Abstract: The OpenVINO toolkit expands the familiar open-source audio editing application Audacity with 100% local (not cloud-based) AI capacities. Trevor and Gerol share the workflow they developed to use these tools while supporting the mid-semester needs of a faculty member teaching with foreign-language film.

Gerol Petruzella is an Academic Technology Consultant at Williams College, and holds a Ph.D. in philosophy, with concentrations in ethics and logic. In 2018 he served on the IEEE working group for Ethically Aligned Design: A Vision for Prioritizing Human Well-being with Autonomous and Intelligent Systems, a standards document for prioritizing ethics in the creation of AI. He has presented at numerous conferences, from the University of St. Andrews (Scotland) to SXSWedu. His most recent presentation was “Conversational Computing; or, how genAI reveals (and subverts) our HCI assumptions” at NERD Summit 2024 at UMass-Amherst.

Trevor Murphy is an Academic Technology Consultant at Williams College. He holds a masters degree from Oregon State University in Scientific and Technical Communication, and his undergraduate degree is a BA in Physics. Before coming to Williams, Trevor was a high school science teacher in North Carolina and also served in the United States Peace Corps in Jordan. He is interested in data visualization, all things audio, and the instructional design process.

E. Reimagining Research with AI

Abstract: Are Google Scholar and JSTOR becoming passe? Explore AI’s impact on library and literature research processes. This presentation will review current AI search engines and discuss their benefits and shortcomings.

Amy Harrell – As Head of Collections, Research, and Instruction, Amy provides leadership for a team who builds the library collections and teaches the Trinity community to engage with them in the pursuit of teaching and learning. She has worked at Trinity since 2001, holding various positions in the library and technology sphere, including Music & Media librarianship, digital projects, and educational technology. 

Susan Chatham is a Research and Instruction Librarian at Trinity College where she actively supports student success, library engagement, and information literacy acquisition.  She previously worked at Norwalk Community College as their Digital and Instruction Librarian where she was responsible for maintaining the library website and online systems. She graduated with her MLS from Simmons University in May 2020.

F. Teaching While Learning: An Approach to Incorporating Artificial Intelligence Literacy in Library Instruction

Abstract: As Artificial Intelligence (AI) became increasingly more prevalent in higher education, and showed clear implications in the ways we approach academic research, librarians needed to learn what impacts AI would have in their practice. The Teaching and Learning Services unit at the University of Maryland, College Park spearheaded how to incorporate discussions about AI literacy into library instruction by preparing lesson plans and talking points for research librarians and organized professional development workshops for librarians about AI. This session will discuss how Teaching and Learning Services librarians collaborated with our Academic Writing Program to regularly incorporate AI literacy into our First-Year library instruction curriculum and actionable strategies we used to prepare research librarians to discuss AI in their classroom. We will also discuss our plans for the future as AI continues to evolve.

Amber Pierdinock-Weed (she/her) is one of two Teaching and Learning Librarians in Teaching and Learning Services at University of Maryland Libraries. She oversees outreach and support to special populations within McKeldin Library, such as the Gemstone program, Honors Colleges, high schools, and more, in addition to providing one-shot instruction for ENGL101 classes. Amber is one of the co-directors for the Research and Teaching Fellowship, a 3-semester teacher training program for MLIS students. As a former community college librarian, Amber is interested in the transfer experience, student-centered pedagogy, and exploring new methods of enhancing students’ information literacy skills.

Benjamin Shaw (he/him) is one of two Teaching and Learning Librarians at UMD Libraries. Benjamin is the library liaison to the Academic Writing Program (AWP) and coordinates the Libraries’ ENGL101 instruction program. Benjamin is one of the co-directors for the Research and Teaching Fellowship, a 3-semester teacher training program for MLIS students. He is passionate about the role of teaching in libraries, promoting exploration of books and primary sources, and encouraging students to explore the library as a space for joy and personal self-development. His current research is focused on information literacy education about artificial intelligence.