NCLA Con 2025

As we move past the hype (and perhaps the fears) regarding generative AI, we believe that implications and best practices for using AI in information literacy and literature searching are becoming clearer. This presentation provides overviews and case studies of how three academic librarians are navigating AI in research and library instruction via their research projects, classes, and liaison work. This talk should be useful for any library worker involved in information literacy, research consultations, and scholarly communication. The speakers will leave time to engage the audience, inviting them to offer their own lessons learned and best practices, as well as ask questions and even provide pushback. Our topics will include an overview of Scite.AI, Litmaps, and other scholarly literature products; use of general LLMs like ChatGPT in research and the classroom; an overview of vendor AIs including ProQuest, Scopus, and Statista; and a comparison of an AI-integrated research process to a more traditional research process. We will share our lessons learned, best practices, recommendations, and concerns for any librarian using these tools with their patrons and students. Ophelia has been conducting an IRB-approved research study of undergraduate and graduate students' experience of using AI for scholarly literature searching. Morgan is working with graduate students in a client consulting project to utilize AI in information discovery, analysis, and strategy. Steve has his entrepreneurship research students explore using AI for data discovery, and is now an administrator and trainer of a Scite.AI subscription for his business school. All three of us also have our students engage with the ethical aspects of generative AI. Questions we have been exploring include: What is the impact on students' research abilities in finding, analyzing, and synthesizing information? Do AI tools complement or replace library databases? How do the tools facilitate literature reviews, including evidence synthesis? How do students perceive the value and reliability of AI tools? How are students responding to librarian-led instruction on AI tools, and how does the instruction shape their approach to research and information evaluation? Are scholarly AI tools worth the money? Can they replace Google Scholar? Or Scopus and Web of Science?

Book challenges are not a new phenomenon, but today's intellectual freedom landscape presents unprecedented challenges for library workers and educators. To explore these complexities, we developed a semester-long First Year Seminar at Wake Forest University titled Who's Afraid of the Big Banned Books? Through this course, we engaged with Gen Z students in dynamic discussions about censorship, intellectual freedom, and the broader societal impact of book bans. Using I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Winston Salem's most famous poet, Maya Angelou, as a case study, our class analyzed historical examples of book challenges and bans, including the social and political context of these book challenges. We compared this analysis of historic book challenges to current examples selected from challenges being tracked by NCLA's Intellectual Freedom Committee to look for trends in censorship efforts in the United States over time and elements that are unique to the intellectual freedom landscape today. While we were familiar with these issues, our Gen Z students' perspectives deepened our understanding in unexpected ways. In this session, we'll share key insights from our experience and discuss how they can inform library messaging, advocacy strategies, mission statements, and outreach efforts for all library types.

Librarians are creating more asynchronous online content, services, and workshop sessions than ever before in higher education, and many of these products are made using Springshare products. The ability to tell the story of how libraries meet the needs of patrons (including online and distance) through their Springshare solutions is essential as we continue to navigate through this dynamic and transformative era of librarianship. This presentation will provide an introduction to Springshare, LibGuides, and LibWizard; analytics on the backend and then offer other methods of non-native quantitative assessment of LibGuides and LibWizard tutorials. We will cover three assessment projects: looking at web statistics on how patrons are entering LibGuides, an accessibility audit of LibGuides, and assessing interactive tutorials in LibWizard. This presentation will provide a blueprint for asynchronous assessment strategies for all librarians that can be adapted based on each team's institution and needs. Though this presentation is focused on Springshare products, the elements of quantitative assessment presented can be applied to other websites and online learning materials. This presentation will be interactive and include time at the end for questions and answers.

Libraries are constantly evolving to meet the needs of their communities, and book clubs and readers' advisory services are no exception. Today's readers expect more than just book recommendations - they crave deeper engagement, diverse perspectives, and access to content that enhances their reading experience. Gale Literature Resource Center, often viewed as an academic research tool, is an underutilized resource for public libraries that offers a wealth of materials to support and enrich programming. With primary source sets, author interviews, scholarly articles, and even podcasts, this database provides valuable historical and contemporary insights that can spark meaningful discussions in book clubs and enhance readers' advisory services. This session will explore how libraries can integrate these resources to create richer, more dynamic book club discussions and connect patrons with literary works in new ways. Presenters will showcase practical strategies, such as using primary source sets to provide historical context or incorporating author interviews and podcasts to connect readers with contemporary voices. Attendees will receive discussion prompts, hands-on demonstrations, and concrete ideas for making their library's programs more engaging and impactful. Beyond the tools themselves, this session will also highlight the value of collaboration between vendors and library consortia in meeting the changing needs of member libraries. By working together, we can ensure that libraries have access to high-quality, curated content that not only supports traditional book-related services but also expands their role as community hubs for learning and conversation. Whether you're looking to reinvigorate an existing book club or enhance your library's approach to readers' advisory, this session will provide actionable insights and materials to help you navigate the future of programming in both in-person and virtual environments.

The NCLA Leadership Institute is a fantastic opportunity for librarians who currently serve (or hope to someday serve) in leadership roles. Participants build skills in leadership and mentoring, cultivate an improved understanding of themselves and others, and are inspired to serve in leadership roles within the library profession at local, state, and national levels. This session will feature several past Leadership Institute participants, who will share their experiences briefly before opening the floor to questions. This is a chance for those who are considering applying to the Institute to learn more!

The Source Evaluation Taste Test is an interactive, innovative program that can be adapted for patrons of all ages and backgrounds. This session explores how library programs can incorporate playful, hands-on methods to promote information literacy, while also fostering meaningful connections between patrons and library staff. Through creative use of food-themed metaphors and engaging activities, the program encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboratio-supporting both academic and personal growth. The learning outcomes for this program are to: Improve critical thinking and information literacy skills. Increase confidence in identifying credible and relevant information. Create an interactive, engaging learning environment. Support independent, lifelong learning through the use of library resources. The presentation will be structured as follows: A walkthrough of the Source Evaluation Taste Test program, including examples and materials used. A discussion of how the program aligns with both public and academic library environments. A breakdown of how this program intersects with core areas of library work, including instruction, outreach, programming, and the use of simple technologies. Ideas for adapting the program into a series that meets the needs of different user groups, including teens, first-year college students, and adult learners. The goal of this proposal is to demonstrate how a flexible, engaging program like this can be adapted and reimagined across various library settings. As an early-career librarian, I've used this workshop as a way to meet students where they are, and it's been well-received. I believe it offers other librarians a creative and approachable way to reconnect patrons with the library-especially in times of transition, when staffing changes or gaps in instruction may have left users feeling disconnected. This session ties directly to the conference theme, Books and Beyond: Navigating New Frontiers, by helping patrons think more critically about the information they consume-where it comes from, how to evaluate it, and how to confidently move through an increasingly complex information landscape. As libraries continue to evolve and face new challenges, including the spread of mis- and disinformation, changing technology, and shifting community needs-programs like this offer a way forward. They help library workers support digital and information literacy in ways that are both accessible and meaningful. Additionally, this program can be used to highlight and center diverse voices and collections, making it a valuable tool for advancing equity, inclusion, and representation. For libraries looking to reengage underrepresented groups or promote DEI-related resources in a fun, low-barrier format, this program offers a flexible starting point. The Source Evaluation Taste Test blends creativity, instruction, and community-building while equipping library staff with tools to reach users wherever they are on their information journey.

In the fast-paced and often demanding environment of library work, staff members face numerous challenges that can impact their professional well-being and success. This session will explore the vital role of mentorship in supporting library staff, with a particular focus on the unique challenges faced by BIPOC employees. While mentorship in libraries is neither a new concept nor a hidden one, it remains underutilized in many library settings. By fostering a culture of mentorship, libraries can create spaces that promote professional growth, emotional support, and retention for all staff members. Join Ciera and Candace as they share their insights from research, and firsthand experience, in both academic and public library environments. They will highlight the positive impact of mentorship programs, discuss strategies for implementing and expanding these programs, and provide practical recommendations for library leaders and staff. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of the importance of mentorship and how it can be used to strengthen and empower library teams, particularly for BIPOC library workers.

Join library staff who have Hoopla Digital collections in an open forum to share experiences and resources for sharing this digital collection with the public. If you don't have Hoopla Digital and would like to learn more, you're welcome as well!

No matter your position, you can cultivate leadership skills by embracing the transformative power of self-awareness and leading with authenticity and purpose. As the NCLA Leadership Institute emphasizes, "Lead from where you are." At the heart of effective leadership is a deep understanding of oneself. In this session, Jenneffer (academic librarian and former public librarian) and Jenny (Assistant Director at a public library and former school library media coordinator) will share their complementary yet distinct leadership journeys. As mentees, mentors, and planning committee members of the NCLA Leadership Institute, they will provide insights into how self-awareness shapes authentic leadership and fosters resilience. Through reflective discussions and interactive exercises, participants will explore how their core values and strengths influence their decision-making, workplace relationships, and leadership effectiveness. Attendees will engage in practical activities designed to deepen self-awareness, assess their leadership styles, and identify actionable steps to enhance their leadership practice. Topics will include the role of self-care in leadership, the importance of setting healthy boundaries, and the power of storytelling in leading with impact. Participants will leave equipped with tools to turn reflection into meaningful action, confidently navigating their leadership journey.This session is ideal for library professionals at any career stage who are eager to strengthen their leadership abilities, foster collaborative environments, and contribute to a culture of growth and innovation. Join Jenny and Jenneffer to discover how intentional self-awareness can empower you and your library to navigate new frontiers of leadership.

Library staff encounter people with trauma histories every day. We don't usually know their stories, but we can approach our patrons and our colleagues with a person-centered, trauma-informed lens. In 2024-2025, Amanda Goldson (librarian at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library) and Rachel Green (licensed clinical social worker at Jewish Family Services) developed and presented 6 training sessions on the PCTI lens to CML staff members. At the same time, Amanda put together a grant-funded, PCTI healing arts series for the public with local artists teaching a variety of media. In this presentation, Amanda and Rachel will talk about the basics of PCTI and what was learned by adapting PCTI to library services and programs.

As staff members of a statewide library consortium, we see tremendous variations between our member libraries marketing needs. Some library systems have entire marketing and outreach departments; others rely on the precious little free time of their creative staff members. However, one commonality is that many librarians express confusion and frustration about marketing e-resources. Because of these disparities and the lack of existing literature on this topic, we launched a national survey to discover the primary barriers libraries face in promoting e-resources specifically.In this presentation, we will present the findings of our survey and share some of the ways that a diverse sample of libraries approach e-resource marketing. We will also share the primary barriers that libraries reported along with insights into the challenges they face in marketing e-resources. Additionally, we will discuss strategies for fostering collaboration among member libraries to share best practices and resources. By leveraging the strengths of larger institutions and supporting smaller libraries, we aim to create a more equitable framework for e-resource marketing. This session will equip participants with practical recommendations for their own libraries and an understanding of how library consortia can help address these challenges and make marketing e-resources more effective for all types of libraries.

Damarius and Sauda will be in conversation sharing stories from the NAACP Image Award-nominated book, “Picturing Black History: Photographs and Stories That Changed the World”, for which he is a contributor and editor. Damarius will be available following the presentation to sign copies of his book. Bookmarks of Winston-Salem will have copies on hand to sell.