Pathfinder (Journal)
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Reflections on Information Literacy in the ChatGPT Era
Get PDFThis article is a reflection on information literacy evaluation heuristics, their use in the post-secondary information literacy instructional context, and the challenges posed to them by large language models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Mike Caulfield’s SIFT and Jane Mandalios’ RADAR are analyzed as examples of heuristics that run into problems when used to critically assess large language models and their generated textual output. The author concludes by sharing thoughts on how he thinks information literacy instruction may be forced to change by generative artificial intelligence in the future
Referral Strategies: A Learning Object for Chat Operators
Get PDFLive chat services are now a commonplace communication channel in many libraries. This learning object is geared towards the academic library setting in particular and focuses on building two distinct skills among chat operators. First, recognizing when to refer and, second, strategies for making successful referrals. Utilizing the web-based platform Genially, this training resource is designed as an interactive presentation template that can be customized to suit local needs. The learning object includes four example chat scenarios, a review quiz, a collaborative bulletin board, and further readings. It is expected that chat operators will have varying degrees of familiarity with general reference work and aims to create a shared foundation of core referral skills on chat. This resource is envisioned as one part of what should be a broader training program, as opposed to a stand-alone resource
The Library’s Educational Role in Bridging the Digital Divide
Get PDFSociety has steadily grown more technology-reliant and continues to shift toward digital landscapes for education, business, government, and personal tasks. Alongside these trends there increases a chasm between various privileged and disadvantaged social groups who do or do not have access and knowledge to participate in a digital society. School, public, and academic libraries have an integral role to play in providing both education and access tools to communities to enhance people’s ability to participate in digital activities. By collaborating with each other to decrease the digital divide(s), libraries and social institutions can help to create digitally ethical and responsible participants. This paper explores and compiles existing literature and initiatives regarding the challenges and solutions for libraries aiming to bridge the digital divide(s), what digital literacy and digital citizenship are, and emphasizes the role of educating communities as equally important as providing access to technology.  
SIMSArchive: Reflections on Processing 50 years of LIS Student Association Records
Get PDFA reflection on processing LIS student association records in preparation for their move to the Dalhousie Archives, from the perspective of an MI student. This reflection comments on the importance of preserving student knowledge, a workshop series that was developed to provide instruction and learning opportunities for archive-minded students, and key takeaways from the project that may be of interest or significance to other academic student associations grappling with managing and preserving the records of their organizations
A Human Librarian Interviews ChatGPT
Get PDFIn an effort to understand how ChatGPT might be used as a scholarly research tool, I conducted an informal, unstructured interview with the AI chatbot. I learned that it generates its responses based on patterns it identifies in its large reservoir of text data; ChatGPT cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information it presents, nor cite its sources. For this reason, instead of being used as an information source in itself, ChatGPT may be better suited as an information assistant, helping researchers design searches for information in other sources in tandem with “human librarians” (as it designates academic librarians like myself). This reflective piece describes and evaluates the AI chatbot using its own generated content and provides a foundation from which librarians can explore the topic of AI chatbots and scholarly research within information literacy classes
Talks and Transformation: An Introduction to the FIP 2023 Conference
Get PDFThis introduction to the 2023 Forum for Information Professionals (FIP) Conference Extended Abstracts discusses this year’s theme of climate change and the LIS field in the context of the changes and transitions the academic, student-organized conference continues to take
Belonging and Uniqueness as Essential Elements for Inclusive Workplaces: A Literature Review
Get PDFDespite efforts spanning two decades, the LIS field struggles to diversify its workforce. This literature review examines research focussed on the ways belonging and uniqueness work together to create genuinely inclusive workplaces. The review attempts to answer the question, “From the perspective of people working in libraries in Canada, how have efforts to create diverse and inclusive library workplaces affected their sense of belonging and uniqueness?”. The question is one way to translate the lived experience of people working in Canadian libraries into an evaluative measure of organizational diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work, provided it is positioned within a foundational understanding of the relationship between DEI, belonging and uniqueness. Optimal Distinctiveness Theory (ODT) forms the foundation for much of the research and is identified as a key element of inclusivity. Models of belonging and uniqueness research are included as well as a discussion of the gaps in and future directions for research in the LIS field
How are Public Libraries in Alberta Responding to the Needs of Older Adults? A Literature Review
Get PDFDespite the increasing number of adults aged 60 and older, there is a gap in studies of library programming and services aimed at this demographic in Canada, especially ones based in the western part of the country. This literature review will examine existing studies in the area of public library programming for older adults, as well as how these libraries are meeting the needs of older patrons in terms of issues pertaining to accessibility and accommodations
Fossils in a Digital Age: Preserving 3D Fossil Data in Digital Libraries
Get PDFDigital libraries are a powerful tool for preserving and disseminating information in a technology-driven world. Providing options for housing non-traditional information, such as three-dimensional (3D) data, digital libraries also address barriers (e.g., geographic location and physical space) that affect traditional libraries. While there are certainly still barriers that may prevent users from accessing and utilizing digital content, digital libraries offer ways of preserving, housing, and disseminating non-traditional information that physical libraries cannot. Within the anthropological community, digital libraries can serve as a method of housing 3D fossil data. There are unique challenges and barriers associated with studying fossils that digital libraries help to break down. Through the preservation and dissemination of 3D fossil data, researchers across the globe can work with fossil data without the concerns associated with handling fragile fossils. However, such 3D digital libraries are not without challenges. While there are clear standards and metadata schemas (e.g., RDA and DCMI) for digital libraries containing traditional materials, no such standardization exists for digital libraries containing 3D data. As such, metadata requirements and elements for existing 3D digital libraries are inconsistent and may lack important details about the data, which can compromise functionality. This paper explores trends and challenges that digital libraries containing 3D data experience and highlights best-practice solutions for future 3D digital libraries to overcome these challenges
Travels with a Small-town Librarian: Reflections from Coast to Coast
Get PDFA rural public library acts like a community hub just like its urban counterpart. In many ways, both offer the same services to their regional clientele. However, the methods those services are delivered need to uniquely adapt to the small community it services. As a Library and Information Science (LIS) professional, the rural library requires patience and understanding in order to mesh together formal education and realistic practices. From adjusting collection development goals to managing unionized staff, your degree cannot prepare you for everything. The experiences gained from this hands-on learning is unforgettable and incredibly rewarding for a young professional