If the Walls Could Speak: Artwork for Representational Library Spaces

Artwork featuring diverse styles, cultures, and perspectives can promote inclusivity and representation within library spaces. Our library has partnered with a local Art Foundation to introduce artwork from local artists that reflect the diversity of our student population. Rather than a centrally located exhibition, the art has been integrated into the whole library building to be accessible and inspire reflection and recognition. This lightning talk briefly explains the collaborative project and the value of art in a library space to express diverse voices explored through visual storytelling

Conceptualizing a Teaching Motivation Model for Faculty

This paper presents a Teaching Motivation Model that conceptualizes motivation for faculty teaching. The model was informed by the self-determination theory, the self-control strength model, and the review of the literature on college teaching. The Teaching Motivation Model presents a more comprehensive account of faculty teaching motivation and group factors affecting faculty teaching motivation into three groups: environmental, individual, and institutional-level factors. Ongoing interactions between these mutually interrelated and influential groups of factors may either support or inhibit faculty engagement in a particular method of teaching. The model posits self-control strength, which plays a central role in faculty engagement in an intended form of teaching. Implications for research and practice are included

Reviewing the need for subject-specific regional professional development opportunities for business librarians

This paper reviews the need for regional professional development opportunities for business librarians, examining the benefits and drawbacks that business librarians experience when attending national, subject-specific, and regional conferences, from the perspective of the creators and organizers of the Midwest Business Librarian Summit (MBLS). Using information gained regarding what benefits librarians seek when considering conference attendance as well as the obstacles or challenges experienced, this paper offers information about extant regional conferences for business librarians as well as suggestions for developing an in-person, subject-specific regional conference targeted toward business librarians

Building a Regional Library-Led Case Competition: Reflections from Librarians and Vendor Partners

Libraries are increasingly involved in supporting and facilitating case competitions, leading to competitions that emphasize decision-making and understanding of a larger ecosystem of information. This paper examines existing literature on the topics of librarian support for case competitions, the growing trend of library-led case competitions, and the expanded role of libraries in support of entrepreneurs, students, and faculty in entrepreneurial programs. The conversation is expanded through a discussion of the Midwest Entrepreneurship Case Competition (MECC), a library-led case competition that prioritized the participation of undergraduate students and grew from a local to a regional event. Vendor engagement, case development, competition format, timeline, and execution are shared and analyzed. Reflections from three stakeholders, including a first-time case competition planner, case competition judge, and vendor partner, enumerate MECC’s benefits to librarianship and student learning, approaches to information literacy, and opportunities for hands-on engagement in the development and marketing of tools. This research demonstrates the value of library-led case competitions as interventions for building transferable business information literacy skills and mechanisms for shaping and furthering collaboration among libraries, librarians, students, and vendors

A Deep Learning Framework with Explainable AI for Atmospheric Blocking Detection and Interpretation

Atmospheric blocking is a large-scale quasi-stationary phenomenon in mid-latitude circulation, characterized by persistent high-pressure systems that disrupt the typical west-to-east flow of the jet stream. These systems can cause extreme weather events—such as heatwaves, cold spells, or droughts—that persist for days or even weeks. This study proposes a deep learning framework to predict and interpret the occurrence of atmospheric blocking by integrating geophysical precursors such as geopotential height (Z500), stream function (SF200), and potential vorticity. These features, which are dynamically linked to blocking onset and persistence, serve as inputs to a Convolutional Neural Network model trained on the CESM Large Ensemble (LENS) dataset. After initial training, we apply transfer learning to adapt the model to the ERA5 reanalysis dataset, preserving the feature extractor while retraining the classifier to improve generalization on real-world atmospheric data. To improve model transparency and interpretability, we apply eXplainable AI techniques. These tools provide spatial insights into the CNN\u27s decision-making process, highlighting which atmospheric features are most important for the model’s blocking predictions. By advancing the understanding of mechanisms and indicators of blocking through deep learning and XAI, this work contributes toward more accurate and interpretable weather forecasting models—vital for anticipating and mitigating the societal impacts of extreme weather events

KISS: Keep it Simple for Safety

There are high-tech tools for measuring speed, traffic volume, and other items needed in a safety study. There are also very simple methods that can be used by anyone to get an initial estimate, check the fancy tools, or determining if it is worth spending time and money on a more complicated review. This session will review some of these simple methods to determine traffic volumes, speeds, sight distance, passing zones, clear zones, and where to place road signs

Development of Commercial EV Truck Depots With Real-World Experience

Every 2 years, NACFE demonstrates state-of-the-art truck fleet operations. In 2021, it was focused on electric vehicle (EV) truck pilots with 13 different OEMs, and in late 2023, the focus was on EV truck depots that had a minimum of 15 EV trucks on one depot charging system. We welcome audience questions as we share NACFE’s truck charging data, operational data, fleet feedback and truck driver inputs

Modification of Process Inputs Using Hog Cooling Pads

Purdue University researchers have developed a low-cost hog cooling pad which uses ground-based water as a coolant for sows in farrowing crates. Initial testing has proven the positive effects of the unit on sow and piglet productivity, but thus far little research has been done on seeing whether or not the use of the pads reduces water consumption by the animals or how much energy is required to operate the units. This study examined data collected during an indirect calorimetry testing program. The limited availability of water sensors hindered the meaningfulness of the water consumption data, but the energy consumption data looked fully plausible. This project will be used to improve data acquisition for these parameters during testing conducted in the future

Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)

April 24, 2025 presentation for Canada\u27s GovInfo Day Spring 2025 hosted by Simon Fraser University in British Columbia and Internet Archive Canada. Provides information about the publicly available information resources produced by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) which is the Canadian Government\u27s foremost national intelligence agency. Provides information about this agency\u27s statutory organization, types of publicly available reports they produce, information about other Canadian government intelligence agencies, and parliamentary oversight of Canadian government intelligence operations. Lists additional resources for finding information about CSIS and explains the benefits of having access to these resources for users