The Future of Libraries: Humanity, Technology, and the Stories We Preserve

​The Future of Libraries
25 April, 3pmET
ONLINE EVENT

Inspired by author Veronica G. Henry’s recent speculative fiction release, The People’s Library, Black and Indigenous folks, and People of Color (BIPOC) information professionals will discuss the roles of libraries and archives as cultural anchors and tools of liberation, and their thoughts on how artificial intelligence products are impacting their work. As BIPOC people have historically faced the brunt of unregulated industrial and technological revolutions, they are well-positioned to lead a conversation on the state of information sharing, the impact of AI on their communities, and imagining new possibilities.

Attendees can expect to learn about the vast responsibilities of the panelists, how to take advantage of their local institutions, and what they should keep in mind if they choose to use generative AI.

​This event is sponsored by We Here, an organization formed to provide a safe and supportive community for BIPOC in library and information science professions and educational programs, and to recognize, discuss, and intervene in systemic social issues that have plagued these professions both currently and historically.

There is no charge for the event, but donations to support We Here are gladly accepted.

REGISTER: https://luma.com/ud0psx3b

The Future of Libraries
25 April, 3pmET
ONLINE EVENT

​ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

​Moderator:

​Veronica G. Henry is the author of The People’s Library, Bacchanal, and the Scorched Earth duology and Mambo Reina Mysteries. A Viable Paradise alum, her award-shortlisted work has appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction and FIYAH Literary Magazine. Follow her at @thewordslinger (Instagram) and @veronicaghenry (Bluesky).

​Panelists:

​Gabby Womack (she/ella) is a librarian at Tufts University’ Tisch Library, as well as an historian, and book influencer who is passionate about sharing the stories of minoritized folks. Through her work in each field, she seeks to encourage critical thinking, foster belonging and preserving histories. Follow @Bookish_AfroLatina on social media. bookishafrolatina.com

​Laurainne Ojo-Ohikuare is the Processing and University Archivist for the Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where she oversees the arrangement and description of all photographic and manuscript collections. She is the co-creator and co-facilitator of UMBC’s AI, Ethics and Privacy Symposium which is a virtual AI series that investigates various topics surrounding AI and higher education and invites vigorous interrogation of this technology from a diverse roster of presenters.

​Azad Namazie is an artist and digital archivist from Los Angeles, CA. They lead the digital archives program at UCLA Library Special Collections (LSC), where they oversee the day-to-day operations of the Digital Preservation Lab and supports the diverse technological needs of the born-digital content in LSC’s collections.  @azadnamazie.io | azadnamazie.github.io

​Keshia Koech is a Boston Public School librarian and writer with an MFA in Writing for Young People from Lesley University. Based in Boston, she works daily with teens navigating questions of digital agency. She is currently working on her first novel. Instagram: @keshiakoech_

​Edwin Lindo is a Critical Race Theory scholar & Professor; and co-founder of Estelita’s Library, a radical social justice library, bookstore, and community space in South Seattle dedicated to liberation, ethnic studies, and the power of collective knowledge. Home to one of the largest known collections and archives of original Black Panther Party newspapers (being digitized now), Estelita’s Library serves as both a living archive and an organizing hub, offering free access to over 3,000 books alongside programming that includes community book talks, poetry slams, open mic nights, and intergenerational gatherings rooted in the belief that libraries are not neutral — they are instruments of justice. @estelitas_library | @edwin__lindo

Filed under: Professional Development