The relevance of Libraries in a digital age remains a provocative topic to many, if not questionable. This was further exacerbated by the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in the mid-1900s. As novel as AI sounds, it is however not new. The term itself was coined in 1956 in a proposal by an elite group of computer scientists and mathematicians who organized a summer workshop called the Dartmouth Conference. The magnitude of the AI “turmoil” resulted in some within the LIS fraternity and affiliates fearing it will be the end of the Libraries. Some felt that this developing technology will replace human resources, however, that’s not the case. The technology aims to advance efficiency, therefore we can say it complements the work of librarians and does not complicate it as is presumed. The NWU LIS states clearly on its objective goals that it wants to be a leading LIS locally and in the globe at large. This goal may not be attained if we do not embrace ever-evolving technology such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and many others. This moved a team of dedicated Librarians to attend the 15th SAOIM Conference on 08 – 10 June 2022 in Pretoria. This conference empowered the attendees with the necessary skills to strive and prosper despite the precarious industry in which we operate. This conference was also a platform to share common hindrances that prevent the implementation of AI in academic libraries and possible strategies that could be employed to mitigate these challenges.
Ntobeko Sikhakhane (Manager: Information Resources)
Feedback from the LIS staff who attended:
Lizwi Njani:
As a novice professional with limited experience in the academic library, it was an exceptional experience to rub shoulders and engage with great experienced leaders, librarians and specialists with varying experiences in the academic world. Most of the presentations resonated with me as some of the presentations related to the project I am currently busy with. Artificial Intelligence in practice was demonstrated, the interesting ones were presentations relating to Digitisation. It was as if the presenters knew that I and my team were still in the investigative stage of the project. Tips and guidelines were shared and I believe that they will assist the team to complete the project. The presentations also focused on leadership and self-development. Connecting in a disconnected world and thriving in an uncertain world was the cherry on the top of an already rich information conference.
I grasped this mantra from the conference: Live at the edge of your comfort zone, learn to live with 15% more risk; fail fast, learn fast, and Be the one that gets things done (Ellen Bates).
Sakhile Mngomezulu:
The 15th International SAOIM provided insight into the exciting extent of growth and activity taking place in the information industry. Access to information, 4IR, and innovative ICTs were some of the aspects which speakers alluded to at the conference. Coverage also included ways to keep the library operational during Covid19, aligning services with the information needs of the users. Optimizing the process for open access, commitment to an open paradigm, organising investments around open access were some of the issues the presenters touched on during the conference. Sean Kruger from the University of Pretoria asserted that reviewing skills needed to leverage 4IR technology to remain relevant insights from a maker space which is the area of my interest. It was also stipulated that open access publishing needs conditions that are globally equitable. In conclusion, the conference was informative, mind-opening and a lot of knowledge were shared amongst colleagues.
Maggie Melk-Sindwa:
In Colleen Campbell’s presentation on the impact of the transformative agreement on subscription paywalls, she has gone into detail about Open Access 2020 and how it should be considered in libraries and should also be marketed to researchers. According to her transformative agreement is proving to provide a scalable, sustainable, and cost-neutral way for research organisations and publishers of all sizes and types to transition their workflows, processes and financial streams around scholarly journal publishing support full and immediate open access. She has pointed out that Elsevier has a larger subscription on scholarly publishers that can be converted to Open Access. She urged libraries to be responsible for the financial portion of Open Access, as authors are paying a lot for journal subscriptions. In her conclusion, she said Open Access is growing rapidly, though most researchers continue to publish behind paywalls, and that Open Access objectives will not be achieved with this status quo.
Few of the new things to do:
- Negotiate Open Access – for cost neutral
- Transformative Agreements – to commit to an open paradigm (Libraries should show that they want to move to a future where Open Access is default and with the integration of authors)
- Organise investments instead of paywalls
Few publishers that have committed to Open Access so far are as follows:
- Cambridge University Press
- Royal Society
- EUA European University Press
- SANLIC
Few challenges and opportunities in the transition from subscription to Open Access
- OA is publishing under conditions that are globally equitable
- There is closer alignment among stakeholders
- It is fostering a diversity of venues and services of scholarly communication
Adrienne Warricker and Viveka Pillai did a presentation on the establishment of a Book Nook at the Merensky 2 Library. The BOOK NOOK is an initiative between UP Library and UP Faculty of Humanities, to create a leisure reading corner in the library. The Book Nook corner was launched in November 2021. It is separated from the study areas, is stocked with fiction books (titles were identified and selected by students and academics), has comfortable seating and encourages leisure reading.
Jonathan Nyebeleza:
The goal of the 15th International SAOIM is to provide insight into the exciting scope of growth and activity in the information sector. The conference served as a place for exchanging knowledge about recent discoveries, applications, and prospects in the rapidly growing field of online information. Topics discussed included the impact of transformative agreements on subscription paywalls whereby the speaker highlighted challenges in scholarly journal publishing, inhibited by subscription paywalls. The speaker also provided remedies to subscription paywalls. Additionally, with regards to AI and the library, several universities have adopted AI in the form of chatbots and AI assistants to aid with customer service.
Carine Basson:
In total, 27 papers were presented. It was good to see “old” colleagues and vendors and to meet new colleagues.
We need to take note of the following:
- We need to support our users as authors as well as researchers
- Flip the VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) world to rather stand for Vision, Understanding, Clarity & Agility
- Remember AI is supplementing humans, not replacing them
- Create Makerspaces in libraries to stay relevant to our users
- Using Chatbot enhances the jobs of librarians
- Buildings and spaces need to adapt to be spaces of/for kindness and the place to practice being a human being
- Implementing a Book Nook (leisure reading area) can promote reading among students
- Digitization should not be seen as a replacement for preservation, but as enhancing discovery and protecting physical materials
- WorldShare has a mobile app for inventory control
- Librarians should stay agile, our impact is not in what we do, but in how we do it and how we package and present information to users.
- The use of 3D scanning can be good in preserving artifacts.
Some inspirational quotes:
- The best way to predict the future is to create it.
- Feel fear and do it anyway.
- Live to the edge of your comfort zone.
- Fail fast, learn fast.
NWU: Library and Information Service News 