Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Libraries

Guerra, Chris

Subaveerapandiyan, A. (2023). Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in libraries and its impact on library operations review. Library Philosophy and Practice, 1–19.

Summary: The article provides a comprehensive overview of the role and impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the library sector. It includes an extensive review of literature and research studies that explore various aspects of AI application in libraries. The focus is on how AI technologies are being utilized to enhance library operations, improve user experience, and contribute to the development of smarter library services. The article discusses different AI tools and systems being implemented in libraries, such as intelligent information retrieval, digital curation, and AI-based chatbots for customer service. It also examines the influence of AI on library management and service provision, highlighting advancements like automated metadata handling, and AI's role in facilitating efficient access to library resources.

Evaluation: This article offers numerous insights into the integration of AI in libraries, particularly in the context of collection development. AI's potential to revolutionize collection development is evident through its capabilities in analyzing large datasets, predicting user preferences, and automating cataloging processes. This can lead to more efficient and user-centric collection management, where libraries can leverage AI to curate collections that are more aligned with user needs and trends. However, the article also underscores the need for careful consideration of ethical implications and the challenges posed by AI, such as ensuring data privacy and addressing the digital divide. Ultimately, this discussion about AI's role in enhancing library services, including collection development, is both timely and relevant, as it offers a roadmap for libraries to adapt to technological advancements while being mindful of the potential pitfalls. And as such, this article serves as a crucial resource for library professionals seeking to understand and harness AI's power in collection development and other areas of library science.

To Float or Not to Float by Noel Rutherford

Banyoles, Pla de l'Estany, Girona, Spain.. [Photography]. Retrieved from Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. 
https://quest.eb.com/search/137_3143344/1/137_3143344/cite

DiBello, Amy

Rutherford, N. (2016). To float or not to float? Inside Nashville PL's examination of the method's performance. Library Journal, 141(6), 46.

To float? Or not to float? 

That is the question for many public libraries.
Whether 'tis nobler in each branch to suffer sacrificing precious shelf space to accommodate too many copies of certain titles or to have each branch possess their own copy.

Noel Rutherford is a collection development and acquisitions manager at the Nashville Public Library. Her article discusses her library system's float experience, which follows in the footsteps of many libraries who have "floated" their collections to decrease hold transit time and add variety to their collections without purchasing more books. A patron driven collection was another objective of implementing floating, along with the hopes for increased circulation statistics.

As a paraprofessional who works in a public library with a floating collection, I have a ton of opinions on floating collections. I am anti-float and cling fiercely to my biases. However, I'll be keeping my $00.02 on this topic until I read a few more articles about the pros and cons of float. 

Librarians and Journalists

HOE'S PRINTING PRESS, 1847. - Richard Hoe's ten-cylinder revolving newspaper printing press, 1847. Contemporary color engraving.. [Fine Art]. Retrieved from Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest.
https://quest.eb.com/search/140_1631411/1/140_1631411/cite

DiBello, Amy 

Beard, D. (2018). Tale of 2 polls: What do librarians have that journalists don’t?. Poynter. Retrieved 28 February 2018, from https://www.poynter.org/news/tale-2-polls-what-do-librarians-have-journalists-dont

American journalists are being stigmatized not only by Donald Trump but most of the public. Journalist David Beard cites The Knight Foundation and Gallup polls that reveal only 33 percent of Americans trust the news media. Of 18-29-year-olds polled, only 22 percent trust the media.

American complaints against the media include bias, sensationalism, and attempting to influence the way news is reported. A Pew Foundation poll reports that 78 percent of Americans trust their public libraries to help them find reliable information. Millennials, at a rate of 85 percent praise libraries for helping them learn new things. Over 65 percent of Americans claim that libraries enrich their lives and help them to "grow as people" (Beard, 2018).

As newspapers across the country fold, libraries are stepping into the void by offering access to databases and research help. The Albuquerque Journal still exists and is the first item our patrons request upon entering the library. We also offer access to Zinio Digital Magazines and NewsBank.

People who frequented their libraries as children have fond memories of story time, crafts, the thrill of getting their first library card, and being able to take books home with them. The association of a librarian as a non-judgmental helper can endure through our formative years. Laura Saunders, an associate professor in library science at Simmons College contrasts this with the negative associations' people have with the news media. Saunders praises librarians for offering GED, ESL, and computers classes to the disenfranchised, day shelter for the homeless, and a sense of community for patrons. "Librarians are taught to help people access and evaluate information, but not to judge people's questions or motives, but rather to support their intellectual freedom," said Saunders.

Tom Huang, an assistant managing editor for the Dallas Morning News suggests that newspapers and local news channels should work closely with libraries in a collaborative effort to engage the community in what libraries have to offer and give journalists an opportunity to show the public "what they do to provide accurate information." Huang's goal is to get patrons to participate in community meetings and city council hearings. The Morning News has trained high school students on journalism techniques (Beard, 2018).

Huang also believes that bonding with librarians would give journalism an improved image. For areas not served by newspapers, libraries, which are trusted by the community could become what Huang refers to as "a hub for news collection". The element of trust required to train people about journalism would refrain from investigative pieces, but focus on the beginning steps of journalism. "Ultimately, we could train librarians to do some of this stuff," Huang says. "It's not like it's rocket science."

I agree. It's not like it's rocket science. It's library science. 

Our library system's relationship with the media is cordial but we rely on our director to speak to the media in order to explain our policies, respond to questions, and give the media correct information instead of playing telephone. Our librarians have also put together an excellent LibGuide about fake news. We are sensitive to our patrons' concerns and the way we address these concerns is by offering them information but leaving them to their own opinions and conclusions.

The quotation "A truly great library contains something in it to offend everybody." is attributed to Jo Godwin and sums up one of the unavoidable facts of collection management: we will often have to answer to someone, whether it is an offended reader or an inquisitive reporter about what the library carries and offers to the public. Beard refers to librarians as journalism's "information gathering cousins" who are riding an enviable "cloud of popularity". I think boundaries are necessary, even among cousins, but we're always here to help check the facts.

The Common Core and Children's Literature

Martinez, Evelyn

Wadham, R. L., & Young, T. A. (n.d.). Integrating children's literature through the common core state standards. Retrieved October 19, 2016.

Summary Notes: In the first chapter, the authors discuss the Common Core State Standards generally and how they were created.  They also discuss what it is and commonly held misconceptions about the state standards.  In chapter two the authors discuss how reading fiction and non-fiction texts along with other foundational skills such as writing, speaking, language and listening is the centerpiece of the standards and integrating these skills across all content areas and subjects including math, science and social studies.  In chapter three, text complexity is examined as well as qualitative and quantitative measures that should be understood to provide students with appropriate texts.  They also discuss the importance of considering the dynamics of readers and tasks when considering appropriate texts.  Chapter four examines the importance and centrality of children’s books in teaching across the curriculum.  Children’s books are very versatile because they include all genres and a variety of formats which can be used in all content areas.  Selecting appropriate children’s text is also discussed as well as the importance of assessing the text complexity in children’s texts.  In chapter five, the importance of Inquiry Learning, the process of learning through a process that is student centered, collaborative, active as well as well scaffolded and structured.  The authors also discuss the need for students to have “21 Century Skills” meaning being college and workplace ready.  They discuss the importance of students to be able to do close and critical reading which means to be able to decipher complex text independently.

Evaluation: This is an important resource for classroom teachers, Teacher Librarians and Librarians working with children.  The Common Core State Standards are central in public school education and the information provided will be extremely helpful and beneficial in order to assist and support children on an academic level.  The text offers background information that is helpful to understand curriculum needs of teachers.  The text also offers additional links to resources that will further assist readers to better serve readers and user of children’s texts.

Students as library advocates

Mitchell, Lillie Gale

Deuink, A. & Seiler, M. (2006). Students as library advocates: The library student advisory board at Pennsylvania State Schuylkill. College & Research Libraries News 67 (1): 18-21.

Summary:

"Students, as library advocates, are a powerful marketing tool (Deuink & Seiler, 2006)”, and this article covers how having student advocates builds and benefits the development of a library's collection. A case study was used based on a small college campus establishing a student group attracting both residential and commuter students. The initial group was composed of student that had worked together before through other organizations, but not necessarily library users. The diversity of the club was communicated by recruiting library student workers, members bringing their friends to meetings, and the reputation earned as a fun and exciting club.

This student group was empowered to help spread a positive message about the library to the student body which improved the library’s collections and services. The group acted like a public library’s “friends group”. Their activities included purchasing collection materials such as books, DVDs, and a color printer; highlighting new themes each month, developing a “menu book” of campus restaurants; and acting as library volunteers when needed.

Additionally a summary on how to create a successful student advisory group based on the two years of experience with the club was included. Here are the key points of a successful student advisory group (Deuink & Seiler, 2006):

•   Recruit new members throughout the year.
•  Be available and responsive to the students, in person and in the virtual world.
• Conduct monthly meetings to keep the ideas and actions flowing and to gain continuous feedback.
• Listen to students’ ideas and suggestions and treat them with respect.
• Take actions on ideas proposed by club members.
• Show enthusiasm for the club and the library by letting your students be creative and not afraid to express their ideas.
• Serve food at the meetings

Evaluation:

Even though this article applied to using advocates in an academic library setting as a marketing tool, certainly this process can also be applied to other library systems as well. Collaboration is key to having stakeholders buy into any organization, therefore this is a reminder that the library is a business. As mentioned in the article the student advocates group could be treated like a “friends group” therefore valued members of the library.

Collect or Curate?

Mitchell, Ruth

Mardis, Marcia A. (2015). Collect or curate? Open education resources and the future of the school library catalog. School Library Monthly, 31(4), 29-31.

With more and more Open Education Resources (OER) available, there is a need for teacher librarians to curate information for students and teachers.  In addition, school librarians can curate the information to provide access to up-to-date and accurate information.  According the American Association of School Librarians, “the digital content has probably become just as important as the print materials; the increasing reliance on OERs will only increase the need for the development of a strategy for onsite curation of existing and locally created material”. Mardis and her associates created Web2MARC software that creates a MARC record from the URL’s webpage that can be downloaded to the school’s library catalog. In addition, it matches the resource to CCSS and NGSS. According to the article, "the school library catalog can be a vehicle for promoting interdisciplinary connections".

Using Web2MARC sounds like an easy way to add "connections" and standards to the school library catalog for all users.

Collection-less Collections of the Future

Anderson, R. (2011). Collections 2021: the future of the library collection is not a collection. Serials, 24(3), 211-215.

Summary: 

In the above article, Rick Anderson offers his opinions on what libraries, their services, and function within society will be like in the year 2021.  The article speculates about how libraries must adapt to not only survive but thrive in a time of shrinking budgets and rapidly expanding digital services.  Anderson projects several feasible changes in the collection management practices of future libraries, most notably that “patron-driven acquisition (PDA) will be the new assumption” and that “most research libraries’ print acquisitions will be created at the point of need...and many will never be added to a permanent collection” (p. 213).  In addition to these predictions, he suggests the potential roadblocks that may hinder libraries in achieving purpose and relevance in the digital age. 

Response:

            While Anderson’s article speculates on changes we might see in collection management by 2012, his suggestions initiate questions challenging whether or not information professionals are doing enough in the present to prepare for the library collections that will be necessary for future users.  If our patrons now have the ability to access information virtually from nearly anywhere, what do we need to do to stay competitive with other educational services?  Anderson’s prediction “that the very idea of the ‘collection’ will be overhauled...in favor of more dynamic access to a virtually unlimited flow of information products” sounded extreme to me initially; however, in reality, patrons are already viewing library collections in this way (p. 215).  For instance, at academic libraries, students rarely consult the physical reference collection housed in the library; rather, they actively utilize the collection of web databases for their reference needs.  With the growing availability and popularity of digital publications and research services, it seems very much worthwhile to consider the importance of aiming collection development towards more sustainable, web-based information resources.

Unusual Collections: Oddities and Necessities

Bailey, Rachel

Tomka, Pam. (2014) Unusual Collections: Oddities and Necessities. ILA Reporter, Aug, 4-7.

Summary: This article gives examples of libraries that provide unusual collections and services to their patrons. Examples include cake pans, Halloween costumes, toys and even fishing poles!

Evaluation: I think this is a great idea, but wonder how some libraries could afford this service. An early-childhood center in my community lets parents check out toys from them. The problem is, they use a very loose system and have a hard time keeping the toys in tact. This would be a great service for the libraries in my community to use since there are a lot of young children that frequent the library.