Winter-Institute, Workshops, & Tutorial sessions
Content
Winter Institute
- Part 1: Empowering Information Professionals Through Data Literacy: Skills, Applications, and Ethics – half-day (3.5 hours)
- Part 2: Research Revolution: AI Empowerment for Librarians – half-day (3.5 hours)
- Part 3: AI -supported Virtual Reality Maker Activity for Information Professionals – half-day (3.5 hours)
Workshops
- 2nd Workshop on Innovation Measurement for Scientific Communication in the Era of Big Data (IMSC) – half-day (3.5 hours)
- Workshop on Generative AI for Resource Discovery in Libraries – half-day (3.5 hours)
- Workshop on Utilizing AI/ML to Enhance Information Extraction, Organization, and Retrieval from Large-scale Archival Collections – half-day (3.5 hours)
Tutorial Sessions
- Tutorial on Leveraging Columnar Formats for Analyzing Large Web Archive Collections – half-day (3.5 hours)
- Tutorial on Building Digital Library Collections with Greenstone 3 – half-day (3.5 hours)
- Tutorial on Academic Table and Figure Understanding for Digital Library – half-day (3.5 hours)
Winter Institute
1. Empowering Information Professionals Through Data Literacy: Skills, Applications, and Ethics

Abstract:
As data becomes the new language of communication, data literacy is essential for information professionals to effectively interpret, use, and communicate insights from data, ensuring it supports informed decision-making and enhances their services. This tutorial aims to equip information professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to handle data confidently and understand its application in their programs and services. We will define data literacy and explore its relevance to information professionals working in various settings, including academic and public libraries. Additionally, we will provide hands-on training for locating relevant data sources, processing and analyzing data effectively, managing data efficiently throughout its lifecycle, and adhering to ethical guidelines in data use. This comprehensive training ensures that participants gain practical experience and develop the skills needed to handle data responsibly and effectively.
Format: Hybrid
Date: December 19, Thursday, 2:00 pm – 5:30 pm
2. Research Revolution: AI Empowerment for Librarians
Organizer:
Professor Chu, Kai Wah Samuel obtained 2 PhDs in Education – one focusing on e-Learning from University College London in the UK and another one focusing on Library and Information Science from The University of Hong Kong (HKU).
Chung Tin Lok Rain, a 4th year undergraduate student majoring in Data Science and Business Intelligence at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong.
Abstract:
This course aims to equip information professionals (especially academic librarians) with essential knowledge and skills for integrating artificial intelligence into their services. This one-day hands-on workshop will cover the fundamentals of AI-assisted research, focusing on generative AI tools and prompt engineering techniques. The agenda includes interactive sessions on becoming familiar with using generative AI for information retrieval, crafting prompts for interdisciplinary research, and designing AI-enhanced research consultations tailored for librarians. Through real-life scenarios, attendees will learn to break down complex research queries, analyze AI-generated outputs, and develop effective strategies for supporting patrons’ research needs. The workshop will also explore emerging AI trends, foster a culture of innovation in libraries, and provide actionable plans for ongoing professional development. By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with a robust understanding of AI’s potential in library science, practical skills in prompt engineering, and strategies for implementing AI solutions to enhance library services.
Format: Hybrid
Date: December 20th, Friday, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
3. AI-supported Virtual Reality Maker Activity for Information Professionals

Abstract:
Virtual reality (VR) content can provide immersive experience for viewers and VR content creation, as a maker activity, can help develop makers’ information and digital literacy skills. To tap into the benefits of both, this short course provides an in-depth educational experience on a novel low tech-barrier approach that empowers novice users to create VR content through an AI-supported platform. This approach lowers the technical barrier of VR content creation and has been adopted in university and K-12 contexts. It thus has the potential to be applied in libraries and other memory institutions, so that information professionals can not only create VR content based on their collections, but also teach their patrons in outreach programs to create web-accessible VR content, enriching user service and enhancing user-institution connections. Through a hands-on tutorial on the creation process and showcasing existing projects, this course aims to provide librarians and information professorionals with an AI-empowered approach for making VR content both by themselves and by their patrons.
Format: Hybrid
Date: December 20th, Friday, 2:00 – 5:30 pm
Workshops
1. 2nd Workshop on Innovation Measurement for Scientific Communication in the Era of Big Data (IMSC)

Abstract:
The increasingly mature artificial intelligence technologies, such as big data, deep learning, and natural language processing, provide technical support for research on automatic text understanding and bring development opportunities for innovative measurement of scientific communication. Innovation measurement in scientific communication is a challenging and cutting-edge direction in Informetrics. It is interdisciplinary, requiring considering the characteristics of different disciplines and different types of scientific outcomes to establish a comprehensive evaluation metrics system. On the other hand, metadata and content features should be considered to reflect the innovation of scientific works objectively and comprehensively. This workshop focuses on the discussion and produces enlightening outcomes. We will engage broad audiences to share their ideas and pre-productions, enabling an interdisciplinary approach to exploring frontier areas. This workshop consists of keynotes, oral presentations, and poster sessions and would attract interest from academic researchers, librarians, and decision-makers from governments and practical sectors.
Workshop website: https://imsc-committee.github.io/JCDL2024-IMSCworkshop/
Submission link: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=imscworkshopjcdl2024
Format: Hybrid
Date: Dec 20th, 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
2. Workshop on Generative AI for Resource Discovery in Libraries

Abstract:
This workshop delves into the transformative role of Generative AI technologies in digital libraries, emphasizing advancements in resource discovery and user engagement. Participants will explore how cutting-edge large language models such as GPT-4 and Llama are leveraged to deliver highly personalized resource recommendations and improve the efficiency and precision of information retrieval processes. Through showcases of capstone projects developed as part of the AI Incubator Program, hands-on sessions, and collaborative discussions, attendees will gain practical insights into deploying AI-driven solutions that streamline library operations and elevate user experience.
Workshop website: https://yinlinchen.com/JCDL2024Workshop/
Format: Hybrid
Preferred Date: Dec 20, 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
3. The 1st Workshop on Utilizing AI/ML to Enhance Information Extraction, Organization, and Retrieval from Large-scale Archival Collections

Abstract:
This workshop addresses the challenges faced by archivists, historians, and researchers in managing and utilizing large-scale digital archives. As the digitization of historical records has expanded access to vast collections, the complexity and volume of data have created significant obstacles in ensuring these resources are effectively accessible and usable. This workshop focuses on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to revolutionize the processing, analysis, and retrieval of large-scale archival collections. By integrating computational methods with archival practices, the workshop aims to explore novel frameworks, tools, and best practices that can advance the field of Computational Archival Science (CAS). The workshop will feature a combination of keynote presentations, oral sessions, and poster presentations to facilitate the exchange of ideas and collaboration among experts from various disciplines, including information science, computer science, and digital humanities. Participants of this workshop will gain insights into the latest advancements in AI/ML technologies for digital archives and contribute to shaping the future of archival science.
Workshop website: https://tinyurl.com/JCDL2024-AI4LAC-workshop
Submission link: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=ai4lacworkshopjcdl20
Format: Hybrid
Date: Dec 20th, 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Tutorial Sessions
1. Tutorial on Leveraging Columnar Formats for Analyzing Large Web Archive Collections
Organizer:
Mark E. Phillips, Ph.D. is the Associate Dean for Digital Libraries at the University of North Texas Libraries in Denton, Texas.
Sawood Alam, Ph.D. is the Research Lead of the Wayback Machine at the Internet Archive (IA).
Kristy Phillips is a Doctoral Candidate in Information Science with a focus in Computational Linguistics at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas.
Abstract:
This half-day in-person tutorial will introduce participants to columnar formats and how they can be used in the analysis and exploration of large web archive collections. Specifically, it will work with the Parquet file format to demonstrate the features and opportunities that the file format offers. The subject area used to demonstrate these features will be analyzing and exploring large web archives like the End of Term (EOT) Datasets. The tutorial will include both lecture components and live-coding examples of how these file formats can be used to solve challenges presented by large web archives.
Tutorial website: TBA
Format: Hybrid
Preferred Date: Dec 16, 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
2. Tutorial on Building Digital Library Collections with Greenstone 3
Organizer:
David Bainbridge, University of Waikato, New Zealand
Abstract:
This half-day tutorial is designed for those who want an introduction to building a digital library using an open-source software program. The tutorial will focus on the Greenstone digital library software. Participants will work with the Greenstone Librarian Interface, a graphical user interface designed for developing and managing digital library collections. Attendees do not require programming expertise; however, they should be familiar with HTML and the Web, and be aware of representation standards such as Unicode, Dublin Core and XML. The Greenstone software has a pedigree of more than two decades, with over 1 million downloads from Source Forge. This tutorial centers on Greenstone~3, which is built on top of web standards such as XML Transforms to aid flexibility and extensibility. Emphasis in the tutorial is placed on recent capabilities introduced into Greenstone~3, such as the cloud-based version of the Greenstone Librarian Interface, and integration of the Google cloud-based Vision API into Greenstone3’s ingest process for enhanced handling of images.
Tutorial website: TBA
Format: Hybrid
Preferred date: Dec 16, 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
3. Tutorial on Academic Table and Figure Understanding for Digital Library

Abstract:
Tables and figures are essential for conveying complex information visually and systematically in academic documents. Effective interpretation and extraction of information from academic tables and figures enhance the functionality of digital libraries, enabling more efficient data access and knowledge discovery. This half-day tutorial offers a comprehensive overview of the academic table and figure understanding process, covering detection, structural analysis, semantic interpretation, and practical applications. By discussing related benchmark datasets, recent techniques, and their pros and cons, this tutorial provides valuable insights for the JCDL community, supporting advancements in digital library research and development.
Tutorial website: TBA
Format: Hybrid
Preferred Date: Dec 16, 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm