Category Archives: International conferences

Dr. Jessica BrodeFrank to present “Digital Literacy & Crowdsourcing: Tackling Bias” | Blog by Helen Chan, CPDWL Section Chair

IFLA CPDWL | WLIC 2025, Astana

Dr. Jessica BrodeFrank, Clinical Assistant Professor and Digital Librarian at the University of Illinois Chicago, has prepared an insightful presentation titled “Digital Literacy & Crowdsourcing: Tackling Descriptive and Algorithmic Bias through Doing” for the upcoming IFLA CPDWL Open Session: “Navigating Opportunities and Challenges of Digital Transformation”, which will take place this August during WLIC 2025 in Astana. Her presentation focuses on addressing the intersections of digital literacy, crowdsourcing, and ethical artificial intelligence (AI), offering actionable strategies to mitigate bias and promote inclusivity in digital spaces.

Libraries and museums, as trusted sources of knowledge and community engagement, are uniquely positioned to advance digital literacy. Dr. BrodeFrank highlights their key role in educating the public about the opportunities, challenges, and ethical implications of digital technologies. By fostering lifelong learning, these institutions can empower individuals to navigate the digital world responsibly and effectively.

Ethics in AI-Labor Ethics image of wooden hand with puppet strings including text about AI paying Kenyan laborers less than $2 an hour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1. Presentation slide from Dr. Jessica BrodeFrank on AI labor ethics, focusing on outsourced labor and wage disparities in the AI industry.

One of the core aspects of her presentation is the importance of metadata. Dr. BrodeFrank emphasizes that metadata, described by Tammy Lee as “the connective tissue of the internet”, is essential for shaping discoverability and amplifying diversity. Without accurate and inclusive metadata, underrepresented voices remain invisible in digital environments, making metadata creation a critical tool for equity and inclusion.

Dr. BrodeFrank also highlights the potential of crowdsourcing as a participatory method to engage the public. By involving communities in metadata creation and cataloging, projects like Zooniverse and the Smithsonian Transcription Center show how libraries and museums can transform passive users into active contributors. Crowdsourcing enhances the discoverability of collections while fostering a sense of ownership and connection among participants.

AI Performance onDDC Exercises for ChatGPT, CoPilot, and Gemini categories: correct, acceptable alternative, incorrect, refusal, final grade, no. of valid DDCs, Percentage Valid.

Figure 2. Presentation slide from Dr. Jessica BrodeFrank comparing the performance of AI chatbots (ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini) in DDC and LCC exercises.

Her presentation further addresses the ethical challenges of AI, including algorithmic bias, labor exploitation, and environmental concerns. Dr. BrodeFrank explains how AI models trained on biased data can perpetuate systemic discrimination. She also highlights the environmental cost of these systems, noting that a single ChatGPT query generates 4.32 grams of CO2 emissions, underscoring the need for a sustainable approach to AI use.

To tackle these challenges, Dr. BrodeFrank proposes actionable strategies, such as using crowdsourced metadata to surface underrepresented voices, ensuring transparency in cataloging practices, and raising awareness of the ethical and environmental implications of AI. These strategies reinforce the role of libraries and museums as leaders in fostering inclusive and equitable digital spaces.

For those interested in exploring her work further, Dr. BrodeFrank’s materials are available:

Paper: Download “Digital Literacy & Crowdsourcing: Tackling Descriptive and Algorithmic Bias through Doing”

Presentation Slides: Download PPT File

Recording: Watch the Presentation

Dr. BrodeFrank’s contribution to the IFLA CPDWL Open Session, “Navigating Opportunities and Challenges of Digital Transformation” offers valuable insights for library and information professionals. By addressing digital literacy, combating algorithmic bias, and utilizing innovative tools like crowdsourcing, her work inspires cultural institutions to take meaningful steps toward creating a more inclusive and equitable digital future.

Macau Open Access Week: Navigating the Open Access Landscape

The Macau Open Access Seminar, co-hosted by the Macao Academic Library Alliance (MALA) and University of Macau (UM), was held on 22 Oct 2024, at the UM Library to echo the International Open Access week 2024. The seminar is part of a celebration series to mark the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of Macao Academic Library Alliance (MALA), a collaborative initiative involving ten higher education institution libraries in Macau.

The Open Access week continues with the theme from last year, “Community over Commercialization,” addressing the importance of prioritizing community-driven initiatives over profit from open access publishing.

The seminars featured speakers from IEEE, ACS and IPO publishing, giving the library and researcher’s perspective on open access. Speakers highlighted issues on promoting equitable access to open access development and benefits. Reseachers also shared criteria for evaluating the quality of OA journals, tips in avoiding predatory journals, and how to enhance research impact through OA publishing. The library also played an active role in supporting OA publishing by introducing different funding mechanisms like inclusion of transformative agreements and collaboration among research offices in nagivating funding opportunities.

Panel discussion on Open Access Publishing by different stakeholders, including researchers, publishers and library representatives.

Panel discussion on Open Access Publishing by different stakeholders, including researchers, publishers and library representatives.

A highlight of the seminar included the launch of the Open Access Resources Portal, a sub portal under the MALA hub that collects open access resources published by Macao academics, local organizations and government units. The portal enables users to search across all Macao OA in a one-stop search platform, aligning with the global movement towards open science and transparency in research and education.

Launch of the Macao Open Access Resources Portal on 22 Oct 2024 with participants onstage.

Launch of the Macao Open Access Resources Portal on 22 Oct 2024.

The seminar was an impactful experience with a panel dicussion to raise awareness on OA for all participants, as well as a forward-thinking discussion on the future of open access. There is a need for different stakeholders like publishers, researchers, institutions, and governments to enhance funding models, as well as stronger policies to support OA initiatives. A balance between community proirities and commercial interests is also a crucial component for sustainability of OA.  Collaborative efforts are the key to create an integrated and effective system to support scholarly communications.

Russian Libraries Participate in the Global Agenda

On the 12th of August 2024 the Russian Library Association (RLA) Section for International Cooperation and IFLA Russian Language Center, based in the Russian State Library, held a round table on issues related to the IFLA international library agenda. The meeting was impeccably organized by the M. Rudomino All Russian State Library for Foreign Literature – Headquarters of RLA Section for International Cooperation – and included more than 60 online and offline participants.

Participants at the Russian Library Association (RLA) Section for International Cooperation and IFLA Russian Language Center meeting.

Annual August meetings are usually organized to discuss participation of the Russian library community in IFLA WLIC and in international library associations. This year’s agenda focused on strategic issues and priorities of Russian libraries while working in international field.

Vadim Duda, President of the Russian Library Association, President of the Library Assembly of Eurasia, and Director General of the Russian State Library delivered his vision of the RLA priorities marking the following directions: development of horizontal links with library associations and institutions that share common approaches and willingness to cooperate; strengthening of RLA’s role as a central platform for high-profile international events of the Russian library community; ensuring effective and productive participation of Russian libraries in Astana 2025 WLIC, including high level representation of delegates at the CIS Caucus.

Svetlana Gorokhova and Daria Beliakova, IFLA CPDWL SC. Members, moderate the session.

Svetlana Gorokhova, moderator of the meeting, RLA Board Member and Chair of the RLA Section for International Cooperation, and IFLA CPDWL SC member, covered activities of the Section  and defined key principles of international library cooperation as the following: learning differently but never lose your own; automatic transfer of practice doesn’t guarantee effective results; successful partnerships always require value compatibility; partnership is always about equality  and mutual benefit – it is a two-way street; practical solutions are trendy, no to interaction for the sake of it; international exchange serves to develop national library initiatives to ensure steady development of the country.

Representatives of the Russian national, federal, regional, and central municipal libraries participated in the meeting to discuss Russian libraries involvement in the work of international professional associations: the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), International Library Union “Silk Road”,  the BRICS Alliance of National Libraries, and the Library Assembly of Eurasia.

Representatives of the Russian national, federal, regional, and central municipal libraries discuss Russian libraries involvement in the work of international professional associations.

IFLA news was covered by three speakers: Pavel Kuzmin, Europe Regional Division Committee Member of the IFLA Regional Council, Director General of the M. Rudomino All Russian State Library for Foreign Literature, talked on his experience of working on the Division Committee and on the agenda of the forthcoming offline Division meeting in Barcelona.

Daria Belyakova, Vice Chair of the RLA Section for International Cooperation and former IFLA CPDWL SC Member talked on the IFLA Information Futures Summit to be held in Brisbane, Australia on September 30 – October 3, 2024. World librarians are waiting for the results of the Summit and especially for the updates on the IFLA Trend Report and IFLA Strategy 2024 -2029.

Albina Krymskaya, Chair of IFLA Section on Education and Training and Deputy Dean of LIS School of the St. Petersburg State Institute of Culture, spoke on international research activities of the Section and examples of effective LIS student collaboration.

Peter Lapo (Kazakhstan), Asia and Oceania Regional Division Committee Member of the IFLA Regional Council DC Member, spoke on the Astana 2025 IFLA WLIC and broad opportunities open for the Russian library community in Kazakhstan, a country with many  Russian speakers. Specialists taking part in the meeting declared meaningful participation of the Russian delegation in IFLA WLIC 2025, as one of the priorities of the RLA international cooperation.

Irina Gayshun, coordinator of the IFLA Russian Language Center; Director General of the Library Assembly of Eurasia, introduced the participants to the activities of the BRICS Alliance of National Libraries and the Library Assembly of Eurasia. She presented the goals and structure of professional associations and key directions of their activities.

Daria Belyakova spoke to the participants about the International Library Union “Silk Road” and Russian libraries involvement in its activities.

In the final part of the meeting, Russian Library Association in cooperation with Serbian Library Association announced the launch of RU:RS Library Forum – a platform for international library cooperation between two national professional communities.  The idea of the Forum sprang from the participation of SLA President Jelena Glisovic in the All-Russia Library Congress (May 2024, Kazan, Russia) – a meeting where more than 90 foreign specialists took part thanks to the efforts of the RLA Section on International Cooperation and the Russian State Library. The first meeting of the RU:RS Library Forum will take place during Annual Conference of the Serbian Library Association, in Panchevo (Serbia) in December 2024.

Participants of the Round Table concluded that international cooperation of librarians is an effective and powerful instrument of professional development. The process tends to become more diverse and encompasses more players reacting to global changes.  Library diplomacy is a living mechanism that provides space for mutual respect of national agendas.

Learn about Virtual Reality at the Library 2.0 Virtual Conference on March 29, 2022

I am very excited to announce the 2022 line up of free global virtual conferences offered through the Library 2.0 virtual conference series! The three conferences this year focus on Virtual Reality; Urban Librarianship; and Privacy.

The first conference of the year, Virtual Reality and Learning: Leading the Way, will take place next week on March 29th 2022 from 12pm-3pm US-Pacific time.

This mini-conference is part of the Library 2.0 Worldwide Virtual Conference series, which was started in 2011, to build community among information professionals, provide a forum for discussion about important topics, and learn from each other across the world.

Virtual reality is a growing technology trend for libraries, and it’s a technology that is used to support learning and interaction in a wide range of environments. Sara Jones and Tammy Westergard both have extensive experience with deploying virtual reality in libraries, which was valuable as they helped us organize this mini-conference.  We look forward to hearing from them about their VR experience, as well as engaging with many others to discuss this important topic.

The conference kicks off with a one hour opening keynote panel discussion. We’ll hear from the following people:

  • Sara Jones, State Librarian, Washington State Library
  • Tammy Westergard, Senior Workforce Development Leader, Project Coordinator – U.S. Department of Education
  • Greg Lucas, California State Librarian
  • Milton Chen, Independent Speaker, Author, Board Member
  • Catherine Devine, Director, Business Strategy – Libraries and Museums, Microsoft Worldwide Education
  • Karsten Heise, Director of Strategic Programs, Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED)
  • Dana Ryan, PhD, Special Assistant to the President, Truckee Meadows Community College

During the next 90 minutes, you will have the chance to attend three 30-minute sessions – choosing from 18 presentations. Sample presentation titles include:

  • The Virtual Library: Making Interactive Online Tours with 360° Images, Augmented Reality, and Virtual Reality Technologies
  • An Overview and Understanding of the Metaverse
  • Libraries as the Center of Virtual Reality Collaboration

The conference ends with a 30-minute closing keynote session.

Registration is free; sessions will be recorded and made available after the event.

Thank you to founding partner The School of Information at San José State University for making the Library 2.0 conference series available, and to our partner organizations The Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) and Califa Group for their support of this mini-conference.

Mark your calendars for upcoming Library 2.0 virtual mini-conferences in 2022; both will be held from 12-3pm Pacific time and will be free and held online.

  • July 14, 2022 – Urban Librarianship: Innovative Ideas, Active Leadership, and Best Practices.
  • October 13, 2022 – Privacy

I hope you will join us on March 29th, 2022 to learn about virtual reality!

Digital Transformation and the Libraries in Extraordinary Circumstances

Digital Transformation and the Libraries in Extraordinary Circumstances

By Loida Garcia-Febo, ALA President 2018-2019, International Library Consultant, CPDWL Advisor

The Croatian Library Association, the National and University Library in Zagreb, and the University Library of Rijeka are hosting the first hybrid library conference I’ve attended since the pandemic. The theme is Digital Transformation and the Libraries in Extraordinary Circumstances. The hosts and the librarians are visionaries stepping up to provide a quality event to discuss a timely topic impacting everyone and everything on our planet.

The Croatian Ministry of Culture, the Director of the National and University Library, the President of the Croatian Library Council, and the President of the Croatian Library Association- all welcomed attendees expressing their joy and support of the event.  Everyone is thrilled about this opportunity!

This extraordinary effort showcases the determination of librarians to implement strategies to keep attendees secure while attending an in-person event, and strategies to use the latest technology to broadcast an event to benefit the continuing professional development of library workers nationally.

The theme of my opening keynote built on my speech for the 2019 Austrian Library Association Conference on “Artificial Intelligence in Libraries” was “Libraries and digital transformation: supersonic library services in the 2020s.”

The pandemic ushered libraries into full digital transformation. To meet the needs of library users and researchers accessing services only online, libraries faced a steep learning curve to implement elements of automation, AI, and machine learning. While libraries have been discussing and exploring digital transformation for years, the pandemic accelerated the process.

Our world and the global information environment were and are still being transformed by the profound impact of COVID-19 on people, society, and the planet. We are living in the era of digital transformation for the people. Digital transformation is a priority in the world, and it is people-centered.

My talk will be available on the Croatian Library Association website soon, but for now I will share an overview of salient points:

I also delved into:

  • what we have learned during the pandemic on our way to digital transformation,
  • explained how libraries can sustain these changes,
  • went over areas of concern,
  • the new requirements for successful librarians in this field,
  • what are the social, sustainability, and wellness implications for libraries/librarians,
  • how we are creating the future today by forecasting, and
  • what we need to do to achieve full digital transformation

Overall, I emphasized, technologies alone do not determine results. They must be adopted embedding our professional values and in particular, social, economic, and political contexts that influence their development and use.

The social inclusion of the community is the consolidation of democracy. All of these will help us to rebuild a just and equitable society transformed by technologies.

—-

Useful logistics for this successful and secure conference that might help you to develop your next hybrid library event:

The conference, attended by 100 librarians on site, started with a large number of attendees, including myself, traveling by bus from Croatia’s capital, Zagreb to the beautiful coastal city of Lovran. Everyone on the bus wore masks and followed security and physical distance protocols.

At the conference, attendees must wear masks at all times as well, screen themselves to check their temperature, and use hand sanitizer when entering the meeting rooms. Virtual attendees participate in an engaging event featuring speakers and PPT slides on the same screen and opportunities to engage in various meeting rooms according to themes.

The conference name tags include a QR code for contactless information about all things conference-related. Bonus applause for beautiful conference bags and an exhibits room featuring prominent library vendors.

It is amazing to see how in-person attendees have big smiles as they greet one and another after so long without in-person conferences. For clarity, big smiling eyes when wearing masks are lovely. Big smiles at mealtimes when masks are removed are like the sun shining on us.

Recognition to an incredible national library team:

  • Dijana Machala, President of the Croatian Library Association
  • Ivanka Stričević, Director National and University Library of Croatia
  • Jelena Glavić-Perčin, delegate of the Minister of Culture and Media
  • Dejana Golenko, President of Law Libraries Section, Croatian Library Association
  • Lea Lazzarich, Director of Libraries for the University of Rikeja
  • Tatjana Aparac Jelušic, President of the Croatian Library Council

Russian and US Libraries Supporting the Well-Being of Individuals and Communities Thursday, 3 June 2021, 9am CDT/5pm MSK by Svetlana A. Gorokhova and Daria Beliakova

The US Russia Library Dialogue, in partnership with American Library Association’s International Relations Office, and the Russian Library Association will host a free webinar “Russian and US Libraries Supporting the Well-Being of Individuals and Communities” on Thursday, June 3, 2021, 9am CDT/5pm MSK. Register — https://lnkd.in/eTNsW4Z — in advance for this webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session. The webinar will be conducted in English and Russian (with translation).

As we head into a second year of living with the coronavirus pandemic, libraries remain second responders helping their communities navigate these uncertain times. In this webinar, US and Russian library specialists will share strategies for how libraries in both countries can support their communities, including the social and emotional well-being of library users and library staff, as we start to emerge from isolation and libraries reopen. The panelists will discuss challenges in returning to in-person service, strategies for supporting individuals and communities, and how collective self-care can become an ongoing part of library service.

Join us for a lively conversation as we discuss where we are, and where we would like to go as we work with our communities to navigate these uncertain times.

 

PANELISTS

US Speakers: Nicole Cooke, Augusta Baker Endowed Chair and Associate Professor

School of Information Science, University of South Carolina

Loida Garcia-Febo, International Library Consultant

Russian Speakers: Anna Galeeva, Deputy Director, Novosibirsk Regional Library, Head of Da Vinci Casa Art Platform

Liudmila Pronina, Director, Tambov Regional Library, LIS Professor, Tambov University

Moderators: Svetlana Gorokhova, Russian Co-chair US Russia Library Dialogue

Ellen Knutson, US Co-chair US Russia Library Dialogue

Interpreter: Valeriy Volozov

 

Как российские и американские библиотеки обеспечивают индивидуальное и общественное благополучие своих пользователей.

Четверг, 3 июня 2021 года, 17:00 (время московское).

Российско-Американский библиотечный диалог, под эгидой Американской и Российской библиотечных ассоциаций проводят вебинар «Как российские и американские библиотеки обеспечивают индивидуальное и общественное благополучие своих пользователей». Вебинар состоится в четверг, 3 июня 2021 года, в 17:00 по московскому времени. Ссылка для регистрации…….После регистрации Вы получите подтверждение и информацию по участи в вебинаре. Мероприятие пройдет на русском и английском языке. Зарегистрированные участники смогут воспользоваться синхронным переводом.

Уже второй год мы живем в условиях  пандемии, когда библиотеки являются вторым по важности (после экстренных служб) эшелоном, помогая  своим сообществам эффективно существовать в такое непростое время. Во время вебинара российские и американские специалисты поделятся своим опытом по поддержке своих сообществ, включая вопросы социального и эмоционального благополучия своих пользователей и сотрудников, во время открытия библиотек и возвращения их из изоляции  к полноценной жизни. Спикеры из обеих стран обсудят те вызовы, с которыми сталкиваются библиотеки, возвращаясь к физическому обслуживанию населения; какие стратегии вырабатывают библиотеки, чтобы поддержать свое сообщество и каждого из его членов; как сделать обеспечение коллективного благополучия неотъемлемой частью библиотечного обслуживания.

Присоединяйтесь к нашему разговору о том, где мы находимся сейчас и куда мы хотели бы прийти в нашей работе по поддержке наших пользователей в нестабильное пост-пандемийное время.

 

СПИКЕРЫ 

США: Николь Кук, профессор, Школа информационных наук, Университет Южной Каролины

Лойда Гарсиа Фебо, Президент АБА (2019-2019гг)

Россия: Анна Галеева, заместитель директора, Новосибирская государственная областная научная библиотека; руководитель арт-платформы «Дом да Винчи».

Людмила Пронина, директор, Тамбовская областная универсальная научная библиотека; профессор кафедры библиотечно-информационных ресурсов  Тамбовского государственного университета.

Модераторы:

Светлана Горохова, со-председатель Российско-Американского библиотечного диалога (Россия)

Эллен Кнутсен, со-председатель Российко-Американского библиотечного диалога (США)

Attend Bilingual Virtual Conference focused on Civic Engagement March 25-26, 2021

I am very excited to announce a free bilingual Spanish/English conference – Seguimos Creando Enlaces 2021: Civic Engagement in Action – which will be taking place online over two days from March 25th-March 26th 2021 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm US-Pacific Time each day.

This mini-conference is part of the Library 2.0 Worldwide Virtual Conference series, which was started in 2011 and was founded based on many of the principles of civic engagement. Civic engagement is all about making a difference in the civic life of our communities and about promoting the quality of life in a community. Civic engagement activities range from voting to volunteering as well as other activities that benefit society. Libraries are an essential part of helping communities thrive and libraries have a key role to play in engaging with individuals and groups to help them participate actively in civic activities.

This mini-conference differs from the typical Library 2.0 Worldwide Virtual Conference in several ways.

  • It is the first completely bilingual Library 2.0 conference ever offered since the conference series was founded. All sessions will be offered in both Spanish and English.
  • The sessions are spread over two days instead of just one day; this is to accommodate the additional time it takes to translate content.
  • This conference was a true collaboration of multiple organizations all working closely together to ensure that great content would be included and available in both English and Spanish. Library 2.0 Worldwide Conference Series is partnering with the Seguimos Creando Enlaces (Creating Connections) bilingual conference to bring it online; the conference is presented by the San José State University School of Information, Library 2.0 Worldwide Virtual Conference Series, Southern California Library Cooperative in partnership with the SERRA Library Cooperative, and the California State Library.

Registration is free, and attendees will have the option to view live presentations in English and Spanish. Sessions will be recorded and made available after the event.

Seguimos Creando Enlaces 2021: Civic Engagement in Action

  • Who Should Attend: Librarians, library staff members and library school students from around the globe
  • When: March 25 and 26, 2021
  • Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific Time each day (UTC-7)
  • Where: Online via Zoom
  • Cost: FREE!
  • Presentations and Speakers: Conference Schedule
  • REGISTER NOW! (English form)
  • REGISTER NOW! (Spanish form)

I hope you will be able to join the conference to learn about different perspectives related to civic engagement, meet colleagues from the US, Mexico and across the globe, and engage in interactive discussions through the virtual conference.