Winter Institute for Information Professionals – December 19-20, 2024 (1.5 Days)

Date/Time:
Thursday, December 19 (Half Day)
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM (with a 30-minute break)
Session: “Empowering Information Professionals Through Data Literacy: Skills, Applications, and Ethics”
Friday, December 20 (Full Day)
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (with a 1.5-hour lunch break)
Session: “Research Revolution: AI Empowerment for Librarians”

This 1.5-day Winter Institute targets at helping librarians and information professionals to equip them with the latest AI knowledge and data literacy that can assist them in performing their work more efficiently and effectively. You may join both days or one of the two.

Abstract for the Thursday course on Data Literacy: 

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.

Abstract for the Friday course on AI Empowerment:

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.

Instructor bio for the Thursday course on Data Literacy:

Jeonghyun (Annie) Kim is a Professor of Information Science and the Director of the Graduate Academic Certificate Program in Digital Curation and Data Management at the University of North Texas. She earned her Ph.D. in Communication, Information, and Library Studies from Rutgers University. Kim has served as Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator on multiple IMLS-funded projects on data science and data literacy. She is currently working on an IMLS-funded project titled “Building Community College Library Capacity for Supporting Students’ Data Literacy Needs” (RE-256673-OLS-24). Kim was recognized with the 2020 ASIS&T Outstanding Information Science Teacher Award and the 2023 UNT University Distinguished Teaching Professorship.

Instructor bio for the Friday course on AI Empowerment:

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). He is a multidisciplinary researcher/professor in 4 disciplines –  Health Sciences, e-Learning, Information Science and Early Childhood Education. He has been involved in over 80 research projects with a total funding exceeding 11 million USD. He has published more than 500 articles and books and ranked among the top 0.46% of scholars in Information & Library Sciences in 2021 (A study by Stanford University). Dr. Chu has received many awards including the Faculty Outstanding Researcher Award in 2013, Faculty’s Knowledge Exchange Award in 2016 and Excellent Health Promotion Project Award from Food and Health Bureau in 2017 and the “China New Development Award” (for a book on  AI literacy) from Springer Nature in 2023. He achieved an h-index of 55 over the years. Starting in 2015, Professor Chu has been an Advisor for EdTech and eHealth startups and in 2020, he founded a non-profit organisation called Academy 22 Education for All Foundation Limited.

Chung Tin Lok Rain, a 4th year undergraduate student majoring in Data Science and Business Intelligence at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong. This unique opportunity allows Rain to apply his academic knowledge in a practical setting while gaining valuable experience in curriculum development and instruction. His work focuses on bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world applications of AI, helping to prepare the next generation of data scientists and business analysts.