Teaching AI Literacy Through Library Frameworks

This poster presents a comprehensive exploration of the integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) with the Association of College and Research Libraries\u27 Frameworks for Information Literacy. It seeks to shed light on the implications and considerations of incorporating generative AI within the framework of information literacy, focusing on key concepts such as authority, information creation, value, research as inquiry, and scholarship as conversation. Within the context of generative AI, questions arise regarding the credibility of AI-generated information. This poster delves into the factors that influence authority in information resources and examines how generative AI compares to traditional sources of expertise. Additionally, it investigates the process of generating information through AI systems, exploring the role of background knowledge and the extent to which generative AI can mimic the inquiry process of a researcher. The value of information is another critical aspect addressed in this study. It examines the ownership and profitability of AI-generated content, as well as the time spent on information gathering and the importance of accuracy in knowledge creation. Furthermore, it explores how generative AI can assist in refining research inquiries and suggests unique lines of inquiry, contributing to the iterative nature of research

Alexa, Ask My Library: How Do I Build a Custom Skill to Extend Reference Services?

The Reference Technology team at Florida International University recently published an Alexa Skill that incorporates the LibAnswers API into the device’s answer bank. We have several Echo Show devices at our public service desks to meet the demands of extended hours while also enhancing public service presence beyond the reference desk. The Green Library at FIU’s Modesto Maidique Campus now operates on a 24/5 schedule, allowing students to access library facilities at any time during the week. In addition, both the Hubert Library and the Engineering Library Service Center stay open past times when personal reference assistance is available. This project aims to encourage lifelong learning and independent thinking while providing point-of-need library communications to students via LibAnswers and the Amazon Echo Show. After this workshop attendees will be able to: Describe the major smart speakers in the industry in order to discern the best option for their project. Identify several factors to consider when beginning a voice recognition project in order to incorporate a UX-First design. Develop an Alexa Skill by training the AI model to recognize utterances, querying LibAnswers for information retrieval, and display responses to the end-user

eContent in a Flash: Delivering Digital Resources to Patrons Using NFC Technology

Near Field Communication (NFC) technology is a short-range, wireless communication technology that transfers data between two chips while they remain in close proximity with one another. We applied NFC technology across the library and campus in a variety of contexts to promote digital resources, collections, and services. Our @FIULibraries: Tap, Scan, Read project marries digital resources with physical objects, allowing library users to access digital materials and information in a flash. The project has evolved into a multifaceted endeavor that includes smart posters, e-resource cards, a course reserves binder, library displays, and wayfinding tools. Project details are available in our @FIULibraries: Tap, Scan, Read LibGuide (https://libguides.fiu.edu/nfc). With the tap of an NFC-equipped device, students can access an ebook, watch a video, or contact a librarian instantly! To enhance usability, we integrated QR codes and short URLs into the materials, which works seamlessly alongside the newer NFC technology. Thanks to the use of NFC technology, usage of our library’s resources and services in the areas incorporating this technology skyrocketed, increasing circulation and use of both our physical and digital resources. This parallels current industry trends, which encourage increased development, including an expansion of NFC capabilities throughout the Apple ecosystem. Objectives: (1) explain what Near Field Communication (NFC) technology is, (2) provide instructions on how to create NFC-enabled library resources and services, (3) demonstrate an application of NFC technology in the library setting, and (4) discuss the impact of NFC technology on usage of library resources and services

e-Content in a Flash: Delivering Digital Resources to Patrons Using NFC Technology

Near Field Communication (NFC) technology is a short-range, wireless communication technology that transfers data between two chips while they remain in close proximity with one another. We applied NFC technology across the library and campus in a variety of contexts to promote digital resources, collections, and services. Our @FIULibraries: Tap, Scan, Read project marries digital resources with physical objects, allowing library users to access digital materials and information in a flash. The project has evolved into a multifaceted endeavor that includes smart posters, e-resource cards, a course reserves binder, library displays, and wayfinding tools. Project details are available in our @FIULibraries: Tap, Scan, Read LibGuide (https://libguides.fiu.edu/nfc). With the tap of an NFC-equipped device, students can access an ebook, watch a video, or contact a librarian instantly! To enhance usability, we integrated QR codes and short URLs into the materials, which works seamlessly alongside the newer NFC technology. Thanks to the use of NFC technology, usage of our library’s resources and services in the areas incorporating this technology skyrocketed, increasing circulation and use of both our physical and digital resources. This parallels current industry trends, which encourage increased development, including an expansion of NFC capabilities throughout the Apple ecosystem. Objectives: (1) explain what Near Field Communication (NFC) technology is, (2) provide instructions on how to create NFC-enabled library resources and services, (3) demonstrate an application of NFC technology in the library setting, and (4) discuss the impact of NFC technology on usage of library resources and services. The authors have previously written about NFC technology applications for library and information science journals. They have worked on four current and completed projects using NFC technology, with several more underway, for their library. Christopher M. Jimenez manages and promotes the @FIULibraries: Tap, Scan, Read project as part of ongoing initiatives to enhance library user experience with technology. Barbara M. Sorondo was an early adopter of NFC technology for library marketing and has co-created library displays and wayfinding tools that leverage this technology

The Bridge/Breezeway Use of Space Report

The purpose of this survey is to gain insights into how students utilize the Bridge/Breezeway, a designated space within the Green Library on the second floor between the elevator lobby and GRID. We aim to understand the duration of student visits, the activities they engage in while in the space, and their technological preferences and needs. This information will guide us in enhancing the Bridge/Breezeway to better cater to our students\u27 academic and collaborative needs

Zoomed Out? How Burnout was Associated with Affect, Personality, and Job Satisfaction Among Library Employees During the Pandemic

In March 2020, many libraries transitioned from onsite to remote work in an “abundance of caution” due to the coronavirus pandemic. Almost overnight, the varied interactions previously occurring across classrooms, conference rooms, offices, staff lounges, and cafes transformed into endless Zoom sessions. Many library employees consequently noted feeling greater stress, fatigue, and burnout, the latter of which is characterized by emotional exhaustion, cynicism, alienation from work activities, and reduced job performance. We measured how burnout related to affect, personality, job satisfaction, and various characteristics among library employees during this transition to remote work. We distributed a survey to all library employees at a large, urban research university during the 2020-2021 academic year. The survey included previously established measures of four constructs: (1) affect: Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, (2) personality: Big Five Inventory, (3) job satisfaction: Brief Index of Affective Job Satisfaction, and (4) burnout: Bergen Burnout Inventory-9. We also included demographic questions and items inquiring about Zoom use. Among the 54 survey participants, burnout did not differ based on service area (public services or technical services), employee status (faculty or staff), nor the amount of time spent in Zoom meetings. However, it was significantly negatively associated with job satisfaction, positive affect, and the personality traits of agreeableness and conscientiousness. Conversely, burnout was significantly positively associated with negative affect and the personality trait of neuroticism. These results may be used to help library employees reduce burnout in both their libraries and personal lives, capitalizing on their unique characteristics to redesign workflows that improve workplace culture and create individually optimized, innovative work environments for “the new normal” and beyond

Demand Driven Research Support in the Library: A Case Study in History and Digital Humanities

This section presents the timeline of instruction support, research consultation, and collection development offered by faculty librarians Molly Castro and Christopher M. Jimenez to support History Professor Kyle Pan and History grad student Noel Hernandez. Noel’s dissertation research and accompanying digital history project on the history of rock bands in Latin America serve as a case study on demand driven research support from librarians in both Information & Research Services and Digital Humanities

Mi Casa, Su Casa: Librarians serving students from the comfort of their homes

To respond proactively to the pandemic, the Libraries moved many services and programs online. Providing online services is nothing new for librarians; using the technologies available to replicate and improve on the outcomes these services have on student learning has required creativity and new ways of thinking. To this end, we have increased our use of Zoom, Slack, and YouTube to offer support, allowing students to interact in ways that mimic F2F library services. To increase visibility we adapted popular events to an online modality such as Language Day conversations and open mic events to enrich student engagement. Several unique opportunities not feasible in a physical setting came to fruition, allowing us to enhance student success

FIU Libraries Salary Task Force Report to Library Assembly

This report includes a salary analysis and comparison between Florida State Universities and the cities in which they are located. The report includes the results of surveys administered to current library faculty at Florida International University (FIU), as well as an exit survey of former librarians from FIU. Survey results include a discussion of quality of life for librarians, retention issues at FIU libraries, diversity concerns, and hardships encountered by librarians living and working in Miami

Library Staff Salary Survey Report: A First Thursday Presentation

This presentation was given by the Salary Task Force (STF) members, Jamie Rogers, Annia Gonzalez, and Kelley Rowan at an FIU Libraries First Thursday\u27s Forum. Members of the task force presented the results from two surveys, including cost of living research and SUS salary analysis and comparisons. Afterwards, attendees were invited to ask questions and express their concerns before the task force publishes the final report. The research in this presentation is based on surveys and research conducted by all Salary Task Force members