AAAL AGM – Save the Date (May 2, 2025) & Call for Proposals

The Alberta Association of Academic Libraries (AAAL) Spring 2025 Annual General Meeting will be held Friday, May 2, 2025 and hosted by MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta.

Call for Presentation Proposals
Due to the success of last year’s programming, there is no set theme; we welcome presentation proposals with a range of topics, such as current initiatives, topics of interest to our members, and more. Looking for inspiration? Browse our meetings page to view programming from past meetings. There are two presentation formats to choose from:

25-Minute Presentations: A bit more in-depth, allowing you to share research, tools, programs, or services with some room for engaging discussions or activities.

7-Minute Lightning Talks: Quick snapshots to give a brief overview of your idea, research, experience, program, or service.

 

Please submit your proposal by Monday, March 17th. If you have an idea for a presentation that does not follow the above formats, please reach out to aaal.executive@gmail.com. Successful presenters will hear back the week of March 17th.

For information about how presentations are reviewed, please visit our Presentation Rubric for Selecting AAAL Presentations. 

More information about the AGM, including registration and a full conference schedule, is forthcoming. 

We look forward to connecting with you all in May! 

Kind Regards, 

The AAAL Learning & Development Committee

GAIL 2025: Call for Proposals

This call for proposals may be of interest to some AAAL members:

For inquiries or further information, please contact: GenAIinLibraries@gmail.com.

You are invited to submit a proposal for the 2nd annual Generative AI in Libraries (GAIL) virtual conference aimed specifically at librarians here: https://forms.gle/QzvMY9kcuL6JbWLK8.

This conference seeks to explore the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in libraries. It is also an opportunity for librarians to share their experiences with generative AI technologies and their applications in the library setting.

Scheduled to take place June 9, 10, 11, and 12, 2025 from 1-4pm EDT each day, the GAIL virtual conference aims to promote a deeper understanding of how generative AI can revolutionize library services like instruction, research support, collection management, access services, outreach and collaboration, while also addressing the challenges and ethical considerations this new technology brings to libraries.

We welcome submissions from librarians, researchers, educators, and practitioners working in libraries or related fields with AI. Submissions are now being accepted for posters, presentations, workshops, panel discussions, lightning talks, discussion groups or demonstrations on topics related to generative AI and its applications in, and implications for libraries, including but not limited to the following tracks:

  • AI implementation in libraries
  • Ethical considerations and policy in AI
  • AI and teaching/Information Literacy
  • AI applications or products
  • AI Impact on Library Services or Librarianship

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

  1. A Framework for AI Pragmatism

Michael Flierl, Associate Professor & Student Learning Librarian, The Ohio State University

The future of AI is not predetermined; we have the power to shape its trajectory. This keynote presents AI Pragmatism, a practical framework for action that empowers libraries to influence AI development in alignment with professional values. Drawing inspiration from John Dewey’s philosophy, we will explore how libraries can foster student-centered learning environments and serve as laboratories for ethical, human-centered AI use. By engaging actively with AI, we can ensure these technologies solve problems, serve the public good, and advance our shared values.

  1. Ships and Shipwrecks: How Public Libraries will Navigate the Age of AI

Nick Tanzi, Assistant Director, South Huntington Public Library

The age of AI is here, and its arrival comes with plenty of uncertainty! How are public libraries interacting with generative AI? What is an appropriate relationship with this technology? Finally, what role can libraries play in promoting AI literacy in our communities?

Proposal submission requirements:

  • Name(s) and affiliation(s) of Presenter(s)
  • Brief bio of each presenter
  • Description of proposed activity (word limits vary by category)

CATEGORIES

  • Session format– All sessions will be 45 minutes in length except lightning talks (10 minutes + 5 minutes Q&A) and poster sessions.
  • Demonstrations – are live demonstrations of a specific AI application/product and how it can be used in a library setting.
  • Discussion Groups – are interactive conversations about practices, research applications, or topics of interest to library professionals facilitated by one or two individuals on a specific topic initiated using questions selected by the facilitators (included in the proposal).
  • Lightning Talks – distill a larger talk into 10 minutes of the most relevant material on a topic with a 5-minute Q&A. Presenters will share innovative projects, new approaches, and research summaries.
  • Panel Discussion – is a structured, informative conversation on a proposed topic featuring three to five panelists with different perspectives sharing ideas and answering questions in front of an audience.
  • Poster – a visual image (PDF) illustrating a project, process, research summary, instructional example, etc. that includes a link and QR code to a recorded explanation of the poster contents. Poster authors will be asked to respond to viewer questions generated online during the 4 days of the conference.
  • Presentations – are formal talks given by one or more individuals on a specific topic, project, or research area.
  • Workshops – include hands-on, interactive sessions designed to teach specific skills or provide in-depth knowledge on a particular topic.

DATES:

  • Proposal submission deadline: February 22, 2025
  • Notification of acceptance: April 15, 2025
  • Confirmation due from accepted presenters: May 1, 2025
  • Conference Registration opens: May 15, 2025 (ALL presenters MUST register)
  • Conference dates: June 9, 10, 11, & 12 from 1-4pm EDT each day (excluding welcoming and closing remarks)

For inquiries or further information, please contact: GenAIinLibraries@gmail.com. We look forward to receiving your proposals and engaging in insightful discussions at the conference!

Sent on behalf of,
Generative AI in Libraries (GAIL) Committee

AAAL Sub-Committee Opportunities

The Alberta Association of Academic Libraries (AAAL) is seeking volunteers from member institutions to fill the following Sub-Committee Vacancies:

Communications Committee – 1 vacancy (2-year term) (Webmaster Position)
The Communications Committee is responsible for coordinating AAAL communications, including all social media accounts, the AAAL blog, and maintaining the AAAL website.

Statistics and Assessment Committee – 1 vacancy (2-year term)

The Statistics and Assessment Committee is responsible for collecting and compiling the annual AAAL statistics from each member institution, identifying assessment topics of interest to AAAL membership, and overseeing inquiries into these areas.

For a full list of responsibilities for each role/committee, please visit the AAAL Bylaws Page. Any questions about the roles can be sent to Andrea Johnston (andrea.johnston@rdpolytech.ca)

All staff from AAAL member institutions are eligible. For Sub-Committee positions, we only require an expression of interest. Expressions of interest can be sent to the AAAL Executive (aaal.executive@gmail.com)

The deadline for applications/nominations is Friday, December 13, 2024.

Please let us know if you have any questions and thank you for considering!

Andrea Johnston, Chair-Elect, AAAL

AAAL Executive Board

AAAL 2024 Fall Meeting Package

Our 2024 fall meeting package, which includes the business portion of our meeting and the professional development portion of the fall meeting, is now available.

 

If you haven’t registered yet, AAAL’s 2024 Fall Meeting is taking place online on Thursday, November 21st from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. All staff from member institutions are invited to join.

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbCBapCbQPOFf4iATL16OSQmMCh4KrM5-rwIwqR2g2SFZYqQ/viewform

We look forward to meeting you all online soon! If you have any questions or concerns,
please contact aaal.executive@gmail.com.

Kind Regards,
AAAL Learning & Development Committee

AAAL All Committees Meeting Minutes

In an effort to keep the AAAL community informed and up to date on our work, we are sharing the minutes from our All Committees meetings.

Please find a copy of last week’s meeting minutes here.

Highlights to note: 

  • If you are interested in hosting the Spring AGM, please contact the Learning & Development Committee
  • Please watch for the survey from the Statistics & Assessment Committee (out this week)
  • Thank you to Matthew Black for his many years of service on the Mentorship Committee!

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the Fall Meeting on November 21st.

If you haven’t registered for the AAAL Fall Meeting yet, please do so below:

 

Kind regards,

AAAL Executive Team

aaal.executive@gmail.com