Libraries Lead!

EPISODE 35 (NOV 2024) A Once in a Lifetime...Again and Again and Again

Natural and human-made crises, disasters, emergencies, and catastrophes. Whatever the cause (climate change, poverty, disease, overpopulation, war), it's undeniable that communities and individuals are continually facing daunting problems and challenges across the globe. In the first year of this podcast in Episode 11 (Nov 2021), we discussed how everyday people are just trying to survive, the roles and responsibilities of government and public service officials in dealing with crises, and of course, how library & information staff and institutions can provide essential services and resources. It's 3 years later, and in the face of even more severe hurricanes, fires, wars, and more chaos globally, we again focus on this crucial topic. Three years ago, Beth Patin was our guest speaker. She was a leading "crisis informatics" expert due to her work after Hurricane Katrina and her PhD studies. Now, as a tri-host of this podcast, she leads us through an update on this topic--the current status, how we've progressed or declined in our collective ability to deal with crises, and how the library & information field can play an even more active and visible role in preparing for, during, and recovering from these disasters.

BONUS INTERVIEW (September 2024) - Rebekah Cummings, Librarian & 2024 Candidate for Lt. Gov of Utah!

Rebekah Cummings is interviewed by Dave Lankes. Rebekah was chosen to run with Gubernatorial candidate, Brian King. He described Rebekah as:“A mom. A public servant. A librarian. A defender against book banning and censorship. Utahns will be well served by Rebekah’s leadership through her advocacy for intellectual freedom and commitment to empowering families.”Rebekah is the Director of Digital Matters and Associate Librarian at the University of Utah Marriott Library. In 2018 – 2019, Rebekah served as the Utah Library Association President, and she currently serves as the Utah State Library Board Chair. Since 2019, Rebekah has championed library issues and funding as Co-Chair of the Utah Library Association Advocacy Committee. In this role, she and her advocacy partners have won multiple awards, including the 2019 American Library Association Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Award, 2021 Utah Library Association Legislative Award for Excellence in Political Affairs and Library Advocacy, and 2023 ACLU Utah Torch of Freedom Award for the Let Utah Read coalition.NOTE: THIS INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE AS A VIDEO ON THE LIBRARY JOURNAL YouTube Channel - https://youtu.be/kHrNVvyQD_g 

Episode 34 (October 2024) AI-Corrosion (and Repair!) of Trust in Public Institutions

Corrosive AI: Effects On and Expanded Roles Of Libraries and the Information FieldSigh. It’s not enough that our instantly and continually connected information environment has eroded trust everywhere—including in our public institutions. The Internet, World Wide Web, and social media have been super-spreaders for misinformation (unintended misleading or false information) and dis-information (purposeful spreading of lies or deceptive information). But now, there is an even more powerful force at everyone’s fingertips-Artificial Intelligence. AI  now offers a set of multimedia tools and techniques to turbo-charge the creation and communication of false or misleading information. Referred to as “corrosive AI” by our colleague Riley Lankes, AI provides a new level of capability to undermine trust, particularly in government and public institutions, and unfortunately yes, even in libraries.  In this first podcast of our 5th season, and our first season in partnership with Library Journal, we try out some of these new AI tools, focus on the corrosive effects, and conclude with ways that libraries and librarians can help to repair or even avoid the damage.Also - check out our BONUS VIDEO INTERVIEW - Rebekah Cummings is interviewed by Dave Lankes. Rebekah was chosen to run with Gubernatorial candidate, Brian King. He described Rebekah as: “A mom. A public servant. A librarian. A defender against book banning and censorship. Utahns will be well served by Rebekah’s leadership through her advocacy for intellectual freedom and commitment to empowering families.” Rebekah is the Director of Digital Matters and Associate Librarian at the University of Utah Marriott Library. In 2018 – 2019, Rebekah served as the Utah Library Association President, and she currently serves as the Utah State Library Board Chair. NOTE: THIS INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE AS A VIDEO ON THE LIBRARY JOURNAL YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/kHrNVvyQD_gFor References & Resources for this episode visit us at https://librarieslead.libraryjournal.com/2024/10/01/episode-34-october-2024-corrosion-and-repair-of-trust-in-public-institutions/ For References & Resources  of All Episodes Visit us at https://librarieslead.libraryjournal.com/ 

Episode 33 (May/June 2024): TikTok—Is the Clock Really Ticking for TikTok?

TikTok! Used regularly by over half the US population, why do so many either love or loathe TikTok? Is it simply a fun and terrific platform for creating, sharing, and consuming content? Is it an addictive, mental health hazard destroying America’s youth? Is it a major national security threat of Chinese infiltration? Is it all of the above…and more? We first discussed TikTok two years ago in Episode 15 (Feb 2022): Life, the Universe and Everything Social Media. But now it demands a closer look as use continues to skyrocket, its impact on US culture is undeniable, and federal and state governments seek to control or ban its use. So, hickory dickory dock. Join us as we run up (and down) the TikTok clock.   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For References & Resources for this episode visit us athttps://1n2.b2c.myftpupload.com/episode-33-may-june-2024-tiktok-is-the-clock-really-ticking-for-tiktok/For References & Resources  of All Episodes Visit us athttps://1n2.b2c.myftpupload.com/ 

Episode 32 (April 2024): Optimistically Realistic (or Realistically Optimistic) About AI?

In this episode, we return to one of our favorite topics– the new AI. But rather than focus on the latest “gee whiz” or OMG capabilities, we turn to the societal implications and impact side of the topic. Dave raised this topic wondering if it’s another case of, “this is why we can't have nice things anymore.” Why is it that for world-changing technologies over the past half-century that held great promise for the betterment of humanity (e.g., personal computers, the Internet, the World Wide Web, search, mobile devices, social media) instead wound up adding stress to personal and professional lives, widening economic and social inequality, and became new tools for scams and crime. Is Dave right or is it possible that we can be realistic but optimistic about AI, that is, to be good information people with a necessary critical view - not a tech bro nor a Luddite. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For References & Resources for this episode visit us athttps://1n2.b2c.myftpupload.com/episode-32-april-2024-optimistically-realistic-or-realistically-optimistic-about-ai For References & Resources  of All Episodes Visit us athttps://1n2.b2c.myftpupload.com/