The Library 2.0 Virtual Worldwide Conference series aims to create an open dialog about the future of libraries in the digital age. At Library 2.015, the fifth conference in the series, thousands of participants gathered online to share their knowledge, experience, and ideas on the evolution of libraries and the information profession. This article reports on some highlights of the October 20, 2015, conference. Archived conference presentations remain free, online, and open to all at http://tinyurl.com/Libr2015presentations

Putnam, Laurie L.

English

SJSU ScholarWorks

San Jose State UniversitySJSU ScholarWorksFaculty Publications School of Information2016Library 2.015 Conference: An Open Dialog Aboutthe Future of LibrariesLaurie L. PutnamSan Jose State University, laurie.putnam@sjsu.eduFollow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/slis_pubPart of the Library and Information Science CommonsThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by the School of Information at SJSU ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in FacultyPublications by an authorized administrator of SJSU ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact scholarworks@sjsu.edu.Recommended CitationLaurie L. Putnam. "Library 2.015 Conference: An Open Dialog About the Future of Libraries" International Information & LibraryReview (2016): 63-65. doi:10.1080/10572317.2016.1146044The	  Library	  2.015	  Conference:	  	  An	  Open	  Dialog	  About	  the	  Future	  of	  Libraries	  	  By	  Laurie	  L.	  Putnam,	  San	  José	  State	  University	  School	  of	  Information	  	  	  This	  is	  an	  accepted	  manuscript	  of	  an	  article	  published	  in	  International	  Information	  &	  Library	  Review,	  48(1):	  63–65,	  May	  2016.	  DOI:	  10.1080/10572317.2016.1146044.	  	  	  Abstract:	  The	  Library	  2.0	  Virtual	  Worldwide	  Conference	  series	  aims	  to	  create	  an	  open	  dialog	  about	  the	  future	  of	  libraries	  in	  the	  digital	  age.	  At	  Library	  2.015,	  the	  fifth	  conference	  in	  the	  series,	  thousands	  of	  participants	  gathered	  online	  to	  share	  their	  knowledge,	  experience,	  and	  ideas	  on	  the	  evolution	  of	  libraries	  and	  the	  information	  profession.	  This	  article	  reports	  on	  some	  highlights	  of	  the	  October	  20,	  2015,	  conference.	  Archived	  conference	  presentations	  remain	  free,	  online,	  and	  open	  to	  all	  at	  http://tinyurl.com/Libr2015presentations.	  	  	  	  On	  October	  20,	  2015,	  thousands	  of	  information	  professionals	  gathered	  online	  to	  share	  their	  knowledge,	  experience,	  and	  ideas	  at	  the	  Library	  2.015	  Worldwide	  Virtual	  Conference.	  Attendees	  came	  from	  all	  corners	  of	  the	  physical	  and	  professional	  worlds,	  representing	  many	  kinds	  of	  libraries	  across	  a	  dozen	  continents.	  On	  that	  day,	  they	  were	  all	  part	  of	  a	  single	  community,	  brought	  together	  by	  common	  interests.	  	  It	  was	  the	  fifth	  conference	  in	  the	  Library	  2.0	  series,	  founded	  in	  2011	  by	  Dr.	  Sandra	  Hirsh,	  director	  of	  the	  San	  José	  State	  University	  (SJSU)	  School	  of	  Information	  (iSchool),	  and	  Steve	  Hargadon,	  leader	  of	  the	  Learning	  Revolution	  Project.	  “Our	  goal,”	  said	  Hirsh,	  “is	  to	  create	  an	  open	  dialog	  about	  the	  future	  of	  libraries	  in	  the	  digital	  age”	  (2015).	  	  Trends	  and	  opportunities	  The	  conference’s	  keynote	  speakers	  included	  SJSU’s	  Hirsh,	  event	  co-­‐chair,	  Toby	  Greenwalt,	  director	  of	  digital	  strategy	  and	  technology	  implementation	  for	  the	  Carnegie	  Library	  of	  Pittsburgh,	  and	  Dr.	  Norman	  Jacknis,	  president	  of	  the	  board	  at	  the	  Metropolitan	  New	  York	  Library	  Council.	  	  	  Each	  keynote,	  in	  its	  own	  way,	  highlighted	  trends	  that	  affect	  information	  professionals	  everywhere	  and	  drive	  the	  need	  for	  new	  “Tools,	  Skills,	  and	  Competencies,”	  the	  conference	  theme.	  Jacknis	  (2015),	  for	  example,	  spoke	  of	  how	  trends	  in	  technology,	  society,	  the	  economy,	  and	  government	  are	  creating	  opportunities	  for	  libraries	  to	  lead	  in	  their	  communities.	  “Librarians	  should	  not	  just	  wait	  and	  see	  how	  to	  respond	  to	  this	  century's	  trends,”	  he	  said,	  “but	  instead	  seize	  the	  opportunities	  these	  trends	  open	  up,	  and	  provide	  leadership	  to	  define	  the	  future	  of	  libraries	  and	  society	  in	  our	  knowledge-­‐based	  economy.”	  	  Jacknis	  identified	  eight	  trends	  and	  opportunities	  that	  went	  beyond	  the	  often-­‐cited	  examples	  of	  ebooks	  and	  makerspaces	  to	  consider	  developments	  like	  machine	  intelligence	  and	  greater	  individual	  participation	  in	  open	  government.	  Libraries,	  believes	  Jacknis,	  can	  support	  their	  communities	  by	  offering	  tools	  and	  spaces	  that	  tap	  into	  these	  trends.	  	  Core	  competencies	  The	  conference’s	  distinguished	  speakers	  turned	  toward	  library	  and	  information	  science	  (LIS)	  fundamentals.	  Speakers	  included	  Dr.	  David	  Weinberger,	  senior	  researcher	  at	  Harvard's	  Berkman	  Center	  for	  Internet	  &	  Society	  and	  author	  of	  Too	  Big	  To	  Know,	  and	  Dr.	  Michael	  Stephens,	  associate	  professor	  at	  the	  SJSU	  iSchool	  and	  Library	  Journal	  columnist.	  Both	  speakers	  tackled	  aspects	  of	  libraries’	  evolving	  core	  competencies,	  whether	  those	  competencies	  are	  embedded	  in	  people,	  places,	  or	  platforms.1	  Weinberger	  addressed	  the	  library	  as	  platform,	  drawing	  on	  lessons	  learned	  from	  the	  news	  media,	  while	  Stephens	  focused	  on	  people.	  	  Stephens	  led	  a	  conversation—and	  it	  truly	  was	  a	  virtual	  conversation—on	  the	  changing	  library	  and	  information	  science	  workforce.	  With	  so	  much	  change	  happening	  so	  fast,	  wondered	  Stephens,	  how	  do	  we	  successfully	  lead	  our	  information	  organizations?	  What	  are	  the	  hallmarks	  of	  today’s	  savvy	  librarians?	  	  Whether	  they’re	  introverts	  or	  extroverts,	  he	  concluded,	  the	  savvy	  librarians	  are	  creative	  and	  curious.	  “They	  are	  very	  interested	  in	  how	  the	  world	  works,”	  said	  Stephens.	  “They	  are	  conduits,	  connectors,	  and	  discoverers.	  They	  don’t	  have	  to	  know	  it	  all,	  but	  they	  would	  know	  how	  to	  connect	  people,	  how	  to	  facilitate	  conversations.	  These	  are	  the	  folks	  you	  would	  want	  to	  let	  loose	  in	  your	  community,	  the	  ones	  you	  would	  want	  to	  embed	  in	  your	  campus,	  or	  anywhere	  the	  presence	  of	  the	  library	  should	  be	  felt”	  (2015).	  	  Practical	  experiences	  The	  library’s	  presence	  was	  strongly	  felt	  in	  every	  breakout	  session.	  Throughout	  the	  day,	  dozens	  of	  sessions	  were	  presented	  by	  information	  professionals	  who	  shared	  their	  research	  and	  best	  practices	  for	  21st-­‐century	  libraries	  and	  information	  centers.	  Presentations	  were	  organized	  into	  four	  subject	  strands:	  • Digital	  services,	  preservation,	  curation,	  and	  access	  • Emerging	  technologies	  and	  trends	  • The	  user	  experience	  • Management	  of	  libraries	  and	  information	  centers	  in	  the	  21st	  century	  	  Discussions	  of	  technology	  trends	  and	  applications,	  as	  always,	  were	  popular.	  Attendees	  could	  learn	  to	  “Become	  Your	  Library’s	  Technology	  Futurist”	  with	  Tina	  D.	  Jagerson,	  an	  information	  manager	  with	  the	  U.S.	  Department	  of	  Justice,	  or	  hear	  about	  “Librarians	  Utilizing	  Virtual	  Reality”	  with	  information	  literacy	  consultant	  Dr.	  Valerie	  Hill	  and	  University	  of	  Washington	  researcher	  Suzette	  Lewis.	  	  All	  were	  keenly	  aware	  that	  the	  evolution	  of	  technology	  is	  directly	  affecting	  the	  information	  professional’s	  job.	  “Content	  formats	  are	  changing,	  and	  so	  are	  our	  searching	  strategies,”	  said	  Hill.	  “And	  that	  means	  roles	  for	  librarians	  are	  also	  changing”	  (Hill	  &	  Lewis,	  2015).	  	  While	  Hill	  believes	  that	  “virtual	  reality	  is	  about	  to	  become	  mainstream,”	  she	  also	  acknowledged	  that	  “each	  of	  us	  can’t	  be	  an	  expert	  in	  every	  innovation	  that	  comes	  along.	  So	  I	  think	  it’s	  important	  for	  us	  to	  be	  aware	  of	  new	  technologies,	  and	  it’s	  important	  for	  us	  to	  develop	  a	  professional	  network	  that	  can	  expose	  us	  to	  new	  ideas,	  new	  formats,	  and	  new	  platforms	  that	  we	  can	  add	  to	  our	  information	  toolboxes”	  (Hill	  &	  Lewis,	  2015).	  For	  Hill,	  Lewis,	  and	  the	  dozens	  of	  people	  connecting	  in	  the	  session,	  those	  networks	  were	  expanding	  already.	  	  International	  themes	  also	  emerged.	  Library	  2.015	  attendees	  could	  learn	  about	  “Creating	  and	  Using	  a	  National	  Multilingual	  Authority	  File”	  with	  Ahava	  Cohen,	  librarian	  and	  LIS	  instructor	  at	  Israel’s	  Beit	  Berl	  College,	  look	  at	  “Cultural	  Differences	  in	  Motivating	  Students	  to	  Seek	  Information”	  with	  Dr.	  Sherry	  R.	  Crow	  and	  Dr.	  Lisa	  L.	  Kastello,	  who	  teach	  at	  the	  University	  of	  Nebraska,	  or	  discuss	  “Strategies	  for	  Internationalizing	  LIS	  Courses”	  with	  Melanie	  Sellar,	  founder	  of	  Librarians	  Without	  Borders,	  a	  nonprofit	  organization	  that	  supports	  libraries	  around	  the	  world.	  	  Sellar,	  who	  teaches	  courses	  in	  global	  librarianship	  at	  the	  SJSU	  iSchool,	  offered	  strategies	  for	  incorporating	  international	  perspectives	  into	  LIS	  education.	  Many	  of	  her	  ideas	  could	  be	  applied	  to	  other	  types	  of	  courses,	  information	  literacy	  instruction,	  and	  professional	  development	  in	  general.	  “Internationalization	  has	  become	  a	  stated	  objective	  in	  many	  institutional	  strategic	  plans,”	  noted	  Sellar	  (2015).	  Instructors	  can	  support	  that	  goal,	  she	  explained,	  by	  incorporating	  global	  perspectives	  and	  helping	  students	  develop	  intercultural	  competencies.	  Tactics	  can	  be	  as	  simple	  as	  encouraging	  students	  to	  connect	  with	  people	  in	  other	  countries	  through	  the	  International	  Librarians	  Network,	  or	  as	  involved	  as	  volunteering	  to	  build	  libraries	  abroad.2	  	  “International	  librarianship	  is	  all	  about	  relationships	  and	  cooperation	  and	  collaboration	  between	  people,”	  said	  Sellar,	  who	  recognized	  Library	  2.015	  as	  an	  important	  opportunity	  for	  international	  connection.	  “It’s	  great	  to	  be	  part	  of	  such	  a	  wonderful	  conference,”	  she	  added.	  “Free,	  online,	  and	  global—it’s	  perfectly	  in	  line	  with	  the	  priorities	  and	  values	  of	  Librarians	  Without	  Borders”	  (2015).	  	  Learning	  together	  When	  all	  was	  said	  and	  done,	  more	  than	  50	  presentations	  were	  packed	  into	  13	  hours.	  More	  than	  3,000	  participants	  from	  20	  countries	  logged	  in	  to	  learn	  on	  conference	  day,	  listening	  to	  speakers	  and	  joining	  discussions	  through	  voice	  connections	  or	  text	  chat.	  The	  event	  was	  presented	  online	  via	  Blackboard	  Collaborate	  web	  conferencing,	  and	  all	  presentations	  were	  recorded.	  The	  archives	  are	  open	  access:	  anyone,	  anywhere,	  is	  welcome	  to	  listen	  to	  the	  recordings	  at	  any	  time,	  and	  no	  registration	  is	  required.	  Recordings	  of	  previous	  Library	  2.0	  conferences	  also	  remain	  available.	  	  To	  access	  archived	  presentations	  from	  the	  Library	  2.015	  conference,	  visit	  the	  SJSU	  iSchool	  website	  at	  http://tinyurl.com/Libr2015presentations.	  To	  join	  the	  Library	  2.0	  community	  and	  learn	  about	  future	  events	  as	  they	  are	  announced,	  bookmark	  the	  conference	  website	  at	  http://www.library20.com.	  	  “There’s	  so	  much	  we	  can	  learn	  from	  one	  another,”	  said	  SJSU’s	  Hirsh.	  “Our	  field	  is	  evolving	  dramatically,	  and	  we’re	  all	  trying	  to	  cope	  with	  changing	  technologies	  and	  user	  needs,	  no	  matter	  where	  we	  are	  in	  the	  world	  or	  what	  kind	  of	  organization	  we	  work	  in.	  Worldwide	  conferences	  like	  Library	  2.015	  present	  unique	  opportunities	  to	  share	  our	  knowledge	  and	  spark	  new	  ideas”	  (2015).	  	  Indeed	  they	  do.	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  Notes	  1.	  For	  more	  on	  the	  concept	  of	  libraries	  as	  people,	  places,	  and	  platforms,	  see	  the	  2014	  report	  Rising	  to	  the	  Challenge:	  Re-­‐envisioning	  Public	  Libraries,	  by	  Amy	  K.	  Garmer	  of	  the	  Aspen	  Institute,	  at	  http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/Dialogue-­‐on-­‐Public-­‐Libraries.	  	  2.	  To	  learn	  more	  about	  the	  International	  Librarians	  Network,	  visit	  http://interlibnet.org.	  To	  learn	  more	  about	  Librarians	  Without	  Borders,	  visit	  http://www.librarieswithoutborders.org.	  	  	  	  References	  	  Hill,	  V.,	  &	  Lewis,	  S.	  (2015).	  Librarians	  utilizing	  virtual	  reality.	  Library	  2.015	  conference.	  Retrieved	  from	  http://ischool.sjsu.edu/center-­‐information-­‐research-­‐and-­‐innovation-­‐ciri/library-­‐2015-­‐worldwide-­‐virtual-­‐conference/presentations	  -­‐	  2015_emerging.	  	  Hirsh,	  S.	  (2015,	  November	  18).	  Personal	  communication.	  	  Jacknis,	  N.	  (2015).	  8	  Trends	  create	  8	  opportunities	  for	  21st-­‐century	  libraries	  (LinkedIn	  blog	  post).	  Retrieved	  from	  http://www.linkedin.com/pulse/8-­‐trends-­‐create-­‐oppor-­‐tunities-­‐21st-­‐century-­‐libraries-­‐norman-­‐jacknis.	  	  Sellar,	  M.	  (2015).	  Strategies	  for	  internationalizing	  LIS	  courses.	  Library	  2.015	  conference.	  Retrieved	  from	  http://ischool.sjsu.edu/center-­‐information-­‐research-­‐and-­‐innovation-­‐ciri/library-­‐2015-­‐worldwide-­‐virtual-­‐conference/presentations	  -­‐	  2015_management.	  	  Stephens,	  M.	  (2015).	  Full	  stacks,	  introverts,	  &	  zero-­‐sum	  librarians:	  Notes	  from	  office	  hours.	  Library	  2.015	  conference.	  Retrieved	  from	  http://ischool.sjsu.edu/center-­‐information-­‐research-­‐and-­‐innovation-­‐ciri/library-­‐2015-­‐worldwide-­‐virtual-­‐conference/presentations	  -­‐	  2015_distinguished.	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  

Library 2.015 Conference: An Open Dialog About the Future of Libraries

San Jose State University

San Jose State University
SJSU ScholarWorks
Faculty Publications School of Information
2016
Library 2.015 Conference: An Open Dialog About
the Future of Libraries
Laurie L. Putnam
San Jose State University, laurie.putnam@sjsu.edu
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/slis_pub
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Recommended Citation
Laurie L. Putnam. "Library 2.015 Conference: An Open Dialog About the Future of Libraries" International Information & Library
Review (2016): 63-65. doi:10.1080/10572317.2016.1146044
The	  Library	  2.015	  Conference:	  	  
An	  Open	  Dialog	  About	  the	  Future	  of	  Libraries	  
	  
By	  Laurie	  L.	  Putnam,	  San	  José	  State	  University	  School	  of	  Information	  
	  
	  
This	  is	  an	  accepted	  manuscript	  of	  an	  article	  published	  in	  International	  Information	  &	  Library	  
Review,	  48(1):	  63–65,	  May	  2016.	  DOI:	  10.1080/10572317.2016.1146044.	  
	  
	  
Abstract:	  The	  Library	  2.0	  Virtual	  Worldwide	  Conference	  series	  aims	  to	  create	  an	  open	  dialog	  
about	  the	  future	  of	  libraries	  in	  the	  digital	  age.	  At	  Library	  2.015,	  the	  fifth	  conference	  in	  the	  series,	  
thousands	  of	  participants	  gathered	  online	  to	  share	  their	  knowledge,	  experience,	  and	  ideas	  on	  
the	  evolution	  of	  libraries	  and	  the	  information	  profession.	  This	  article	  reports	  on	  some	  highlights	  
of	  the	  October	  20,	  2015,	  conference.	  Archived	  conference	  presentations	  remain	  free,	  online,	  
and	  open	  to	  all	  at	  http://tinyurl.com/Libr2015presentations.	  
	  
	  
	  
On	  October	  20,	  2015,	  thousands	  of	  information	  professionals	  gathered	  online	  to	  share	  their	  
knowledge,	  experience,	  and	  ideas	  at	  the	  Library	  2.015	  Worldwide	  Virtual	  Conference.	  Attendees	  
came	  from	  all	  corners	  of	  the	  physical	  and	  professional	  worlds,	  representing	  many	  kinds	  of	  
libraries	  across	  a	  dozen	  continents.	  On	  that	  day,	  they	  were	  all	  part	  of	  a	  single	  community,	  
brought	  together	  by	  common	  interests.	  
	  
It	  was	  the	  fifth	  conference	  in	  the	  Library	  2.0	  series,	  founded	  in	  2011	  by	  Dr.	  Sandra	  Hirsh,	  director	  
of	  the	  San	  José	  State	  University	  (SJSU)	  School	  of	  Information	  (iSchool),	  and	  Steve	  Hargadon,	  
leader	  of	  the	  Learning	  Revolution	  Project.	  “Our	  goal,”	  said	  Hirsh,	  “is	  to	  create	  an	  open	  dialog	  
about	  the	  future	  of	  libraries	  in	  the	  digital	  age”	  (2015).	  
	  
Trends	  and	  opportunities	  
The	  conference’s	  keynote	  speakers	  included	  SJSU’s	  Hirsh,	  event	  co-­‐chair,	  Toby	  Greenwalt,	  
director	  of	  digital	  strategy	  and	  technology	  implementation	  for	  the	  Carnegie	  Library	  of	  
Pittsburgh,	  and	  Dr.	  Norman	  Jacknis,	  president	  of	  the	  board	  at	  the	  Metropolitan	  New	  York	  
Library	  Council.	  	  
	  
Each	  keynote,	  in	  its	  own	  way,	  highlighted	  trends	  that	  affect	  information	  professionals	  
everywhere	  and	  drive	  the	  need	  for	  new	  “Tools,	  Skills,	  and	  Competencies,”	  the	  conference	  
theme.	  Jacknis	  (2015),	  for	  example,	  spoke	  of	  how	  trends	  in	  technology,	  society,	  the	  economy,	  
and	  government	  are	  creating	  opportunities	  for	  libraries	  to	  lead	  in	  their	  communities.	  “Librarians	  
should	  not	  just	  wait	  and	  see	  how	  to	  respond	  to	  this	  century's	  trends,”	  he	  said,	  “but	  instead	  seize	  
the	  opportunities	  these	  trends	  open	  up,	  and	  provide	  leadership	  to	  define	  the	  future	  of	  libraries	  
and	  society	  in	  our	  knowledge-­‐based	  economy.”	  
	  
Jacknis	  identified	  eight	  trends	  and	  opportunities	  that	  went	  beyond	  the	  often-­‐cited	  examples	  of	  
ebooks	  and	  makerspaces	  to	  consider	  developments	  like	  machine	  intelligence	  and	  greater	  
individual	  participation	  in	  open	  government.	  Libraries,	  believes	  Jacknis,	  can	  support	  their	  
communities	  by	  offering	  tools	  and	  spaces	  that	  tap	  into	  these	  trends.	  
	  
Core	  competencies	  
The	  conference’s	  distinguished	  speakers	  turned	  toward	  library	  and	  information	  science	  (LIS)	  
fundamentals.	  Speakers	  included	  Dr.	  David	  Weinberger,	  senior	  researcher	  at	  Harvard's	  Berkman	  
Center	  for	  Internet	  &	  Society	  and	  author	  of	  Too	  Big	  To	  Know,	  and	  Dr.	  Michael	  Stephens,	  
associate	  professor	  at	  the	  SJSU	  iSchool	  and	  Library	  Journal	  columnist.	  Both	  speakers	  tackled	  
aspects	  of	  libraries’	  evolving	  core	  competencies,	  whether	  those	  competencies	  are	  embedded	  in	  
people,	  places,	  or	  platforms.1	  Weinberger	  addressed	  the	  library	  as	  platform,	  drawing	  on	  lessons	  
learned	  from	  the	  news	  media,	  while	  Stephens	  focused	  on	  people.	  
	  
Stephens	  led	  a	  conversation—and	  it	  truly	  was	  a	  virtual	  conversation—on	  the	  changing	  library	  
and	  information	  science	  workforce.	  With	  so	  much	  change	  happening	  so	  fast,	  wondered	  
Stephens,	  how	  do	  we	  successfully	  lead	  our	  information	  organizations?	  What	  are	  the	  hallmarks	  
of	  today’s	  savvy	  librarians?	  
	  
Whether	  they’re	  introverts	  or	  extroverts,	  he	  concluded,	  the	  savvy	  librarians	  are	  creative	  and	  
curious.	  “They	  are	  very	  interested	  in	  how	  the	  world	  works,”	  said	  Stephens.	  “They	  are	  conduits,	  
connectors,	  and	  discoverers.	  They	  don’t	  have	  to	  know	  it	  all,	  but	  they	  would	  know	  how	  to	  
connect	  people,	  how	  to	  facilitate	  conversations.	  These	  are	  the	  folks	  you	  would	  want	  to	  let	  loose	  
in	  your	  community,	  the	  ones	  you	  would	  want	  to	  embed	  in	  your	  campus,	  or	  anywhere	  the	  
presence	  of	  the	  library	  should	  be	  felt”	  (2015).	  
	  
Practical	  experiences	  
The	  library’s	  presence	  was	  strongly	  felt	  in	  every	  breakout	  session.	  Throughout	  the	  day,	  dozens	  
of	  sessions	  were	  presented	  by	  information	  professionals	  who	  shared	  their	  research	  and	  best	  
practices	  for	  21st-­‐century	  libraries	  and	  information	  centers.	  Presentations	  were	  organized	  into	  
four	  subject	  strands:	  
• Digital	  services,	  preservation,	  curation,	  and	  access	  
• Emerging	  technologies	  and	  trends	  
• The	  user	  experience	  
• Management	  of	  libraries	  and	  information	  centers	  in	  the	  21st	  century	  
	  
Discussions	  of	  technology	  trends	  and	  applications,	  as	  always,	  were	  popular.	  Attendees	  could	  
learn	  to	  “Become	  Your	  Library’s	  Technology	  Futurist”	  with	  Tina	  D.	  Jagerson,	  an	  information	  
manager	  with	  the	  U.S.	  Department	  of	  Justice,	  or	  hear	  about	  “Librarians	  Utilizing	  Virtual	  Reality”	  
with	  information	  literacy	  consultant	  Dr.	  Valerie	  Hill	  and	  University	  of	  Washington	  researcher	  
Suzette	  Lewis.	  
	  
All	  were	  keenly	  aware	  that	  the	  evolution	  of	  technology	  is	  directly	  affecting	  the	  information	  
professional’s	  job.	  “Content	  formats	  are	  changing,	  and	  so	  are	  our	  searching	  strategies,”	  said	  Hill.	  
“And	  that	  means	  roles	  for	  librarians	  are	  also	  changing”	  (Hill	  &	  Lewis,	  2015).	  
	  
While	  Hill	  believes	  that	  “virtual	  reality	  is	  about	  to	  become	  mainstream,”	  she	  also	  acknowledged	  
that	  “each	  of	  us	  can’t	  be	  an	  expert	  in	  every	  innovation	  that	  comes	  along.	  So	  I	  think	  it’s	  
important	  for	  us	  to	  be	  aware	  of	  new	  technologies,	  and	  it’s	  important	  for	  us	  to	  develop	  a	  
professional	  network	  that	  can	  expose	  us	  to	  new	  ideas,	  new	  formats,	  and	  new	  platforms	  that	  we	  
can	  add	  to	  our	  information	  toolboxes”	  (Hill	  &	  Lewis,	  2015).	  For	  Hill,	  Lewis,	  and	  the	  dozens	  of	  
people	  connecting	  in	  the	  session,	  those	  networks	  were	  expanding	  already.	  
	  
International	  themes	  also	  emerged.	  Library	  2.015	  attendees	  could	  learn	  about	  “Creating	  and	  
Using	  a	  National	  Multilingual	  Authority	  File”	  with	  Ahava	  Cohen,	  librarian	  and	  LIS	  instructor	  at	  
Israel’s	  Beit	  Berl	  College,	  look	  at	  “Cultural	  Differences	  in	  Motivating	  Students	  to	  Seek	  
Information”	  with	  Dr.	  Sherry	  R.	  Crow	  and	  Dr.	  Lisa	  L.	  Kastello,	  who	  teach	  at	  the	  University	  of	  
Nebraska,	  or	  discuss	  “Strategies	  for	  Internationalizing	  LIS	  Courses”	  with	  Melanie	  Sellar,	  founder	  
of	  Librarians	  Without	  Borders,	  a	  nonprofit	  organization	  that	  supports	  libraries	  around	  the	  world.	  
	  
Sellar,	  who	  teaches	  courses	  in	  global	  librarianship	  at	  the	  SJSU	  iSchool,	  offered	  strategies	  for	  
incorporating	  international	  perspectives	  into	  LIS	  education.	  Many	  of	  her	  ideas	  could	  be	  applied	  
to	  other	  types	  of	  courses,	  information	  literacy	  instruction,	  and	  professional	  development	  in	  
general.	  “Internationalization	  has	  become	  a	  stated	  objective	  in	  many	  institutional	  strategic	  
plans,”	  noted	  Sellar	  (2015).	  Instructors	  can	  support	  that	  goal,	  she	  explained,	  by	  incorporating	  
global	  perspectives	  and	  helping	  students	  develop	  intercultural	  competencies.	  Tactics	  can	  be	  as	  
simple	  as	  encouraging	  students	  to	  connect	  with	  people	  in	  other	  countries	  through	  the	  
International	  Librarians	  Network,	  or	  as	  involved	  as	  volunteering	  to	  build	  libraries	  abroad.2	  
	  
“International	  librarianship	  is	  all	  about	  relationships	  and	  cooperation	  and	  collaboration	  between	  
people,”	  said	  Sellar,	  who	  recognized	  Library	  2.015	  as	  an	  important	  opportunity	  for	  international	  
connection.	  “It’s	  great	  to	  be	  part	  of	  such	  a	  wonderful	  conference,”	  she	  added.	  “Free,	  online,	  and	  
global—it’s	  perfectly	  in	  line	  with	  the	  priorities	  and	  values	  of	  Librarians	  Without	  Borders”	  (2015).	  
	  
Learning	  together	  
When	  all	  was	  said	  and	  done,	  more	  than	  50	  presentations	  were	  packed	  into	  13	  hours.	  More	  than	  
3,000	  participants	  from	  20	  countries	  logged	  in	  to	  learn	  on	  conference	  day,	  listening	  to	  speakers	  
and	  joining	  discussions	  through	  voice	  connections	  or	  text	  chat.	  The	  event	  was	  presented	  online	  
via	  Blackboard	  Collaborate	  web	  conferencing,	  and	  all	  presentations	  were	  recorded.	  The	  archives	  
are	  open	  access:	  anyone,	  anywhere,	  is	  welcome	  to	  listen	  to	  the	  recordings	  at	  any	  time,	  and	  no	  
registration	  is	  required.	  Recordings	  of	  previous	  Library	  2.0	  conferences	  also	  remain	  available.	  
	  
To	  access	  archived	  presentations	  from	  the	  Library	  2.015	  conference,	  visit	  the	  SJSU	  iSchool	  
website	  at	  http://tinyurl.com/Libr2015presentations.	  To	  join	  the	  Library	  2.0	  community	  and	  
learn	  about	  future	  events	  as	  they	  are	  announced,	  bookmark	  the	  conference	  website	  at	  
http://www.library20.com.	  
	  
“There’s	  so	  much	  we	  can	  learn	  from	  one	  another,”	  said	  SJSU’s	  Hirsh.	  “Our	  field	  is	  evolving	  
dramatically,	  and	  we’re	  all	  trying	  to	  cope	  with	  changing	  technologies	  and	  user	  needs,	  no	  matter	  
where	  we	  are	  in	  the	  world	  or	  what	  kind	  of	  organization	  we	  work	  in.	  Worldwide	  conferences	  like	  
Library	  2.015	  present	  unique	  opportunities	  to	  share	  our	  knowledge	  and	  spark	  new	  ideas”	  
(2015).	  
	  
Indeed	  they	  do.	  
	  
	  
	  
	  
	  
	  
	  
	  
Notes	  
1.	  For	  more	  on	  the	  concept	  of	  libraries	  as	  people,	  places,	  and	  platforms,	  see	  the	  2014	  report	  
Rising	  to	  the	  Challenge:	  Re-­‐envisioning	  Public	  Libraries,	  by	  Amy	  K.	  Garmer	  of	  the	  Aspen	  Institute,	  
at	  http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/Dialogue-­‐on-­‐Public-­‐Libraries.	  
	  
2.	  To	  learn	  more	  about	  the	  International	  Librarians	  Network,	  visit	  http://interlibnet.org.	  To	  learn	  
more	  about	  Librarians	  Without	  Borders,	  visit	  http://www.librarieswithoutborders.org.	  
	  
	  
	  
References	  
	  
Hill,	  V.,	  &	  Lewis,	  S.	  (2015).	  Librarians	  utilizing	  virtual	  reality.	  Library	  2.015	  conference.	  Retrieved	  
from	  http://ischool.sjsu.edu/center-­‐information-­‐research-­‐and-­‐innovation-­‐ciri/library-­‐2015-­‐
worldwide-­‐virtual-­‐conference/presentations	  -­‐	  2015_emerging.	  
	  
Hirsh,	  S.	  (2015,	  November	  18).	  Personal	  communication.	  
	  
Jacknis,	  N.	  (2015).	  8	  Trends	  create	  8	  opportunities	  for	  21st-­‐century	  libraries	  (LinkedIn	  blog	  post).	  
Retrieved	  from	  http://www.linkedin.com/pulse/8-­‐trends-­‐create-­‐oppor-­‐tunities-­‐21st-­‐century-­‐
libraries-­‐norman-­‐jacknis.	  
	  
Sellar,	  M.	  (2015).	  Strategies	  for	  internationalizing	  LIS	  courses.	  Library	  2.015	  conference.	  
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https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1089&amp;context=slis_pub

Library 2.015 Conference: An Open Dialog About the Future of Libraries

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