Professional Development Resources for Librarians: American Library Association (ALA)

Learning About AI: Level Up Your Skills Without Overwhelming Your Mind

Format: Live Webinar

Start Date: August 7, 2024, 11:00 am MT - End Date: August 7, 2024, 12:00 pm MT

Duration: 60 minutes

OpenAI and deep learning and neural networks, oh my! The swiftly developing landscape of artificial intelligence, combined with its rapid integration into our work and personal lives, can feel confusing and overwhelming. This session will help you think about AI in your own work and plan your own personal AI learning journey, while also providing thoughtful recommendations on how both you and your users can get started. The presenters will discuss common terminology, user-friendly resources for understanding AI, questions to ask when exploring AI tools, and ideas on how to start building your own knowledge on this topic. The information shared can also be used by library staff to support users and guide them on their own learning quests. The potential power of AI provides a range of exciting opportunities for libraries and their users – this session will give library staff the keys to start thinking about AI as an ally.

Panelists:

Jennifer Freer is a business librarian at the Rochester Institute of Technology with 28 years of experience in librarianship. She has a professional interest in the technology and methodology behind the discovery of information and most recently an interest in the application of AI in library services. She has a B.A. in History from Binghamton University, a Master's of Library Science from Queens College and an M.S. in Communication & Media Technologies from the Rochester Institute of Technology. 

Lara Nicosia is a Humanities Librarian and interim Director of Learning Initiatives at the University of Rochester. With over ten years of experience in reference and user services, including information literacy instruction, Lara is excited about the opportunities and applications for AI to support student learning and research discovery. She earned a B.A. in History and Economics from the College of William and Mary and an M.A. in Museum Studies and M.S. in Library and Information Science from Syracuse University, along with a Certificate of Advanced Study in Digital Libraries.

This session was previously presented during the RUSA Virtual Forum and attendees had this to say:

• Learning about AI: Level Up Your Skills Without Overwhelming You Mind was an awesome session and the presenters did a fantastic job!
• The speakers for 'Learning about AI: Level Up Your Skills Without Overwhelming You Mind' did meet expectations though - they were someone who clearly had more than a cursory knowledge of the subject and was familiar with the literature on the topic both within libraries and wider contexts.

Slow Librarianship: Incorporating Mindfulness into Library Work and Services

Start Date: September 9, 2024, End Date: October 20, 2024, 

Vaile Fujikawa developed slow librarianship over the past eight years after experiencing professional burnout. Like many of us, Vaile felt an overwhelming pressure to do and know everything immediately.

Slow librarianship is about being intentional in your actions, modeling the behavior you want to see for users and staff, and being open to learning and change. Some of the core principles include the rejection of urgency culture; the creation of truly safe spaces (what that means and how it's done) for staff and users to learn and explore together and independently; unconditional positive regard; and taking a strengths-based, relational approach.

Over the course of six weeks, Vaile will introduce attendees to the concepts she has developed and practices in her professional and personal life. These can help lead learners to a more balanced approach to work and living. This class will empower participants to act intentionally, take their time, and foster agency in themselves, their staff, and their library's users.

Outcomes will be measured through the completion of assigned readings, online discussions, one project-based assessment, and self-reporting.

By participating in this course, participants will

• Be able to integrate at least one principle of slow librarianship into their professional practice. 
• Learn at least three new strategies to help them slow down in their professional practice. 
• Develop new relationships and strengthen existing relationships with themselves, staff, patrons, and the community.

Course Outline

• Week 1: Introduction to Slow Librarianship
  • Introductions
  • Overview of Slow Librarianship Principles
  • Context and Development
  • Importance of Slowing Down in a Fast-Paced Environment
  • Reflecting on Personal Practices and Challenges
• Week 2: Creating Safe Spaces
  • Inclusive Library Spaces for Staff and Users
  • Addressing Equity and Diversity in Library Services
  • Practical Approaches to Fostering Safe Learning Environments
  • Incorporating Slow Librarianship into Programming
• Week 3: Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself
  • Understanding Ego
  • Recognizing and Mitigating Privilege
  • Practical Strategies for Ego- and Privilege-Aware Libraries
• Week 4: Openness to Learning
  • Embracing a Growth Mindset
  • Lifelong Learning Strategies for Librarians
  • Building a Culture of Curiosity and Exploration
• Week 5: Rejection of Urgency Culture
  • Critiquing Urgency in Library Practices
  • Time Management Strategies for Sustainable Workloads
  • Balancing Priorities and Setting Realistic Expectations
  • Implementing Slow Practices in Daily Work
• Week 6: Model the Behavior You'd Like to See
  • Leadership and Modeling Slow Practices
  • Mentorship in Slow Librarianship
  • Developing a Personal Action Plan for Continued Slow Implementation
  • Q&A and Closing Thoughts

Passionate advocate for slow librarianship, Vaile Fujikawa is a seasoned Librarian with an MLIS and Master of Arts in Teaching. With eight years of experience developing and implementing the principles of slow librarianship, and over a decade of experience in libraries, Vaile challenges urgency culture and promotes a balanced, sustainable approach. Currently the Program Manager of the Government Information Center at San Francisco Public Library, Vaile actively fosters community relationships and strives toward creating a more equitable, accessible workplace.

If you have questions or requests regarding accessibility, contact us at ce@ala.org or at 312-280-5100.