An early or somewhat late ChatGPT guide for librarians

 Posted by: Joe Mullins

APA Citation:

Hall, B., & McKee, J. (2024). An early or somewhat late ChatGPT guide for librarians. Journal of Business & Finance Librarianship, 29(1), 58–69. https://doi.org/10.1080/08963568.2024.2303944 

Summary:

    This article presents an up-to-date guide (this summary was written in December of 2024) of ChatGPT in respect to librarians and their work. Acknowledging the current immense usership of ChatGPT by society, Hall and McKee recognize the need for better education, workshop, and general discussion on the stalwart AI tool, particularly for information professionals. However, in this article not only do the authors advocate for research on AI and education of information professionals on ChatGPT but also highlight the importance of caution in using these tools due to limitations. Ultimately, they assert that libraries and librarians alike must stay current and share information with peers on the usages of AI as well as alert their colleagues and patrons to the softwares pitfalls and how to overcome challenges when using the tool.

Evaluation

    This article does a great job in exploring the current design of ChatGPT and advocating and calling on information professionals to become educated in the AI platform to better understand the applications uses and pitfalls. After providing a cursory overview of the popularity and usership of ChatGPT, the article then provides a great literature review of trending and noteworthy articles, workshops, and videos created by university libraries on the software – please see below the evaluation for an attached version of this reading & watching list. Following this literature review, the article then begins to provide a well written piece surveying and demonstrating the uses of ChatGPT as well as acknowledging the pitfalls of the software. They first describe some of the uses of the AI software in detail, which includes assistance in developing curricula, summarizing content, investigating websites, creating rubrics, topic ideation and brainstorming, analyzing and visualizing basic data, crafting social media posts, reviewing content, and writing code. Equally they also present the pitfalls of ChatGPT, highlighting its inability to adequately fact-check, cite sources, analyze and visualize complex data, evaluate or analyze current events, and incorporate or analyze private information. After providing this well thought review of functions and inabilities of ChatGPT, the authors then reassert their argument that it is imperative that information professionals and libraries must stay current and share information with their peers on the usages of ChatGPT – although this could be applied to all comparable AI softwares – and to educate their peers and library users on accurate information about ChatGPT, and especially its pitfalls. Overall, it is a well written and researched article that information professionals should read to ensure education on AI, and ChatGPT especially, is in their tool belt. In the current digital age washed with misinformation, an article highlighting the correct uses and detriments of AI is a valuable tool to have stored in one’s arsenal.

Attachment of Articles Reading and Watching List:

ALA Connect (American Library Association [ALA], 2023) for “ChatGPT” returns 60 “Discussion Threads”

“ChatGPT and Other AI Tools: A Guide for Faculty,” including pages for “ChatGPT/AI Use Cases & Strategies in Higher Education” 

“Readings, Podcasts, and Other Information about ChatGPT and AI” (Wayne State University Libraries, 2023).

In April 2023, the University of Washington community hosted a panel discussion, “Demystifying ChatGPT for Academics” (UW Video, 2023). 

Texas State University (Vaverek, 2023)

Stony Brook University (Kennedy, 2023)

Brown University (Morton-Aiken, n.d.)

DePauw University (Gilson, 2023)

Northern Illinois University (ChatGPT and Education | Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, n.d.)

University of Minnesota (Matts-Benson, 2023)

New York University (Dai, 2023)

University of Georgia (Chaturvedi, 2023)

Cartoons?! Digitizing and Cataloging Challenges...

Nguyen, Jennifer

 

Citation:

Dyer, M. A. (2014). Full Speed Ahead: The Challenges of Cataloging a Historic Editorial Cartoon Collection. Art Documentation: Journal of the Art Libraries Society of North America, 33(2) 279-294.

Summary/Notes:

This article is about the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Libraries digitizing [the Charles Henry Sykes Cartoon Collection] of original editorial or political cartoons from the 1940s. Multiple library departments and staff involved in the project included the digital collections systems librarian, the digital specialist, the Digital Scanning Unit, and the metadata catalog librarian. There were cataloging issues due to missing or lack of information about cartoons donated. Image cataloging issues surrounding what the image is of versus what image is about. Scholars scrutinize the lack of cultural context provided with image digitized. And Dyer, wants us to note importance of text used in cartoon, as there aren’t many text used to begin with. Some solutions found were to obtain original newspaper and editorials the cartoons were printed in, document and note front pages of newspaper that contains cartoon to figure out the context of the cartoon. Only with context would we understand the humor of the cartoons drawn by Sykes’.

 

Reflection:

I was looking for ways and how librarians digitize images while researching for presentation 4. I tried to understand the process of digitization so that I can mention it in the digitization of a collection at the academic library I have been studying all semester. This article showed a whole other dimension of digitization that I hadn’t thought of before: cataloging and digitizing dated materials. It wasn’t as simple as I had thought of it. Apparently, it isn’t as easy as scanning and inputting the metadata information. Dyer does a great job explicating how cartoons work, the context and information to catalog, and additional research needed to fully catalog one cartoon image.

This makes me think about how Instagram functions. Images are often posted, but the source, creator, or information isn’t mentioned, just a partial caption underneath the image. Instagram will make it hard for information professionals to categorize or search for images there. But Instagram has hashtags. Some hashtags often used have nothing to do with the image, but more about what the person posting the image has done. Heck, even I have had trouble searching for a restaurant or place I randomly found an image of on Instagram. It takes me an extra 2 to 20 minutes following hashtags, tagged profiles, and locations to find an art exhibit.

            Overall, read this article if you’re thinking about cataloging, digitizing, and working with images during your librarianship. Dyer writes an easy and coherent article about VCU, Sykes, and the struggles of cataloging historical editorial cartoons.

Digital Storytime

Mitchell, Ruth

Paganelli, Andrea. (2016). Story Time for Learning in a Digital World. Knowledge Quest, 44(3), 8-17.

School librarians can enrich and enliven storytime and engage students with digital storytime.  Kids are growing up in this digital world and don't see the difference between digital books and traditional books.  Using digital books can revitalize traditional storytime.  This article provides tables comparing traditional storytime with digital storytime and links to recommended titles and sources.

Evaluation - I was a naysayer about digital storytime until I read this article; now I am excited to try it. If it will engage those "blase" fifth-graders then it is worth a try!

Empowering Libraries to Innovate

Clark, L. (2015, June 02). Empowering Libraries to Innovate. American Libraries, 46, 20-24. Retrieved December 3, 2015, from Academic Search Premier.

Summary:

This article discusses the Knight Foundation’s attempt to inspire libraries to innovate. The article reviews the Knight Foundation’s challenge to increase the effectiveness of technology to meet users’ needs in more effective and efficient ways. This foundation is funding projects for libraries to increase access to digital technology. The foundation is attempting to streamline the process of cataloging public domain books. The purpose of funding these projects is to motivate libraries to become more innovative,

Evaluation:

This article examines the issues that come with trying to digitalize content in libraries. In an increasingly digital world, libraries need to become more innovative in incorporating digital content into their collections. Libraries need to become innovative if they wish to stay relevant in this new digital age. This article gives several innovative solutions to increasing digital access to library users.

Cost Differentials between E-Books and Print in Academic Libraries

Roscoe, Whitney
Bailey, T., Scott, A., & Best, R.  (2015). Cost Differentials between E-Books and Print in Academic  Libraries. College & Research Libraries, 76(1), 6-18.
Summary:
This article covers a study done at Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) that demonstrates that electronic resources are not always the most cost-effective solution.  At AUM, 462 requests for acquisitioned were examined to compare the pricing of print and electronic versions.
Evaluation:
This article is valuable because it looks beyond the face value of the cost of electronic resources and urges the reader to consider the long-term costs of these materials as well.  Not only must the materials be purchased, but one must also consider matter such as how many users can access it at one time, are there yearly or monthly recurring costs, and what platform should be used to provide access to these sources?  Though this article is not a comprehensive guide to navigating the perils of replacing print resources with digital resources, it does make suggestions to aid in the decision process and gives specific examples of price differences between print and electronic resources of the same title, complete with price differences based on how the e-book is ordered (through a special Patron Driven Acquisitions program versus through traditional channels).

The 2.0 Librarian

Hubschman, Amy

Resource:
Partridge, H., Lee, J., & Munro, C. (2010). Becoming "Librarian 2.0": The Skills, Knowledge, and Attributes Required by Library and Information Science Professionals in a Web 2.0 World (and Beyond). Library Trends, 59 (1-2), 315-335. doi: 10.1353/lib.2010.0029

Summary:
This peer reviewed article focuses on the specific traits that will be required by librarians working in today's digital age.  The article gives an insight into the growing trend of the new "Librarian 2.0 Professional" and what skills will be necessary to properly operate an efficient library of today.  The article compares libraries and librarianship of the past to those of the present, as well as, those of the future.  The article discusses library collaboration, library adaptability, and the ever-changing collection development of successful libraries.

Evaluation:
This article is a good example of how the place and role libraries and librarianship is constantly changing.  The patrons of today have different needs and wants than those of the past. Most importantly this article addresses the ways in which a successful library and an efficient librarian are current, relevant to their patrons, and meet their ever-changing collection needs.

Reinventing Collection Development for a Digital Age: On-Demand and On-the-Go-video

Paul Zurawski

Clark, M. (2011, September 1). Reinventing Collection Development for a Digital Age: On-Demand and On-the-Go. Retrieved February 22, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkCYdX6bGi4

Reinventing Collection Development for a Digital Age: On-Demand and On-the-Go

20 minutes long

Source: Youtube.com

Summary:

This video is about the importance of shifting collection development to meets the needs of the current day patron. The speaker discusses why libraries should allocate money towards building electronic resources and databases, as well as how to evaluate if they are effective. The video also stresses the importance of utilizing tools such as interlibrary loan to fulfill short term needs of patrons, such as getting a title that the library would not normally order, or would not see much use otherwise.

Evaluation:

All of this information is money and efficiency saving techniques that everyone looking to start or maintain a collection should know to help best run it. All of it is incredible practical and means making the most of your budget in the most effective means. It’s important to learn to learn how to follow trends regarding patrons and their needs, as well as gathering to tools they can make the most of. Librarians need to think about every tool at their disposal to make all ends meet, such as the points of using ILL for short term borrow vs buying a material that will see little use.