Core Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Libraries Interest Group

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Purpose: Provides a forum for researching potential applications of Machine and Deep Learning in library science, including discussions, publications, and outreach to the wider Library community. Its goal is to educate librarians on uses of the complex techniques of machine learning and to provide a space for critically thinking both about new applications, and about the ethical and social impact of these technologies , as the field rapidly expands in the coming decade.

This group is part of Core's Technology Section.

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So, what's everyone's interest in AI?

  • 1.  So, what's everyone's interest in AI?

    Posted Feb 10, 2021 01:14 PM
    Hi, everyone! I would love to meet my fellow AI-in-libraries nerds, so how about we introduce ourselves and our interests in AI?

    I'm Andromeda Yelton, a librarian/software developer in greater Boston (and former LITA president), as well as adjunct faculty at SJSU -- where I teach a class on machine learning :). I'm really interested in using machine learning to write love letters to library data -- what kinds of storytelling, exploration, research, and delight can we open up with these tools? How do we do this in an intellectually rigorous and socially responsible way?

    I'm particularly psyched about my development of HAMLET (How About Machine Learning Enhancing Theses), a neural net I trained on ~43,000 graduate theses in order to find out what kinds of discovery interfaces I could build for a collection that doesn't have traditional subject headers. I had some fun visualizing that recently. I've also recently learned about neural style transfer, enabling me to use DPLA images to make Christmas cards from the void. Lately I've been exploring means for improving face recognition in archival photographs.

    How about y'all?

    ------------------------------
    Andromeda Yelton
    Humanistic Machine Learning for Library Data
    Lecturer, San José State University iSchool
    https://andromedayelton.com
    @ThatAndromeda
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: So, what's everyone's interest in AI?

    Posted Feb 11, 2021 07:42 AM

    I'm a cataloger, so I am particularly interested in how AI will impact my field. It seems that machine cataloging will be possible in the future. So, will I be out of a job, or will I be guiding the AI?

     

    R. Dylan Fairfield

    National Emergency Training Center




    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: So, what's everyone's interest in AI?

    Posted Feb 11, 2021 12:36 PM

    I am interested expanding information literacy to include AI awareness/understanding.

     

     

    ========================

    Matthew Treskon (MLS, MS)

    Technology Librarian

     

    Loyola/Notre Dame Library

    200 Winston Avenue

    Baltimore MD 21212

     

    (410) 617-6819

    mtreskon@loyola.edu

    mtreskon@ndm.edu

    Pronouns: he/him/his

    ========================

     




    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: So, what's everyone's interest in AI?

    Posted Feb 11, 2021 08:26 PM
    Hi,
    I’m an MLIS student and interested in AI. I’m interested in knowing how AI is going to affect librarians and libraries. I’m looking forward to hearing about projects libraries are working on, training I may take or articles I may read.
    Looking forward to hearing from everyone else!
    Maria Naranjo

    Sent from my iPhone


    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: So, what's everyone's interest in AI?

    Posted Feb 18, 2021 12:30 PM
    Hi everyone,
    I am Silvia Wu and I am a MLIS student at San Jose State University.  After a shy break from the workforce to address family priorities I decided to dive in into school again and really looking forward to learn more, and very eager to rejoin the workforce when I graduate in 2022.  I have some coding/database background and really interest on information retrieval processes/AI/Metadata and et al of technology. 
    The new Natural Language and machine learning concept has sparked interest for me .  AI seems like a great pathway for me and its applications in the Information Profession.   Looking forward to learn more in this topic and collaborate with this community.
    Silvia Wu

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    Silvia Wu
    MLIS Graduate Student
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: So, what's everyone's interest in AI?

    Posted Feb 19, 2021 05:49 AM

    Help folks,
    As a library media specialist in a vocational technical high school my professional interest in AI is to see what has already been implemented by other library systems and  be able to provide opportunities for our CIS student to code and create similar applications to improve information access within our high school student needs.

    On another note I am seeking professionals who understand the deep issues we face as a society regarding information access and how we are able to improve the quality of our search results and the way this information is utilized for good. 

    As media professionals we wear many hats and aim to  provide access to information that will nourish people's thirst for knowledge.  What lessons can we takeaway from The Social Dilemma documentary regarding AI use and implement in our complex information systems?

    Ariel Dagan
    Library Media Specialist
    Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School
    Franklin, MA
    dagan@tri-county.us (work)
    www..Tri-county.us - (work)
    www.arieldagan.com (personal)
     



    ------------------------------
    Ariel Dagan
    Library Media Specialist
    Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: So, what's everyone's interest in AI?

    Posted Feb 22, 2021 01:42 PM
    Hi,

    I am Louis Brooks and when not playing video games or reading scifi I function as the Director of Digital Infrastructure at the Florida State University Libraries. Like a lot of libraries we collect a lot of data, no pun intended (sorta), and I am interested in what AI and ML can tell me about this data. I am also interested from a learning standpoint so we can better support our patrons who studying these fields. I for one welcome our new AI overlords.

    Thanks,

    --louis

    ------------------------------
    Louis Brooks
    Director of Digital Infrastructure
    University Libraries, Florida State University
    He/Him/His
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: So, what's everyone's interest in AI?

    Posted Feb 23, 2021 01:51 PM
    Hi everyone! I was recently an information literacy librarian at a 2-year community college - always trying to incorporate gaming and discussions about internet content into my classes. I've taken a new job with a public library and am now the coordinator for  the automatic materials handlers  (AMH) in our system. While the AMH is more coding than intelligence, it has introduced me to a world of automation, RFID technology,  inventory and logistics. It is fascinating; something challenging every day.


    ------------------------------------------
    Carole Williams

    AMH and Self-Service Coordinator
    Charleston County Public Library
    williamscar@ccpl.org 



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    Carole Williams
    AMH, Self Check Coordinator
    Charleston County Public Library
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: So, what's everyone's interest in AI?

    Posted Mar 01, 2021 11:54 AM
    Hi there,

    As a systems librarian at Westfield State University with a background in the Digital Humanities, I see artificial intelligence as a means to more easily solve complex data/information challenges. To our wonderful list of ideas, I would like to add: teaching AI to library users so that they may glean new knowledge, get more stuff done,  or simply understand how they work. In my heart of hearts, I believe learning to read/write code will eventually become part of digital literacy. Considering how society relies on  algorithms to run things,  we could benefit from understanding how they work.

    Best,

    Ian

    P.S. Also a huge scifi and gaming fan.


    ------------------------------
    Ian Matzen
    Systems and Digital Initiatives Librarian
    Westfield State University
    He/Him/His
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: So, what's everyone's interest in AI?

    Posted May 24, 2023 05:01 PM

    Hi Andromeda (and all),

    I just learned about this interest group and am excited to have found it!  I've dabbled in lots of things over my career as a library consultant including Internet filtering, RFID  and AMH (Hi Carole!) and now find myself selling stories via our Dial-a-Story service (LibraryCall) and offering workshops on Public Libraries and AI (PLAID). The PLAID is for "discovery").

    I (We) are very interested in a couple things when it comes to AI and libraries (our focus is public libraries) and that includes:

    1) Making sure public services staff know how to answer questions and help people navigate AI-powered content and websites and apps.
    2) Making sure that technical library staff are getting up to speed on the technology so they don't get left behind.  Some of the things said in this thread are on our radar such as using AI for cataloging, using AI for readers advisory, using AI for discovery.  
    3) Urging library professions to get out front on the topics that are near and dear to our profession such as copyright and misinformation - both figuring prominently in AI discussions.

    So far, we are playing around with the new tools that are coming out and creating our own library-focused AI training platform.  The PLAID platform provides access to Chat tools (OpenAI) and image tools (DALL-E, with Stable Diffusion on the way) and includes a library of public library-themed example prompts.  We're working on integrating a document vectorstore which will allow for semantic search and retrieval, document summarization, Q&A, and more. The idea is to provide a single tool for training library staff on generative AI tools, and provide a foundation before they move on to more sophisticated production tools.  It's here https://plaidapp.galecia.com/.

    We've also got a mailing list going here: https://lists.galecia.com/

    And are writing about AI on our blog here:  https://galecia.com/tags/ai

    And now I'm participating in whatever is going on here.  Let's make something happen!



    ------------------------------
    Lori Ayre
    Principal Consultant
    Galecia Group - LibraryCall
    She/Her/Hers
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: So, what's everyone's interest in AI?

    Posted May 25, 2023 10:46 AM
    Carole Williams reacted to your message:



    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: So, what's everyone's interest in AI?

    Posted May 25, 2023 03:00 PM

    Welcome Lori-thanks for sharing about all your activities!  It seems very forward-thinking to anticipate how public libraries can be proactive in addressing AI, particularly with generative AI tools changing the landscape.

    This Interest Group hasn't been very active, but that could change with a few committed volunteers for the next year. There will be a need for a new chair or co-chairs for this interest group after June.



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    Mary Aycock
    Database and Metadata Coordinator
    Texas State University
    She/Her/Hers
    ------------------------------

    Original Message