NASIG 2024

Talk by tribal historian Warren Seyler and author Jack Nisbet about the relationship of people with the Spokane River before, during and after the creation of the city we know today as Spokane.

TBD

Abstract: In an era dominated by information accessibility, the question of how we search is paramount. "Doing our own research" has become a ubiquitous facet of daily life, but the world of search is dramatically changing. This presentation delves into the intricate dynamics shaping the way we perceive and interact with the world of search. It scrutinizes how our worldviews impact keywords and how these phrases shape the information returned to us. It will also explore the interconnected nature of various online platforms, explaining how absence of information on Wikipedia can reverberate, impacting prominent search engines like Google. Central to the discussion is the concept of "data voids" — instances where information vacuums are created and exploited for political or corporate gain. By examining these voids, the presentation aims to unravel the complex interplay between user-driven content generation and the manipulation of information landscapes by external forces.

Bio Dr. Francesca Tripodi is an Assistant Professor at the School of Information and Library Science and a Principal Investigator at the Center for Information Technology and Public Life at UNC-Chapel Hill. She has twice testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, explaining to senators how relevance is gamed to drive ideologically based queries and spread conspiratorial logic. In addition to her research on search engines, Dr. Tripodi’s work has documented how cis-gender women who meet the threshold for inclusion on Wikipedia are nearly twice as likely to be considered non-notable subjects than their cis-male peers. In 2023, Dr. Tripodi received the Award for Impact and Excellence from the Center for an Informed Public at the University of Washington in recognition of her research on fostering an informed society.

Program Description:
​​​​In the rapidly advancing realm of artificial intelligence (AI), libraries are well-positioned to harness these technologies for greater efficiency and impact. The University of Toronto Libraries is embracing this opportunity by exploring the use of AI, particularly ChatGPT, to enable more robust data analysis and enhance data-driven initiatives. This session will explore how artificial intelligence can simplify and improve data analysis, leading to more informed and strategic decision-making within the library context. The presentation will illustrate ChatGPT's effectiveness in cleaning and organizing disparate data, automating data enrichments, and enhancing the overall quality of library data. Additionally, the session will explore ChatGPT’s capabilities in data exploration and visualization, highlighting how AI can generate deeper insights and make data more accessible to stakeholders. Another key aspect of the discussion will be the use of ChatGPT in predictive analytics, showcasing the potential of AI to anticipate user behaviors and guide collection development. This session aims to demystify the application of artificial intelligence in library environments, illustrating its power to streamline data analysis processes, unlock new potential for data management, and enhance strategic decision-making in libraries.
Learning Outcomes:
​​​​Understand the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in advancing library data analytics.

Gain practical examples of how artificial intelligence can be utilized in library collection analysis.

Discover how AI facilitates comprehensive data exploration and the creation of insightful visualizations for improved decision-making.

Learn from practical experiences in applying artificial intelligence in library collection analysis, equipping participants to adopt similar technologies in their home institutions.

Program Description:
At Indiana University Libraries - Bloomington, Scholarly Communication librarians continue to explore methods to decrease costs for students. A pilot project was developed to obtain course materials data in order to purchase multi user ebooks for classes.This is a practice that peer libraries like Illinois State University and Virginia Commonwealth University have utilized to further course material affordability. Purchasing eBooks is seen as complementary to OER efforts because these are course materials that often do not have an OER equivalent; in other words, library acquisition is one of the only replacement options. There were a number of hurdles to the project, including working with both external and internal partners, determining ebook licensing from existing data, and working with a tight timeline. The project has now progressed into an ongoing effort, as we refine the workflow and look for more ways to automate the process.

This session will provide a high-level overview of how the project was implemented, with specific details about the workflow that other libraries can adapt to their context, including identifying partners, getting funding, securing and cleaning course material data, comparing this data to existing holdings and licenses, purchasing content, and outreach to professors. Presenters will also provide a conceptual framework for other libraries considering similar initiatives. This will include discussing balancing saving students money and extending the collection to be more responsive to the curriculum with creating a service that doesn’t transform the publishing industry or instructor behavior. The session will conclude with ideas for scaling IUB’s program down so that libraries of all sizes can create a program that is appropriate for their context. These options might include raising awareness about electronic resources that libraries already own, collaborating with subject librarians to search for course materials less systematically, or creating mechanisms for professors to engage with the library as part of their course material selection process.
Learning Outcomes:
​​​​A conceptual framework for a course material purchasing project
Overview of project implement at Indiana University Bloomington and analysis of the impact
Advice for how a similar project can be adapted to different contexts
Discussion of how purchasing complements or might detract from the goals of OER programs

• Harrassowitz
• ACS
• AIP Publishing
• Bloomsbury
• Cambridge University Press
• CloudSource
• Springer Nature
• Association for Computing Machinery
• Ingram
• Duke University Press

Program Description:
The abilities outlined in NASIG’s Core Competencies for Electronic Resources, Print Serials Management, and Scholarly Communication underscore the breadth and complexity of library workers’ expertise and the variegated challenges they contend with. As a result of their aptitude for cultivating and maintaining a wide range of skills, library workers have an established reputation as adaptable, versatile, and solution-oriented practitioners.

While this is not a new development in the context of libraries, these attributes are becoming more desired and valued across the information industry. Consequently, appreciation of library skills outside of libraries is growing and library workers are applying their technical, managerial, and negotiation skills in a wide variety of scenarios. This shift can create opportunities to extend awareness of library needs and foster new collaborative dynamics that enrich both libraries and publishers/vendors.

Join our panel of former librarians turned vendors as they explore how their library expertise seamlessly translated into vendor roles. Discover valuable skills and competencies that bridge these worlds, learn how this dynamic can enhance the products and services vendors provide, and gain insights into the evolving role of information professionals.
Learning Outcomes:
​​​​Following this session, participants will be able to:
Identify which skills sets are transferable from libraries to vendors/publishers
Identify positions and experience that prime librarians for vendor positions
Understand what types of positions librarians hold at vendor organizations

• EBSCO
• MDPI
• Oxford University Press
• Emerald Publishing
• GIDEON Informatics
• IOP Publishing
• SciFree
• Sage
• Taylor & Francis
• WT Cox

Program Description:
Join us for an interactive session focused on safeguarding libraries, publishers, and end users against cyber threats. Learn about the collaborative strategies libraries and publishers employ to combat unauthorized access incidents, ensuring data protection. Key topics covered in this session include preventing unauthorized access, effective documentation, and communication, overcoming collaboration challenges, and promoting user education. This session is open anyone interested in enhancing cybersecurity. Gain insights into the significance of library-publisher collaboration and practical steps to establish or enhance these partnerships. Don't miss this opportunity to fortify institutional cybersecurity.
Learning Outcomes:
Increase understanding of cyber threats at academic institutions, grasping the mechanisms behind unauthorized access incidents and proactive measures for prevention.
Obtain practical steps to establish or enhance collaborations between libraries and publishers for a robust cybersecurity framework.
Acquire real-life examples and best practices for responding to cyber risks in the library and publishing domain.
Explore the intricacies of coordinating cross-functional responses, addressing challenges faced in collaborative efforts.
Discover methods to promote cybersecurity awareness and cultivate good security practices among users.

Program Description:
Some big happenings are coming soon in the world of internet browsers. Building on previous panel sessions presented at the CORE Forum, the Charleston Conference, and ER&L,  this speaker's goal is to have a lively discussion about the basics of browser changes, focusing on why and what has changed, specifically over the last quarter or two. Real-world examples are both sought out and encouraged during this discussion. This speaker, a member of the American Library Association’s CORE Federated Authentication Committee, will relate what we have learned and focused on during the intervening months after more browser changes are rolled out.
 Focusing on NASIG-specific topics, this speaker would like to evaluate how users grapple with the changes through the NASIG Core Competencies for Electronic Resources Librarians lens. Particular attention will be given to the Lifecycle of Electronic Resources, Technology, and Effective Communication sections. This speaker aims to create a collaborative network for library personnel to rely upon for assistance in navigating browser changes.
Learning Outcomes:
Learners will be able to describe the rationale for browser change, specifically focusing on third-party cookies, IP obfuscation, and link decoration.
Learners will be able to appraise how the browser changes could impact their workflows, both public-facing and internal.
 Learners will compare and contrast their strategies for communicating these changes to their patrons and institutional colleagues.

Peace has broken out in the galaxy, the Data Star (formerly known as the Death Star) has been repurposed as a giant data repository. The Librarian and her trusty crew collect data and assist star systems with questions about compliance, business models, and research integrity. Watch for some of your favorite characters–in their new roles in this timeline, including the Jedi, the droids, and more. The determined crew will be joined by brave audience members who seek solutions to conflicting data mandates, interoperability issues, researcher fatigue, and more. How many songs will you recognize? May the Force–er, the Source–be with you!