Training
Online Resources
Events
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Academic Librarianship in a Media Literacy Crisis
Explore media literacy concepts in the age of algorithms and AI. Investigate the intersections of media literacy and information literacy to incorporate both into academic library instruction. Ground the ACRL’s Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education in learners’ real-life media consumption and production habits.
Discuss and adapt activities for teaching media literacy to faculty and students to create an institutional culture of critical media consumption. Define core concepts of media literacy in order to lead faculty in designing media analysis assignments within their disciplines. Identify intersections of media literacy and information literacy in order to connect critical information skills with modern media consumption habits within library instruction. And articulate the importance of media literacy in the modern information landscape in order to foster a culture of critical media consumption at one’s institution.
AI Harms, AI Use, and the Library as Intermediary in the Adoption of New Tech Tools
As artificial intelligence tools become more embedded in everyday research, learning, and content creation, libraries are increasingly asked to help patrons navigate both their potential uses and their risks. This webinar explores common AI use cases in library settings alongside documented and emerging harms - such as bias, privacy concerns, misinformation, and unequal access. Participants will examine how libraries can act as intermediaries in the adoption of new technologies by providing context, instruction, and ethical guidance, while supporting informed and responsible use among patrons and staff.
Presenter: A public reference librarian for nearly three decades, Rachel Kubie from Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has led between 400 and 500 book discussions for small and large groups, in person, online, and asynchronously. She has organized and facilitated public programs and discussions on civic, literary, creative, and educational topics. She also initiated a civics team to develop voter education programs, as well as a Spanish language-learning program - first for staff and later for the public.
Rachel’s current community partnerships include the Charlotte Journalism Collaborative and the Homeless Services Network. She has presented on AI in libraries and has closely studied its impact, related policy considerations, and changes in library practice over the past two years. Rachel believes libraries play a vital role in helping patrons navigate both new and long-standing technologies for personal enrichment, community building, and democratic engagement.
Learning Objectives:Identify common AI use cases in library settings and describe how patrons and staff are currently engaging with these tools for research, learning, and content creation.
Recognize and evaluate key risks and harms associated with AI use - including bias, privacy concerns, misinformation, and unequal access - and explain their relevance to library services.
Develop practical strategies for supporting informed and responsible AI use through library instruction, patron guidance, and ethical frameworks that reflect the library’s role as a trusted intermediary.Transformational Leadership in the Time of Uncertainty
Join Dr. Consuella Askew for a candid and intimate conversation about the realities of leading an academic library system through a season of profound introspection and transformation. Reflecting on her tenure as Interim Vice President for University Libraries at Rutgers, Dr. Askew will pull back the curtain on a journey that began with deep listening—utilizing climate surveys and open forums to uncover the organization’s true pulse. She will share how these honest assessments revealed a dichotomy: an unwavering commitment to service excellence paired with a critical need to reimagine internal communication, structural clarity, and cultural inclusivity.
This session moves beyond theory into the practical “reset” of a major library system’s foundation. Dr. Askew will discuss the bold action plan deployed to bridge the gap between current challenges and future aspirations, from establishing a Staff Advisory Committee to redefining the organization’s mission and structure. Attendees will gain a behind-the-scenes look at how Rutgers is navigating the complex shift toward a more collaborative, transparent, and fiscally sustainable future, offering a roadmap for leaders looking to reimagine their own organizations in a post-pandemic world.
Bio
Dr. Consuella Askew is the Vice President for University Libraries and University Librarian for Rutgers University. She has broad leadership and experience as an advocate for fostering access and excellence in academic libraries. Prior to Rutgers, she was the Associate Dean for Florida International University Libraries. Dr. Askew serves on the editorial board for the award-winning journal, portal: Libraries and the Academy, and is active in professional organizations, including the Association of Research Libraries and the Big Ten Academic Alliance Libraries Initiatives. She has published and presented on topics such as library assessment and change management. She received her MLIS from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.