Copley Connects Spring Summer 2024

Digitial Initiatives Symposium By Amanda Makula , Digital Initiatives Librarian The Digital Initiatives Symposium (DIS) celebrated its 10-year anniversary with two full days of programming on April 29-30, 2024. In her opening remarks, Dean Theresa Byrd shared a slideshow with the names of all presenters over the years, from the very first Symposium in 2014 to the present, alongside images of attendees and speakers enjoying the event and learning together. The first Symposium cost only $35 and featured one of the very same speakers as this year’s event: Dr. Lorraine J. Haricombe. Since its launch, the DIS has welcomed 20 keynote speakers, 19 panels, 105 presentations, and 37 workshops. While some things have changed over the years, other traditions remain the same: the popular Wine and Cheese reception, the vital support of sponsors, and a steadfast commitment to diverse perspectives and programming.

YEARS

Contributors to the Deans’ Panel, “Evolution or Revolution? Digital Transformation, AI, and Academic Libraries” stand with Dean Byrd after Dr. Isabel Espinal’s presentation. L to R: Xuemao Wang , Dean of Libraries, Charles Deering McCormick University Librarian for Northwestern University; Courtney Young , University Librarian at Colgate University; Dean Byrd ; and Jeff Steely , Dean of Libraries at Georgia State University

Dr. Clifford Lynch , Director of the Coalition for Networked Information, and Dean Byrd

Dean Byrd and Closing Keynote speaker, Tamar Evangelestia-Dougherty, the director of the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, after her presentation, “Narratives Told, Narratives Lost: Reflecting on Authentic Spaces for Library Digital Decolonization Strategies and Programs Four Years Post George Floyd”

Alexander Soto (Tohono O’odham), Director of the Labriola National

Featured speaker, Dr. Isabel Espinal, Academic Engagement librarian at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, presented “Digital and Physical Safety & Knowledge Work Bravery — Lessons from 33 Years in the Library DEI Space”

American Indian Data Center at Arizona State University (ASU) Library, presented “Cultivating Culturally-Informed Digital Literacies through Indigenous Librarianship”

Dr. Leo Lo, Dean and Professor at the College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences at the University of New Mexico, who presented with Dr. Lorraine J. Haricombe, Vice Provost and Director of the University of Texas Libraries in Austin, Texas: “Forward Together: Libraries at the Intersection of AI and Open Scholarship”

Opening Keynote speaker, Dr. Bryan Alexander, presented “What’s Next for Higher Education?”

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