Paranoid about losing your job to a robot? Worried about Skynet? Already rolling out the welcome mat for our robot overlords? This session will explore Artificial Intelligence in general, and its potential impact on the library field.

User experience research in libraries is finally becoming an accepted method of learning about patterns of usage, behaviours, and preferences. Like any research method, there are highs and lows when engaging with it. This session serves as an overview of the things that are wonderful and exciting about UX and the problems and pitfalls that can be encountered, as we all endeavour to rediscover the normal of our library users.

Everything changes when we read. Yet many people - adults and young people alike - struggle with reading. Research shows that when we inspire people to read for pleasure they benefit from far greater opportunities in everyday life, education and employment. Reading Ahead - a programme run by the Reading Agency - is the gateway to these opportunities. 

The expectation that libraries should actively support education and skill building in data science and AI is growing as more colleges and universities offer new courses in these subjects. The University of Rhode Island (URI) Libraries are taking on this challenge and leading the efforts by setting up the AI Lab, the first of its kind in a library setting. Through close interdisciplinary collaboration, the URI AI Lab aims to break down traditional silos to bring inclusivity and future-focused innovation. 

How can we utilise new and emerging techniques to help give people a delightful and meaningful experience every time they visit the library? We’ll hear about conversational interfaces, bots, UX, touch displays, proximity tech and open data. At Columbus State Community College the library has used an AR app to showcase art exhibitions and poetry readings.

What are the impacts of digital transformation (open tech standards, user-centric design, open source etc.) on accessible reading - and what role can libraries play in this inclusive ecosystem? The Daisy Consortium works across the globe to improve accessibility and inclusivity - getting traction from big publishing corporations, tech giants and leading libraries. Hear how Library Simplified - initially developed at The New York Public Library with funding from the Federal Government's Institute for Museum and Library Services - is being supported and implemented nationwide by a non-profit library service provider Lyrasis, to deliver benefits to users of hundreds of US public libraries.

Are we doing all we can to attract, support and nurture a diverse profession? This panel session includes ideas, experiences and practical suggestions for ensuring a rich and diverse workforce and includes a case study of the creation of a diversity scholar’s programme.

Effective data collection and analysis helps librarians understand the needs of the user, develop relevant and useful services, manage costs and demonstrate effectiveness and value. Hear how a library reviewed its database usage to measure overlap and uniqueness. In a materials library, a new system to catalogue a collection of objects contributed to evidence-based decision-making and the ability to demonstrate institutional effectiveness and value. A university library used Google apps to create a goldmine of data that is actively used for service development.

Three case studies showing how libraries are encouraging reading and a feeling of community and connection. In Finland the Helmet Reading Challenge not only encourages adults to read, but drives long lasting online engagement; and an Instagram page brings together an international community with a shared love of reading. In the UK a school book club brings new students to the library, encourages a love of reading and introduces them to amazing authors and new tech.

The changes we've seen in libraries during the past 20 years have been remarkable and there's no reason to think the next 20 won't be equally so. Although no one's crystal ball is infallible (weren't we supposed to have flying cars by now?), this expert panel will take their best shot at predicting what skills, new roles, and different opportunities will be open to us in the future, both from the perspective of the practitioner and the educator. 

What happens when users are put in charge of change programmes? At Leeds Beckett University, the Beckett Books Extra acquisition service allows students to recommend individual library resources and is responsive to student needs. The University of Huddersfield experimented with hiring a student intern to help establish UX practices in the library. But did it work? Find out in this session.

In the Philippines an upcycling makerspace programme provided equal opportunities for diverse audiences to use cutting edge tech in a library setting, proving that a makerspace can help transform a community. In the UK a public library programme encourages young people to code and engage with digital tech.

Two librarians share stories of their forays into research data management. Nick Sheppard won the first ever data management engagement award. His project sets out to link research data with the Wikimedia suite of tools via editathons involving several universities. In Canada a project aims to help users discover and use Canadian research data. 

In this session we explore how we can measure and demonstrate the true impact of libraries and research. A tool was developed that allows library users to record how public libraries make a tangible difference. The next step is to roll it out over the whole of the UK. The Library at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed custom web-based visualisation tools that provide researcher productivity data.

In this round-table session, our panellists share their thoughts on the importance of making choices about our online lives, the ethical dimensions of content, and sharing these important issues with others in our communities. Case studies include a real-life story of helping scientists fight through the fake, and the creation of a portable exhibition designed to raise awareness of data and privacy issues.

Information professionals have the phenomenal ability to research any topic and provide accurate, relevant and timely answers. But our search behaviours and skills need to be continuously updated to accommodate innovations in search technology occurring on the web, inside organisations and with discovery systems that shift the focus from simple information retrieval to visualisation, prediction analysis and cognitive computing. Join long time search experts Marydee and Martin to share their next-gen search tips.

How do we entice and engage new students? The University of Roehampton has conducted UX research with two sets of stakeholders – students and academics - leading to a better understanding of the user journey, and helping promote the use of resource lists as a pedagogical tool with libraries and the tech that can support their own learning. A group of further education colleges share lessons learned when they designed and built e-learning modules to encourage users to get the most out of their libraries.

In Finland's second city, the new role of library educator inspires and enthuses people to use the library in new and traditional ways. As part of a national competence development project, libraries in Sweden worked together to develop a process to test the digital competence of library staff. The aim is to establish public libraries as a hub for digital competencies across the country.