With AI and misinformation at the top of our minds this year, we are all being called upon to reset our assumptions on search techniques and approaches. From Google's frequent algorithm changes that affect our search results to new sources of both open source and fee-based information, as well as new expectations from clients and patrons, information professionals need to re-examine all their search practices. Info pros have a unique skill set that gives us the ability to own the search space. But equally important is the ability to challenge our assumptions about search and hone our search skills.

This practical, full-day workshop provides the latest tips, tricks, and techniques for unlocking the “black box” of search. Our search experts reveal what you need to know today to perform better and more effective searches, analyze search results to surface value, teach others good search practices, and remain on top of search innovations.

There's always something new to be learned from these leading-edge info pros. Whether you're a novice or expert searcher, you come away with a new understanding of innovations in search, new resources to share with colleagues, and more search tools for your professional toolkit. Our experts cover these topics:

What's New in Web Search: Learn about new developments in search engines, including searchbots, that affect how, why, and where to search to get the best results.

Savvy Search Strategies: Strategize your research to accommodate new technologies and techniques for increasing sense-making.

Resourcefully Yours: So many resources, so little time! We introduce a number of new, different, and changed resources to turbocharge your research.

SWOT for Search Professionals: Take a fresh look at where search professionals can make the biggest impact to most effectively leverage your expertise.

This half-day workshop guides participants through the strategies related to retaining or replacing their core resource management systems and discovery services. Migrating to a new system represents a massive undertaking for a library as well as a substantial financial investment. The workshop discusses current issues and trends related to products and vendors, aligning the library's technology systems with its strategic priorities, setting reasonable expectations for the benefits of a new system. and the efforts involved in migration. It is guided by the scenarios and topics raised by workshop participants and focuses on what you need to know now.

While AI holds tremendous potential for libraries, it also comes with significant concerns and the potential for harm. We find ourselves sailing uncertain waters; there are few guardrails governing AI's use. Even as we acknowledge this truth, we must also note that library staff are already experimenting with the use of AI chatbots (most commonly ChatGPT), generative AI design tools (like Midjourney), and other variations of AI technology. In short, we have great potential, pitfalls, and a total lack of clarity. It is only through the thoughtful development of policy, procedure, and professionals that we can hope to articulate a vision for the ethical use of AI in our libraries. Join this conversation about new disruptive technology, take a deep breath, and get to work laying a foundation of policy guidelines and staff development to navigate the uncertain road ahead.

Do you have space issues in your library? Or challenges due to the recent pandemic? This workshop focuses on designing spaces for changing technologies and flexibility. How do we step up our digital transformation in uncertain times and keep our members safe? How do we incorporate new gadgets, apps, and technologies to engage our communities in new and exciting ways? Get some insights and ideas from our experienced librarian for planning successful future library experiences for your users.

In this workshop, you learn the basics to start your analytics journey. Using a free analytics platform, we’ll have hands on exercises exploring the fundamentals of analytics in information organizations and how to properly prepare and clean data for analysis. Once we’re familiar with the basics, we delve into the world of visualization to demonstrate findings and discoveries to make more effective cases for our advocacy efforts. Finally, we dabble in some machine learning techniques as a means for obtaining deeper understanding into patterns and trends that lie within the data we collect. Participants will need to provide their own laptop and engage in a bit of prework to prepare their machine for the workshop.

Technology has changed the face of libraries and is continuing to change how we work and how we deliver services to customers. In fact, the past few years have pushed us, or, in some cases, made us scramble, to discover and experiment with new technologies and tools, to train our staff and community, and to look for new ways of doing our core activities. This workshop introduces emerging technology trends and shows how those trends are reshaping library services. Examples show how to incorporate these evolving trends into libraries. Attendees ID what trends to look for, find out the difference between a technology trend and a fad, learn how to adapt what others are doing within their communities, and get ideas on how their library can respond to technology as it emerges.

This interactive and hands-on workshop allows you to play and experiment with new tools which will spark ideas for the future of your library and community activities. It focuses on OpenAI’s API and how to get started building personalities in AI. It explores various tools to create AI images, videos, and more. Filled with tips, it will definitely be fun!

Protecting privacy and security while leveraging technology to accomplish positive change is becoming a serious challenge for individuals, communities, and businesses. This workshop, led by expert leaders and practitioners, covers personal and organizational privacy as well as top security issues for libraries and their communities, especially the implications of AI. If you don’t have a security plan in place, are unsure of where to even start to make sure your library is secure, or have an existing plan in place but want to cross your T’s and dot your I’s, come to this interactive workshop.

New technology and services are fundamental to libraries today, but which technologies and/or services make sense to implement and which make sense to avoid? Based on our presenter's recent book and building from a framework drawn in the overlap of design thinking with best practices of emerging technology and library practice, this workshop introduces simple but powerful tools that can help the practitioner navigate the rapidly changing tech landscape. Using real-word examples of success and failure from across academic, public, and special library types, participants learn methods they can employ to more successfully and sustainably select and implement technology, innovating practices and services while ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.

Hospital libraries have been supplying their communities with services for many years, but things are definitely changing with AI, the speed of research and change, and more. Public libraries have been working on community strategies to keep their members healthy and forming partnerships to do so. Academic libraries need to consider not only the wellness of their staff but that of their campuses too. Join this interactive discussion workshop for ideas and inspiration to move your library and information service to the next level with respect to health and wellness.

The unprecedented uptake of ChatGPT has overshadowed the inclusion of AI in tools being employed by libraries and researchers each day. AI will soon impact every aspect of library work as well as the lifecycles of research and publication. This workshop addresses how AI tools can be adopted, from collection development and readers’ advisories, to online tutorials and social media posts. Incorporating AI into the work of libraries includes ways to encourage (and caution) others on how they might use AI in teaching and scholarly output. Participants are encouraged to bring their own devices: smartphones, pads, and laptops. Teams will assess an array of AI tools, comparing and contrasting several for each purpose/library activity, and identify “the best” in each category.