Webinar – Beyond Library Information Services: Thriving in the AI Age with a Library Science Background

4 JULY 2024

Overview

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the information landscape. While some fear AI replacing librarians, the reality presents exciting opportunities. The third in a series of webinars organized by AfLIA LETIS will explore the diverse career paths available to library school graduates in the age of AI. AI automates routine tasks like information retrieval and organization. Librarians must adapt, leveraging their human skills like critical thinking, curation, and user engagement.

In this era, literature can argue that library school graduates are uniquely positioned to excel in the AI age. Their expertise in information management, coupled with adaptability and continuous learning, will unlock a plethora of exciting career paths. Embracing AI as a powerful tool enables library professionals to become indispensable guides in navigating the ever-evolving information landscape. The following are discussion points to be highlighted during the webinar:

• How are library science programs evolving to prepare graduates for AI-powered information landscapes?
• What specific skill sets are sought after by employers seeking library professionals in the AI age?
• What successful career paths have library school graduates taken in the era of AI?

The webinar aims to, provide a clear picture of career options for library school graduates in the AI age., Identify key skills and areas of knowledge for success in this evolving field. Offer a resource for library professionals seeking to adapt and thrive in the age of AI.

Target audience

1. LIS Educators
2. Librarians
3. Archivists
4. Museum professionals
5. Students

Date – Thursday, 25th July 2024

Time – 12 noon UTC | 1pm WAT | 2pm CAT/SAST | 3pm EAT

Registration

Click on the button below to register.

Kindly note that once you register, you will receive reminders about the event.

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Resource person

Dr. Andiswa Mfengu is a Deputy Head of Department and Lecturer in the Department of Knowledge and Information Stewardship in the Humanities Faculty at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She holds a PhD in Library and Information Studies from the University of Cape Town. She is an emerging scholar in the area of research impact assessment, focusing on the development of a more holistic framework for such assessment that is relevant to transformative and decolonizing contexts.

She is the Chair for the Africa Chapter of the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) (2023/2024) and the immediate past Vice-Chair (2019-2022) for Library Education and Training Institutions of the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA). She is a member of the editorial board member of the African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science (AJLAIS) and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the European Bioinformatics Institute (Europe PubMed Central). She is a recipient of the prestigious South African National Research Foundation funded Black Academics Advancement Programme fellowship for 2021-2023.

Moderator

Dr. Oghenere Salubi is an educationalist, data scientist and librarian who made a combinational transition to computational social sciences, and data analytics in the broader social sciences and humanities disciplines. A Senior Lecturer at the University of the Western Cape’s Department of Library and Information Science, Dr. Salubi also volunteers as a Data instructor for The Carpentries, where he teaches computational research data management and analytical tools. His current teaching and research interests are in the areas of data stewardship, knowledge organisation and data management, digital humanities, and ICTs in LIS.

Technical requirements

Upon registration, reminders will be sent to all registrants periodically. This webinar will be hosted on Zoom Conferencing Platform. Participants, who do not have Zoom on their mobile devices and or computers, need to download, install and create an account on Zoom ahead of time (CLICK TO DOWNLOAD). Webinar attendees are encouraged to join early, preferably 15 minutes before the start of the webinar, as one may need time launch the application. The speaker will use a webcam to connect with attendees. Audio and video for the session will be streamed over computer speakers. Attendees are therefore encouraged to connect with a headset or earpiece for maximum utility.

Webinar materials

A list of resources and further information will made be available at the end of the webinar, to enable thorough engagement with the webinar content. All registrants will have access to the presentation slides. The webinar recording will be uploaded on AfLIA Youtube Channel soon after the webinar to facilitate continuous engagement with the webinar content by webinar attendees and non-attendees. Please note that this webinar does not involve certificate of participation.

Enquiries

For further enquiries and any assistance relating to the webinar, contact us at afliacomm@aflia.net.