Category: News

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Library Journal Posts An Introduction to Triptych

As part of the partnership with Library Journal in the publication of my new book, Triptych: Death, AI, and Librarianship, they are posting excerpts from the book. The first one is now online here. In the book it is titled TL;DR an Introduction.

As the title implies it is an encapsulation of the key themes of the book including libraries moving from serving to saving communities, the need to find joy in a time of hardship, AI, and the need for librarians with and without degrees.

In the coming weeks we’ll be posting additional content, and are planning webinars on these topics as well. Stay tuned.

Triptych: Death, AI, and Librarianship is now available via Amazon.

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R. David Lankes Releases New Book on Libraries, AI, and Democracy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2025

R. David Lankes Releases New Book on Libraries, AI, and Democracy

Triptych: Death, AI, and Librarianship reframes the future of libraries of all types as a lifeline for community and connection.

Philadelphia, PA — R. David Lankes, in association with Library Journal, proudly announces the release of Triptych: Death, AI, and Librarianship—a daring, deeply personal, and visionary work that confronts the most urgent challenges facing libraries today.

In an era marked by deep social divides, technological disruption, and growing isolation, Triptych offers a transformative vision: that libraries can—and must—do more than inform; they can save lives. Joined by Jain Orr and Qianzi Cao, Lankes presents three bold lectures that challenge librarians to embrace their role as catalysts for community, justice, and human resilience.

“Triptych is a manifesto,” says Lankes. “It’s a call for librarians to resist despair, champion equity, and guide communities through the ethical complexities of artificial intelligence and rising authoritarianism—not by standing apart, but by standing together.”

Library Journal will feature a series of exclusive excerpts, author interviews, and companion essays on its digital platforms. In addition, LJ will partner with Lankes to host webinars throughout the coming year exploring each of the book’s major themes—from AI ethics to joy as resistance and the emergence of “feral librarians.”

Inside Triptych, readers will find:

  • A radical redefinition of librarianship rooted in mission, empathy, and action
  • A critical look at AI’s impact on trust, literacy, and community cohesion
  • A passionate defense of libraries as democratic, transformative spaces
  • A post-industrial vision for libraries centered on agency, adaptability, and radical inclusion

“Dr. Lankes’ reputation as a provocative and compassionate library thinker is reinforced in this latest work,” said Library Journal Editor-in-Chief Hallie Rich. “Triptych presents a vision for librarianship grounded in the issues libraries grapple with today, and we’re excited to help bring these ideas into the center of the profession’s conversation.”

Triptych: Death, AI, and Librarianship is available now through Amazon, and soon through major booksellers.

The first of a series of excerpts from Triptych: Death, AI, and Librarianship, can be found on the Library Journal website.

Media Contact:
rdlankes@utexas.edu

Author Website: https://DavidLankes.org

Library Journal Website: https://www.libraryjournal.com/

About Library Journal:
Founded in 1876, Library Journal is the leading voice of the library community, providing trusted reporting, reviews, and insights to help libraries and librarians thrive in a changing world.

About R. David Lankes:
R. David Lankes is the Virginia & Charles Bowden Professor of Librarianship at the University of Texas at Austin and a leading advocate for community librarianship. His work explores how libraries can empower communities to confront real-world challenges with knowledge, empathy, and hope.

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Lankes to Present 1st Annual ASIS&T President’s Lecture

I’m honored to give the inaugural President’s Lecture to ASIS&T September 19 at 10 am Eastern Time.

From the ASIS&T site:

ASIS&T is delighted to announce the launch of the Annual ASIS&T President’s Lecture. The Lecture will be open to the public and delivered via Zoom to ensure that all who wish to may attend.

The inaugural ASIS&T President’s Lecture will take place September 19 at 10 am Eastern Time (find your time here) and be presented by R. David Lankes, Virginia and Charles Bowden Professor of Librarianship at the University of Texas at Austin.

Click here for more information and to register: https://www.asist.org/2024/07/24/lankes-to-present-1st-annual-asist-presidents-lecture/

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On the Passing of Fred Roper

I just learned that Fred Roper has passed away. Fred was a previous dean of the School of Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina. When I joined as director in 2016, Fred was not only welcoming, but extremely generous with his time. He was an invaluable mentor in my first true administrative role.

We would have regular breakfasts to talk about the school, and he was always forthcoming with advice and learned experience. He always said he would never offer advice unless I asked…he mostly stuck to that. In the end his advice was always welcomed and sought after.

I leave it to others to write about his academic achievements, his love of Chapel Hill, his award winning baking abilities, and his deep caring. I can only remark on how I will miss our discussions and his giving nature. I send my deepest condolences to his spouse Jon, and to the entire South Carolina community. Today we lost a great one.

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State libraries to explore strategic use of AI around workforce development

February 1, 2024

AUSTIN, TX—The Collaborative Institute for Rural Communities & Librarianship (CIRCL) today announced the launch of the SLAAIT Project. The State Libraries and AI Technologies Working Group is a joint project of 14 state libraries and the Gigabit Libraries Network to understand the opportunities, challenges, and risks associated with AI and the library sector.

“Artificial Intelligence (AI) has already profoundly changed the way people find information, communicate, produce media, and learn about the world. AI will continue to change work; from automation in manufacturing, to how energy is distributed across a smart grid, to the use of generative AI to produce marketing, the workforce of our states will change,” according to the SLAAIT web site.

Participating state library agencies to date are from: Texas, Georgia, Iowa, New Jersey, Colorado, Washington, Hawaii, Delaware, New York, North Carolina, Arizona, Tennessee, Michigan and Ohio. Participation remains open and more states are anticipated to join. “It feels like we are at another seminal crossroads in libraries and access to information,” says Jennifer Nelson, New Jersey State Librarian.

Following the release of a federal executive order in October, an increasing number of state governments are also proposing or implementing new regulations and guidelines for the use of AI. This is creating a demand for strategic response from the state library agencies. “We’re so appreciative of Don and David’s leadership to ensure that Delaware Libraries, and all libraries,
can continue to stay ahead of the curve as technology evolves!” says Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian of Delaware.

More information on the project can be found at https://slaait.circl.community

Coordinated by The University of Texas at Austin, the Collaborative Institute for Rural Communities & Librarianship is a think tank by, for, and of the rural library community and aligned partners including universities, government agencies and companies. https://circl.community

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Gretchen Pruett Named Bowden Fellow

Gretchen Pruett, director of the New Braunfels Public Library, and current president of the Texas Library Association is the newest Bowden Fellow. Pruett brings her deep experience in library leadership and her work through TxLA on intellectual freedom issues and through the her post on the Board of the Tocker Foundation, her knowledge of rural libraries.

Director Pruett will be advising the Bowden Professor on how to better connect and serve public libraries.

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AI, the Next Chapter for College Librarians

I was quoted several times in a good piece on academic libraries and AI

“This does change things, but in a very good way,” said R. David Lankes, the Virginia and Charles Bowden Professor of Librarianship at the University of Texas at Austin. “Librarians, every decade or so, are getting good at dealing with an existential crisis of ‘Do we need librarians?’ But with this one they’ve been very open to embrace, discuss and analyze this.”

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-innovation/libraries/2023/11/03/ai-marks-next-chapter-college-librarians?fbclid=IwAR2lbLRR2FU0qKH-It5zJMBoR_YrmUR6VRp2gWLZHp-7BGk-ChfkYvGfqvg

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Lankes Named to Inaugural Research Leaders Academy

I’m proud to be part of this new program at the University of Texas at Austin.

“Congratulations to the inaugural cohort of the UT Research Leaders Academy! 15 researchers from 10 colleges were selected to participate. 

The academy is a partnership between OVPR and the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost (EVPP) to support UT researchers who aspire to lead, or are already leading, large-scale research initiatives. Participants will work closely with OVPR staff to learn how to scope a large-scale, shared scholarly vision with colleagues, how to secure external support to realize that shared vision, and how to successfully implement and manage their vision. 

We’re excited to partner with the Provost’s Office to help researchers develop their leadership skills! “

https://provost.utexas.edu/2023/08/21/2023-inaugural-members-of-the-aspiring-and-research-leaders-academies/
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Jeff Penka named Bowden Advisor

Jeff Penka, President/CEO, LittleSeed, Inc. (https://littleseed.io) has been named as an advisor to the Bowden Professor joining Roosevelt Weeks, Angela Craig, Lorraine J. Haricombe, and Jim Neal. The informal advisory board gives the Bowden Professor advice, keeps him apprised of opportunities, and helps connect the work of the professorship to the greater library community.

Penka brings a background in library services, and extensive experience in entrepreneurship. His bio:

ENTREPRENEURIAL TECHNOLOGY LEADER
Strong innovative, executive leader and senior product management professional with over 20 years proven experience in:

  • characterizing market needs across a variety of industries and the consumer web
  • defining product vision, portfolio and product roadmaps, market introduction and launch plans
  • creating and managing web-based, multisided businesses
  • leading product development efforts and organizational process transformations
  • deploying and supporting information services globally

Offers a unique blend of exceptional communications, project and business management, product development, and technology expertise. Skilled in developing technology-based services, managing geographically distributed and matrixed teams, and leading organizational, cultural, process, and business transformations.

Specializing in lean business and product practices; utilizing outcomes-focused processes to rapidly validate and evolve market appropriate solutions.

Veteran public speaker, recognized author, trainer, and facilitator.

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Margo Gustina Named Bowden Fellow

Margo Gustina is a researcher. An outspoken believer in the power of community to lead libraries toward more meaningful practice, Margo works with libraries, facilitating planning, funding, and governance conversations and processes. In addition, Margo is the Principal Investigator on the federally-funded Libraries In Community Systems project.

They will be working with the Bowden Professor on projects from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission around rural librarian certification, credentialing, and other related rural library projects.