ITAL Information Technology and Libraries (E-Journal)
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Uncovering the Works by Early Modern Women Printers: An Experiment with Generative AI
Get PDFThe contributions of women to the printing trade during the hand press era have long been under- documented, leaving significant historical gaps in our understanding of early print culture. This article presents a project that uses ChatGPT-4o, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, to help bridge those gaps by identifying, analyzing, and contextualizing the work of women printers represented in the University of Notre Dame’s rare book collections
Intergenerationally Accessible Makerspaces: How Carroll County Public Library's Exploration Commons Serves Our Local Senior Population
Get PDFWhen envisioning a high-tech makerspace, you might first think about younger customers; however, since opening in December 2021, Carroll County Public Library’s Exploration Commons at 50 East has created a place of learning and sharing that knows no age limit. From programs designed for seniors, resources for entrepreneurs, and opportunities for volunteering, Exploration Commons provides a center for intergenerational knowledge exchange where our community’s senior population thrives. 
Leveraging Innovative Technologies for Improved Library Practices in the Digital Era: The Nigerian Perspective
Get PDFLack of expertise, among other reasons, has been cited as the reason for Nigerian libraries’ sluggish adoption and application of innovative technology. To solve this problem, a thorough analysis of the level of technology implementation in Nigerian libraries is needed. This work closes the gap in the literature by using the PRISMA search method to examine 42 pertinent works published between 2016 and 2023. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 240 respondents using the survey approach. Six federal university libraries were selected by a stratified random sampling procedure, one from each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Then, 40 library employees from each of the selected libraries were selected using a purposive sample technique. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the responses. The results demonstrate a grand mean of 2.44 (SD=1.15), indicating low staff awareness of the potential benefits of innovative technology for library operations. A negative grand mean of 2.42 on the degree of usage was also noted, indicating low use of cutting-edge technology in the research area. A lack of internet penetration, a deficiency of digital literacy, insufficient funds, and unstable power sources were among the problems found limiting Nigerian libraries from taking advantage of advanced technologies. In light of this, the study suggests that the Nigerian government should increase budget allocations for libraries and enhance policies that support the self-development of library staff. Additionally, libraries in developing countries should seek mentorship from those in developed nations to update their knowledge and skills, enabling better implementation and deployment of cutting-edge technology in their libraries
Ready Year One: Lessons Learned During Our First Year in Virtual Reality
Get PDFThis reflective piece chronicles the first year of establishing a Virtual Reality (VR) program at the Paul Sawyier Public Library in Frankfort, Kentucky. Beginning with limited VR experience and a modest budget, the author navigated the challenges of launching the initiative—from equipment procurement and account management to program development and community engagement. The library introduced VR experiences aimed at enhancing digital literacy, education, and recreation for diverse age groups, achieving notable success with programs such as Anne Frank House VR and Maestro VR. Lessons learned included the importance of thorough preparation, selecting age-appropriate content, embracing community feedback, and adapting programming to audience needs. Despite early obstacles, the VR initiative attracted over 50 participants in its first year, demonstrating the community’s readiness for emerging technologies. Building on this momentum, the library plans to expand its VR offerings, cementing virtual reality as an innovative and inclusive tool for lifelong learning and engagement in a rural setting
The Evolution of Library Automation Systems in Chinese Academic Libraries
Get PDFWith the rapid development of information technology, automated systems in Chinese academic libraries have undergone a process from inception to maturity. This study aims to review the development history of automated systems in Chinese academic libraries and provide a forward-looking analysis of their future trends. Through the review of historical data, this paper summarizes the development characteristics of automated systems in Chinese academic libraries. By conducting a survey of automated systems in the libraries of 39 Double First-Class universities in China, the current status of automated systems in Chinese academic libraries is analyzed. The article concludes by proposing future directions for the development of automated systems in Chinese academic libraries
Using Springshare’s LibCal to Move Librarians off the Reference Desk
Get PDFIn 2022, a task group at the University of Victoria Libraries moved reference service off the desk and into an appointments model. We used Springshare’s LibCal to create a public web calendar and booking system, with librarians setting office hours and appointments done over Zoom, phone, or in person. LibCal allows us to send feedback follow-up requests to appointments and to keep stats and assess usage. This article is a practical case study in implementing a service model change, with emphasis on how we adapted LibCal to support the service to serve librarians and students
Prospects of Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) for Academic Library Search and Retrieval
Get PDFThis paper examines the integration of retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems within academic library environments, focusing on their potential to transform traditional search and retrieval mechanisms. RAG combines the natural language understanding capabilities of large language models with structured retrieval from verified knowledge bases, offering a novel approach to academic information discovery. The study analyzes the technical requirements for implementing RAG in library systems, including embedding pipelines, vector databases, and middleware architecture for integration with existing library infrastructure. We explore how RAG systems can enhance search precision through semantic indexing, real-time query processing, and contextual understanding while maintaining compliance with data privacy and copyright regulations. The research highlights RAG’s ability to improve user experience through personalized research assistance, conversational interfaces, and multimodal content integration. Critical considerations including ethical implications, copyright compliance, and system transparency are addressed. Our findings indicate that while RAG presents significant opportunities for advancing academic library services, successful implementation requires careful attention to technical architecture, data protection, and user trust. The study concludes that RAG integration holds promise for revolutionizing academic library services while emphasizing the need for continued research in areas of scalability, ethical compliance, and cost-effective implementation
MAPping out the Future from the Past
Get PDFMountain West Digital Library (MWDL) was founded in 2001 and offers a public search portal supporting discovery of over a million items from digitized historical collections throughout the US Mountain West. This aggregation work necessitates a metadata application profile (MAP) to ensure metadata consistency and interoperability from the regional member network of libraries, archives, and cultural heritage organizations. Unique issues arise in combining metadata from diverse local digital repository platforms and aggregation technology infrastructure introduces further constraints, challenges, and opportunities. Upstream aggregation of metadata in the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) also influences local and regional metadata modeling decisions. This article traces the history of MWDL’s MAPs, comparing and contrasting five published standards to date. In particular, it will focus primarily on decisions and changes made in the most recent version, published in early 2020
Weed Your Budget: Visualizing an Academic Library’s Financial Position
Get PDFThis paper presents a case study about opportunities for libraries to elevate reporting on their organization's financial status, transactions, and available funds using data visualization, specifically with Power BI, based on work at University of Oregon Libraries. The Power BI dashboard aggregates data from the university’s financial system and integrated library system to provide a consolidated view, and to tell the library's story in a more engaging way. The author proposes using this type of business intelligence technology to provide a transformative impact on financial operations of libraries