Triptych World Tour Goes to Scotland

Join us for a lecture by visiting Professor and Author R. David Lankes, exploring his recent book ‘Triptych: Death, AI and Librarianship’

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/death-ai-and-librarianship-a-professor-r-david-lankes-lecture-tickets-1980451536859

Join CILIPS for a special event taking place in Edinburgh, delivered in partnership with the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), where we are delighted to welcome Professor R. David Lankes for a one hour lecture in the National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. The lecture will begin at 11am and finish at 12pm, please ensure that you arrive promptly and take your seat before the lecture begins.

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I’m in love with Brazil

Last week I had the absolute honor of presenting in Sao Paulo Brazil I spoke at FESPSP 85th anniversary of their library science program and at the 23º Seminário Nacional de Bibliotecas Universitárias (23rd National Seminar of University Libraries). I met so many dedicated and innovative librarians working to make Brazil better through librarianship. The programs, scholarship, and initiatives were world-class. The students brilliant. On a personal note, I cannot tell you how meaningful it is to see one’s work being put into action and having a real impact.

I would like to thank everyone I had a chance to meet and learn from. Special thanks to Jorge Prado, Adriana Ferrari, and Adriana Souza.

Death, AI, and Librarianship

“Death, AI, and Librarianship” Plenary. 23º Seminário Nacional de Bibliotecas Universitárias. Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Abstract: Em uma era marcada pelo isolamento social, desinformação e crescente desesperança, bibliotecários de todos os tipos devem evoluir de prestadores de serviço passivos para agentes ativos de resiliência comunitária e infraestrutura que salva vidas. Esta palestra desafia as definições tradicionais da Biblioteconomia, defendendo um modelo mais inclusivo e adaptável, que valorize missão, valores e engajamento comunitário acima de credenciais formais. Ao abraçar a alegria, o uso ético da IA e as narrativas locais, os bibliotecários podem fomentar a confiança, empoderar comunidades e liderar mudanças transformadoras em um mundo fragmentado.

A New World Tour?

Back in 2015 I had an Expect More World Tour. I was fortunate to be invited to talk about New Librarianship in countries like the UK, New Zealand, Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands.

Well, new book, new opportunities. I’m off to Brazil next week and things are in the works for the UK and Europe in the Spring. As always I’ll post materials from the visits, and let me know if you have an opportunity to go abroad and say hi.

Building a Great Library

“Building a Great Library,” Jesup Memorial Library, Bar Harbor, Me.

Abstract: Bad libraries focus on building collections, while good libraries provide services, including collections. Great libraries, however, are defined by their ability to build communities. These libraries serve as co-owned, community-centric spaces that focus on fostering learning, knowledge, and social connection. They are not neutral but are committed to the community’s well-being and growth. Ultimately, a great library’s narrative is shaped by the community it serves.

Video:

A Longhorn Amongst the Tulips

With the generous support of the Dutch Library Association (thank you Klaas Gravestejin), I am headed to the Netherlands for a few weeks. There I’ll be spreading the word on the importance of centering librarianship on the communities we serve.

I am so looking forward to meeting with my Netherland colleagues. The country has long been a center of innovative librarianship. From Delft to Utrecht to Amsterdam to Tilburg to the amazing National Library of the Netherlands it is honestly more pilgrimage than a trip. I even get to catch up with folks like Irene Harmsen and the cohort of Community Librarians.

I am so looking forward to seeing colleagues and making new connections.

My current public event schedule:

29th MayInnovatie Dag Prodent Fabriek Amersfoort
4th JuneVisit Dutch StoryHouse  Cultura & Zo Nootdorp
6th JuneNational Members Netherlands Library Association for PL at Beeld and Geluid Hilversum

I’ll be posting slides and updates (and probably pictures of canals) here.

A special thank you to Erik Boekesteijn of the National Library for making this happen. Honestly, hanging with him is the real highlight of the trip.

Libraries of the Future, Wildest Dreams

Erik Boekesteijn made a fantastic video on some library thinkers talking about the library of the future. It was an honor to be on the virtual stage with Nick Poole, Jane Cowell, Sandy Hirsh, Futurist Lidewij Edelkoort at the Computers in Libraries 2024 conference.