2025 New Jersey Academic Libraries Conference

Leveraging Flexibility for Success in Academic Libraries
Date/Time: Friday, January 10, 2025; 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Location: College Center, Middlesex College, 2600 Woodbridge Ave, Edison, NJ 08818

Getting There: Driving Directions & Parking Information

PDF Full Program Schedule | One Page Abridged Program | Venue Floor Plan

Sponsors

Schedule

  • 8:30 am – 9:45 am: Registration, Breakfast, & Poster Sessions
  • 8:30 am – 9:45 am: Exhibitor Networking
    • LibraryLinkNJ, Kanopy/Overdrive, EBSCO, Springer Nature, HeinOnline, Clarivate, D-Tech, Infobase, NJSL, NJASL
  • 10 am – 11 am: Welcome & Keynote
    • Welcome remarks by Theresa Orosz, Ed.D., Acting Vice President, Academic Affairs, Middlesex College
    • Keynote Presentation by Edward Tian
  • 11:10 am – 12 pm: Breakout Session I
  • 12 pm – 1 pm: Lunch & Organizational Updates
    • New Jersey Academic Librarians – Maria Deptula, President
    • New Jersey Library Association – Jeff Cupo, President
    • New Jersey State Library – Maria Baratta, Associate Director, New Jersey State Library Information Center
    • New Jersey Association of School Librarians – Ewa Dziedzic-Elliott, Past President
    • LibraryLinkNJ – Ralph Bingham, Executive Director
    • VALE – Marilyn Ochoa, Chair
  • 1 pm – 1:30 pm: NJAL Business Meeting
  • 1 pm – 1:30 pm: Exhibitor Networking
  • 1:45 pm – 2:35 pm: Breakout Session II
  • 2:45 pm – 3:35 pm: Breakout Session III
  • 3:45 pm – 4:30 pm: Post Conference Networking/Coffee & Tea Social

Details

Your registration includes:

  • Keynote & Breakout Sessions
  • Breakfast & Lunch
  • Post Conference Coffee & Tea Social

Keynote Presenter: Edward Tian

Edward Tian is the CEO and co-founder of GPTZero, the first platform for detecting AI-generated text. He graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Computer Science and worked in journalism at Bellingcat and the BBC. He conducted AI research for Princeton’s NLP Lab for Microsoft Speech & AI before building GPTZero in his final year at university.

Preserving What’s Human: Insights from the Frontlines of Generative AI Detection

How has the growth of ChatGPT and foundational AI models affected our information transparency and source integrity? Edward Tian, founder of the first and leading AI detection platform, GPTZero, explains how AI is reshaping the human writing record, from scientific articles to Wikipedia, news articles to travel guides, and student assignments to commercial biographies. Learn more about the technological advancements required to keep detecting AI and how educators and libraries can help preserve what’s human.

Poster Sessions (8:30 am – 9:45 am)

P01. Looking Back, Looking Ahead: Lessons Learned from the Pandemic

Steven Shapiro, Montclair State University; Moddie Breland, Mercy University Libraries; Karen Venturella, UCNJ Libraries

The sudden closure of library buildings and physical spaces due to the COVID-19 pandemic spurred academic librarians to devise new ways to support students, most of whom continued their studies remotely. The poster highlights how three individual academic libraries responded to this health emergency and the lessons learned during this unprecedented time that can be applied to future exigencies. The three academic libraries are a medium size community college, a medium private college, and a large state university. The poster also illuminates some strategies and temporary measures instituted in response to the health crisis.

P02. Game Plan for Success: Building Information Literacy Skills in Student-Athletes

Lori Lenox, Camden County College

Camden County College Library implemented an engaging information literacy workshop series for student-athletes, focusing on critical skills for academic success. This series covered learning styles/study skills, time management, test anxiety, research skills, and proper citation techniques. By collaborating with the tutoring and athletic departments, we provided tailored support that enhances the student-athletes’ educational experiences. Each workshop included interactive activities and practical strategies to help the student-athlete balance their rigorous schedules while excelling academically.

P03. Flexibility in Access Services: Introducing Pickup Lockers to Enhance Library User Experience

Ann Marie Latini, Rutgers, The State University of NJ; Andy Martinez, Rutgers Libraries – Douglass Library; Orla Mejia, Rutgers Libraries; Richard Jutkiewicz, Rutgers Libraries – Smith Library; Todd Pickens, Rutgers Libraries – Dana Library

This poster outlines the introduction of pickup lockers at Rutgers University Libraries as a means to enhance user convenience and flexibility. By allowing users to securely collect library materials at their convenience, we aim to address the evolving needs of our community. The poster highlights the benefits of implementing this innovative solution, including increased accessibility, reduced wait times, and improved user satisfaction. We will share insights from the pilot program and best practices for integrating pickup lockers into existing library services, demonstrating how this initiative can transform the library experience and support modern academic demands.

P04. Benefits of Tangible Instructional Resources

Kennedy Jones, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Libraries often focus on staying relevant by utilizing and providing instruction about the latest cutting edge technologies. However, in a learning environment saturated with tech, today’s students can often feel overwhelmed. Well designed physical materials can remain a powerful way to connect to these students, and offer benefits that are still hard to replicate with hi-tech solutions. This poster shows some of the Zines and physical materials that are being used at NJIT libraries to aid in student instruction and outreach and discuss some of the benefits of using a physical format to connect with students.

P05. Business Law I Interactive – An Open Textbook for NJ Students

Megan Dempsey, Raritan Valley Community College

This poster presents a new open textbook authored by a faculty member and librarian at a NJ institution. The interactive OER engages students with H5P activities, student-created video content, and NJ-specific cases and examples. It is easily adopted/adapted by other NJ institutions that offer a Business Law I course.

P06. Empowering Minds: Academic Libraries Leading the Charge in Student Mental Health

Neil Grimes, William Paterson University; Linda Salvesen, William Paterson University, David and Lorraine Cheng Library

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, academic libraries are playing a critical role in addressing student mental health and community wellness. Leveraging flexibility for success, libraries are adapting to new challenges by integrating mental wellness into their services and facilities. Our poster highlights strategies including creating wellness spaces, offering mental health resources, training staff in mental health first aid, and collaborating with campus health services. By embracing innovation and responsiveness, libraries are fostering supportive environments that promote student retention and success, meeting diverse emotional, social, and academic needs while navigating change and emerging technologies across all service areas.

P07. Call For Nominations: 2025 NJAL Technology Innovation Award

Janelle Varin, Raritan Valley Community College

The NJAL Technology Innovation Award honors a librarian or group of librarians for innovative use and application of technology in a New Jersey academic library, including creative use of existing technologies. The award may be given either in recognition of a specific project, or for ongoing delivery of innovative technology applications. Particular consideration will be given to those that have had a transformative impact on their institution and can be used by other academic institutions. Details about selection criteria as well as past award are included on the poster.

P08. NJAL Bibliographic Control and Metadata Committee (BCMC)

Lisa Weissbard, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Sungmin Park, Rutgers University Libraries

The poster describes the NJAL Bibliographic Control and Metadata Committee and its activities.

P09. NJAL Electronic Resources Committee

Christina Getaz, Caldwell University; Bill Vincenti, Montclair State University

The Electronic Resources Committee poster summarizes the committee’s recent work. This includes discussions about usage statistics best practices, license agreements negotiations (including AI-related clauses), the evolving landscape of open access agreement models, and much more. This poster provides an opportunity for other academic librarians to learn about the committee’s work and to open up these conversations to our colleagues across the state! Interested librarians – especially those who work in electronic resources, acquisitions, and collection development – are invited to join the monthly meetings.

P10. Accolades for Academics

Adriana Mamay, Middlesex College

Recognize your peers and honor them with the awards they deserve! This poster highlights four New Jersey Library Association awards that academic librarians are exclusively eligible for and describes how college and university librarians can nominate themselves and their colleagues. The winners of the Distinguished Service Award, Research Award, Technical Services Award, and Technology Innovation Award will be honored at the NJLA Conference in Atlantic City, which attracts 700 librarians annually. New Jersey’s academic librarians are extremely accomplished. Let’s ensure that our accolades are recognized and appreciated by the wider NJ library community.

P11. The NJAL Assessment Committee: More than Just Information Literacy

Christina Connor, Ramapo College; Eric Jeitner, Stockton University

Assessment is often associated with information literacy. However, libraries can provide a wealth of data in various areas to help support and promote services, as well as advocate internally and externally for our role in the academic community/experience. The NJAL Assessment Committee strives to bring together librarians – from survey novices to veteran data collectors – to explore assessment from various perspectives. Utilizing a variety of methods to approach discussions, from workshopping to critical readings to guest speakers who specialize in member-selected topics, we welcome all interested.

P12. NJAL Reference & User Education Committee

Joe Louderback, DeVry University; Kaitlyn Clohosey, Felician University

The Reference & User Education Committee is dedicated to the outstanding provision of library user instruction and reference services. This poster provides a summary of the committee’s activities. A brief overview of recent discussion topics and initiatives, including the Summer Workshop, are outlined. We also share Information on how to get involved in this active committee.

P13. Flexibility in Information Literacy instruction: Updating the NJ Information Literacy Progression Standards

Joe Louderback, DeVry University; Ewa Dziedzic-Elliott, The College of New Jersey; Christina Getaz, Caldwell University; Christine Jansen, Fairleigh Dickinson University; Justin Savage, Montclair State University

The NJ Academic Librarians Section’s Information Literacy Progression Standards Task Force will share progress on updating information literacy standards to reflect the ACRL Framework, address new developments in the information landscape, and bring them into alignment with the K-12 standards that are being developed by NJ school librarians. This poster presents achievements and next steps, and seeks valuable feedback as we attempt to create a flexible, bi-directional resource for information literacy librarians throughout the state. Be part of the conversation shaping the future of information literacy in New Jersey schools from elementary through higher-ed. This poster provides an update to the poster/presentation at the 2024 NJLA Conference.

P14. New Jersey Academic Librarians (NJAL) Poster

Joyce DeStasio, Stockton University; Maria Deptula, Rutgers University

Visit our poster and discover the New Jersey Academic Librarians (NJLA-ALS/ACRL-NJ). Join one of our Committees or Special Interest Groups, learn more about our events and accomplishments, and/or follow us on social media.


Breakout Sessions

Breakout Session I – 11:10 am – 12:00 pm

B01. Transforming Research: The Role of Librarians in Faculty Open Access Publishing

Mina Ghajar, Rutgers; Maria Deptula, Rutgers

According to Nelson’s memo, by the end of 2025, all researchers must make their federally funded research publicly accessible. To support faculty in meeting this requirement, Rutgers Health Sciences Librarians are conducting a study to assess faculty perceptions and experiences with Open Access publishing and their awareness of Rutgers Libraries’ transformative agreements. The study’s findings will enhance faculty success and ensure compliance with the memo while guiding improvements in library services. This presentation will cover the study’s background, outline the engagement methodology, and describe our plans for analyzing the results.

B02. Four Years Later: Measuring the Success of the Open Textbook Collaborative

Robert Hilliker, Rowan University; Marilyn Ochoa, Middlesex College; Steve Chudnick, Middlesex College

As of December 31, 2024 the federally-funded New Jersey Open Textbook Collaborative project has come to an end, but its impact continues in the form of over two dozen OERs that have already saved New Jersey students hundreds of thousands of dollars. Come learn more about those OERs as we review the successes of the OTC project, including a dive into some of our preliminary outcomes data.

B03. Training Student Workers for Success in Academic Libraries: Leveraging & Supporting our Flexible Workforce

Bethany B. Sewell, The College of New Jersey; Madel Tisi, Ramapo College

Student workers are an integral part of our public service operations. Training them for success in their job performance is vital for the success of both the library operations and the students’ future careers. Librarians at two NJ academic libraries who manage student workers will discuss all aspects of their training, coaching, and mentoring at their respective institutions. Strategies for onboarding, training, setting job expectations, targeted assessment, motivating, and retention will be addressed. In addition, innovative ways they use technologies to adapt, and respond to changing and diverse student worker needs will be demonstrated.

B04. Are they Research Ready? High School to College Transition

Ewa Dziedzic-Elliott, The College of New Jersey; Brenda Boyer, Rutgers

Recent research explores the preparedness of college first year students and reveals equity issues as well as what school librarians are doing right, and where there might be room to improve information literacy instruction. Findings provide solid evidence that students with prior high school research experiences feel better prepared for academic research. Study participants identified how research projects and finding and using information differed between high school and college, and they shared the confidence they felt for performing specific information literacy tasks. Most importantly, these first year students identified what they perceived to be their biggest skill gaps when faced with college expectations.

B05. Exploring AI Tools for Academic Libraries: A Panel Discussion with LibraryLinkNJ AI Ambassadors

Jon Braun, LibraryLinkNJ; Andy Woodworth, Camden County College; Annie Chatterjee, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Joseph Pascale, Middlesex College

In this session, moderated by Jon Braun from LibraryLinkNJ, the LLNJ AI Ambassadors will explore the practical use of AI tools in academic libraries. Each panelist will introduce a specific AI tool—NotebookLM, ChatGPT, and Microsoft Copilot—along with brief pre-recorded demonstrations. The discussion will focus on how these tools can enhance library services, streamline workflows, and improve engagement with patrons and students.

B06. Critical Appraisal of Evidence Synthesis Literature for Graduate Students

Jacob Bilek, Montclair State University

In this session, the presenter will discuss how he developed and fine-tuned a series of systematic review workshops tailored to graduate students. After attending a presentation on creating similar workshops, the presenter adapted the content to fit his institution’s unique needs. These workshops, presented via Zoom, introduced students to evidence synthesis, highlighted different types, and demonstrated how to appraise systematic reviews critically. The presenter will share his process, including the collaborative approach, assessment strategies, and how these workshops support student success through tailored, user-centric services and partnerships with academic departments.

LT01. Lightning Talks

a. The Role of Libraries in Fostering Student Success: A Hub for Academic and Holistic Development

Maya Gervits, New Jersey Institute of Technology

More institutions are prioritizing student success as a core mission. But what exactly defines it? By providing access to information, offering academic support, collaborative spaces, and advanced technology, libraries contribute to both academic achievement and holistic student growth. Research shows that fostering a sense of belonging can enhance academic outcomes, boost enrollment, and support mental health. This talk will highlight initiatives offering actionable ideas for implementing programs and services that address academic needs, support students’ professional and personal development and cultivate a dynamic social environment. Additionally, it will cover methods for demonstrating the impact of these programs on student success.

b. Building an Internal Newsletter: Bringing the Team Together

Kennedy Jones, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Luci Parrish, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Zoë Mooneyhan, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Effective communication is vital to collaboration, flexibility, and mutual understanding among colleagues in academic libraries. This presentation outlines the development of an internal newsletter aimed at improving staff communication by providing an engaging platform to celebrate achievements, provide reminders, and give progress updates on work. The NJIT Library Internal Newsletter has increased general buy-in and connected colleagues through all staff levels, across departments, and between the two branch locations. Attendees of this session will learn practical strategies for implementing an effective communication tool that promotes understanding and recognition and strengthens internal ties in the academic workplace.

c. Win-Win: Offering Remote Archives Internships to Online Students

Deb Schiff, The College of New Jersey

Archives students obtaining their degrees online need new ways to learn and apply those skills remotely. I developed an online internship program that teaches students how to transcribe handwritten materials and create descriptive metadata for these materials. To accomplish this goal, I repurposed an instructional document our Cataloging/Metadata Librarian and I created for a digitization project (focused on creating authority records and subject terms, as well as descriptive summaries). It proved to be easily transferable and has helped students in internships and field study opportunities to better understand the concepts they are learning in their remote classes.

Breakout Session II – 1:45 pm – 2:35 pm

B08. Starting Somewhere: How to Assess and Implement Meaningful Linguistic Change in your Library Catalog

AR Renales, Raritan Valley Community College; Janelle Varin, Raritan Valley Community College

This session will present an initiative to locally edit subject headings in our catalog. We undertook this project because disrespectful language erodes trust in the library. To address this, we systematically reviewed problematic subject headings assembled by other information professionals. We then developed a workflow to locate alternative person-first terms in resources created by impacted communities. Subsequently, we invited campus constituents to contribute problematic terms and replacements. Our goal in sharing this information is to encourage others to take similar steps by removing barriers in collaboration with their communities. This presentation will be most relevant for libraries with WMS.

B09. The Missing Piece: Solving the Puzzle of Missing Information Literacy Skills for Incoming Students

Darby Malvey, LibraryLinkNJ; Ewa Dziecic-Elliott, The College of New Jersey; Sharon Rawlins, The New Jersey State Library

Puzzled by the information literacy skills – or lack thereof – of your incoming students? Join us as we explore what is causing these knowledge gaps, how we can meet students where they are, and what the upcoming Information Literacy K-12 Student Learning Standards might mean for you and your students. We’ll clarify the Standards process, explore available resources, and share our suggestions for preparing yourself and your institution for success with incoming students.

B10. Building Bridges: Supporting Users’ Needs by Connecting Community Colleges and Public Libraries

Saudia Reid, Hudson County Community College; Madelynn Freire, North Bergen Public Library

This session will explore the ways that community colleges and public libraries can collaborate to meet the diverse needs of their users, with examples provided by Hudson County Community College and North Bergen Public Library. Public libraries can provide resources in areas where community colleges may have limited capacity, especially for underserved populations. Participants will identify ways to create an action plan of what they want to gain and provide from partnering with their local library. Ultimately, this collaboration aims to bridge resource gaps and advance equity in library services, which leverages flexibility for success in academic and public libraries.

B11. Leveraging AI to enhance research in health sciences

Maria Deptula, Rutgers; Yingting Zhang, Rutgers

AI has transformed the research landscape and will continue to shape the future of medical research. Numerous free and paid tools are available to assist with research, with new options emerging daily. However, the use of AI also raises various ethical and legal concerns. In this session, you will learn how to integrate AI tools into health sciences research, use AI in your research and publishing appropriately, ethically, responsibly, and effectively, and identify potential red flags to watch for.

B12. Launching a Library Micro-Credential

Gary Marks, William Paterson University

Our Academic Library launched its own Micro-Credential program in the fall of 2023. The LEARN (Library Engagement and Research Needs) Badge is a student-focused digital badge offered through the university’s larger LEADS (Learn Engage Advocate Develop Serve) Badge program. This session will discuss the design and launch of the LEARN Badge and provide an overview of badge development including badge curriculum, program implementation, and statistics from the first year. The session will provide attendees with an outline of how a student-centered micro-credential can be developed as part of a larger campus-wide micro-credential program or as a stand-alone library initiative.

B13. Trials and tribulations: One library’s ambitious plan to make historic court records freely accessible to all

Caitlyn Cook, New Jersey State Library

Court documents are more than the record of a trial, they are primary sources for understanding the State’s relationship with its citizens through rights granted or denied. By studying historic collections, we can see how legal interpretation and social attitudes change over time regarding the rights of women, the enslaved, workers, the incarcerated, and the rights of powerful institutions to affect the masses. Yet despite this incredible research value, historic high court documents have remained hidden. Join us as we discuss our library’s ambitious plan to digitize over 2 million pages of content and make them freely accessible to all.

B14. Adapting to our Communities’ Needs through Marketing and Outreach

Joan Dalrymple, Bergen Community College, Kimberly Lynch, Caldwell University; Christina Getaz, Caldwell University; Joyce DeStasio, Stockton University; Richard Jutkiewicz, Rutgers University

In this panel presentation, colleagues from different academic libraries will share marketing and outreach strategies they have used to reach their communities. Meeting our users where they are requires flexibility and dynamic marketing strategies. Our colleagues will provide examples of social media campaigns, communications, and innovative ways to reach their diverse populations.

Round Tables

RT01. A Discussion of Artificial Intelligence: Igniting Cross Campus Collaboration?

Moderators: Jacob Bilek, Montclair State University; Catherine Baird, Montclair State University

This roundtable will generate discussion on artificial intelligence and the impact it has had on our campuses, as it both disrupts and facilitates our work and cross-campus collaboration. Librarians have traditionally occupied an in-between space in the university, a flexible bridge between researchers, teaching faculty, and students. As such, we are uniquely positioned to understand and address AI from these multiple perspectives, acting as connectors between the traditional university pillars of teaching, research, and learning. To support the libraries’ role in planning AI initiatives, communication between librarians across institutions is integral to creating informed and equitable approaches.

  1. Has the response to the introduction of AI into academia spurred collaboration between otherwise siloed units, or has it further deepened gaps between departments?
  2. To what extent have students been engaged in the conversation around AI on your campuses compared to other interested parties (e.g. faculty, admin, etc.)? How should we engage students in conversations about AI?
  3. What AI models have you seen in use on your campus, and are there particular models that you believe we, as librarians, will have more impact in supporting or managing as opposed to other units (e.g., IT, University Compliance, etc.)?”

RT02. Libraries as the Last Community Hubs—Upholding Inclusion and Equity for All

Sable Lomax, The Leadership Standard

In an age of increasing digitalization, libraries remain one of the last physical community hubs, offering a space where people of all backgrounds can access knowledge, resources, and connections. This session will explore how libraries can maintain and expand their role as centers of inclusion and equity, focusing on both staff and patrons. Attendees will participate in discussions and activities designed to spark ideas on how libraries can strengthen their commitment to equity, diversity, and community cohesion.

  1. How can libraries evolve to continue serving as inclusive community spaces in a rapidly digitalizing world?
  2. How can library staff be better equipped and supported to create an inclusive environment for patrons from diverse backgrounds?
  3. In what ways can libraries address digital divides and provide equitable access to technology and digital resources?
  4. How might libraries balance digital offerings with the need to maintain physical spaces that encourage face-to-face community interaction?

RT03. Creating an OER Community of Practice for New Jersey

Robert Hilliker, Rowan University; Matt Bridgeman, Rutgers

VALE and NJLA are working together to create a unified community of practice to share all the great work that is being done in the Open Educational Resource space across the state of New Jersey. In this roundtable we will discuss: – What is the state of OER in New Jersey today? – What do librarians most need from an OER Community of Practice? and – What are some good, aspirational goals to set for the Community of Practice?

RT04. Future of NJAL: Where We are Going from Here?

Megan Dempsey, Raritan Valley Community College

Join fellow NJAL members to discuss the future of our organization. We’ve changed our name – what’s next? Recommendations from last year’s membership survey will be shared as we explore next steps in advancing the future of academic librarianship in NJ and increasing engagement with our professional statewide organization.

  1. What strategic priorities should be the focus of NJAL for the next few years?
  2. What additional value could NJAL provide to our members to increase engagement?
  3. Based on membership suggestions, what should we start, stop and continue doing as an organization?

Breakout Session III – 2:45 pm – 3:35 pm

B15. Messy Metadata Management for Streaming Media

Stephanie Sussmeier, Stockton University; Natalie Wadley, Stockton University

Streaming media has vastly improved access to audio and video for faculty and students. However, the metadata, or lack of metadata, from the streaming platforms continues to complicate discovery. This breakout session will highlight Richard E. Bjork Library’s attempts to wrangle and manage metadata and why each streaming vendor still needs separate workflows and metadata editing. Presenters will invite audience members to share how their institutions handle the messy metadata for streaming services.

B16. Navigating the Maze: Leveraging Library Licensing Workflows and Contract Essentials

William Vincenti, Montclair; Jeff Carroll, Rutgers; Richard Kearny, William Paterson; Robert Hilliker, Rowan University; Maria Deptula, Rutgers

Trends in academic libraries require librarians to align licensing workflows with university practices. This panel presentation will feature discussions on key topics, including:

  • Who negotiates library license agreements?
  • What individuals and departments are involved, and how licenses move through the various stakeholders.
  • Who has the authority to accept agreements that don’t align with institutional guidelines?
  • Who holds signatory authority for library license agreements?
  • How are decisions about subscriptions to resources made?

Attendees will gain insights into the complexities of the licensing process within academic institutions.

B17. Changes to Information Literacy Instruction After COVID closures: Faculty & Librarian Perspectives

Cara Berg, William Paterson; Catherine Baird, Montclair; Tony Joachim, William Paterson University; Drew Wallace, Montclair State University

Noticing changes in library instruction after the COVID closures, librarians at WPU and MSU set out to explore faculty attitudes and practices on both information literacy instruction and student research skills. This research study consisted of two exploratory surveys: one for teaching faculty at both institutions who requested library instruction since 2019 and the other for librarians at the NJ public colleges/universities, enabling the researchers to see both groups’ perspectives. This presentation will show preliminary findings from both surveys including how faculty approach library instruction and research assignments; how they perceive students’ needs and research skills, and the librarian perspective.

B18. Teaching with Primary Sources: Flexible and Fun Ways to Share Special Collections and Archives

Heather Perez, Stockton University; Erin Alghandoor, Kean University; George Germek, Monmouth University

Teaching students to use special collections and archives is an art. Keeping them engaged while helping them to navigate the intricacies of working with documents can keep the librarian or archivist on their toes. In this session, members of the Archives and Special Collections group will share their favorite lesson plans, as well as ideas of how to adapt lessons to work with students of all ages across institutions.

B19. OpenNJ/Open Publishing Workshop

Steve Chudnick, Middlesex College; Joshua M. Gaul, Edge; Mark V. Sullivan, SobekDigital

Join Josh Gaul of Edge and Mark Sullivan of Sobek Digital for a working session as the OTC’s Educational Technologist and Programmer demo how to use our Open Publishing Tool in OpenNJ so you can learn to submit, create, edit, and adapt OER. Attendees will come away with a firm grasp of both end user capabilities and some back-end processes needed to utilize the tool and the collection.

B20. Where’s the librarian? Humanizing asynchronous online learning at NJIT Library

Jill Lagerstrom, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Zoe Mooneyhan, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Bob Vietrogoski, New Jersey Institute of Technology

NJIT librarians share their experiences developing a six module / six week online lesson plan for 80+ sections of English 102. Rather than via a single instruction session, students now receive short weekly information literacy lessons which follow the research cycle of a college paper. Transitioning from in-person to asynchronous instruction poses challenges: staying in touch with students, leveraging instructional technologies, reporting instructional statistics, and more. This presentation will discuss the positives and negatives of how NJIT librarians transitioned to online librarian instruction for this core course following principles of humanizing online learning. Also featured will be the use of Mookie, the library’s unofficial mascot.

B21. AI in Action: Transforming the Way Librarians Work and Engage

Jia Mi, The College of New Jersey; Yongming Wang, The College of New Jersey

AI is reshaping the way librarians work, offering new opportunities and solutions as libraries face staff reductions. In this presentation, we will explore the practical applications of AI in academic libraries, from data-driven decision-making and collection development analysis to improving reference and instruction services. By examining case studies and real-world examples, we will demonstrate how AI is transforming libraries into more efficient, responsive, and innovative environments, empowering librarians to focus on higher-level tasks and better serve faculty, students, and researchers.

LT02. Lightning Talks

a. Building a Literature Mapping Lesson in the Age of AI

Justin Savage, Montclair State University

ResearchRabbit is a collaborative artificial intelligence tool that students and researchers use to develop and visualize literature maps for a particular topic. As a free tool, ResearchRabbit presents an opportunity for librarian-teachers to develop innovative lessons centered around citation mapping with consideration for the impacts that emergent AI technology has had on the literature review process. In the age of AI, flexible and adaptable library pedagogy is essential. In this lightning talk, the presenter will describe how this tool works, how it can be used in the classroom, and provide an example of a lesson that could be used across disciplines.

b. AI Hub in the Libraries

Jane Jiang, UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ

This presentation discusses the creation of the AI Hub in the library and how AI tools can enhance research, learning, and professional development. It addresses challenges such as space management and the integration of AI activities with existing library operations. The session will provide insights into practical implementations and recommend specific AI tools that can be utilized to improve library services and foster innovation.