Special Interest Groups (SIG) Activity Highlights 2023
We are proud to inform you about the most important activities of the organization's four Special Interest Groups (SIG). IATUL invites librarians at member institutions to participate in the SIGs.
Information Literacy
SIG IL organised a webinar on 31 May 2023: Critical Perspectives on Generative Artificial Intelligence. The Role of the Information Literacy Librarian. Panelists included: Kristine Stewart, Zayed University, UAE; Andrew Cox, Sheffield University, UK; and Allison Papini, Bryant University, USA.
The SIG organized a webinar on 13 September 2023: Critical Perspectives on Data Literacy: The Role of the Information Literacy Librarian. Panelists included: Dr Sharon Wagg, Lecturer in Library and Information Management, University of Sheffield, UK; and Mr David Thomas, Manager: Academic Services, Durban University of Technology, South Africa. The Liberating information literacy (LIL) Project continues. A submission form has been developed and a suitable OER platform is under consideration. Funding is being sought for a podcast to host and disseminate interviews. Vicky Grant has been awarded an AHRC-RLUK Fellowship, to lead a student liberation project entitled the Creative Library. This work will feed into the IATUL LIL project. Amanda Bellenger Associate University Librarian (Engagement & Experience) University of Western Australia has joined the group.
Metrics and Research Impact
The SIG MaRI Chair Trish Wilson stepped down earlier this year. We are immensely grateful to Trish for her work over the years and the achievements made during her time as Chair – particularly the development of the 12 Research Impact Things.
Fiona Glasgow (Scholarly Communications Librarian, American University of Sharjah) and Cate Bardwell (Deputy University Librarian, University of Otago) are now co-chairs for SIG MaRI. The group has two new members: Tatiana Usova - Director of the Library, Carnegie Mellon University – Qatar and Lisa Chisholm, Manager - Research Services Unit, University of Otago, NZ. The IATUL 12 Research Impact Things are developing Thing 13 on Researcher Profiles. A content review is planned for the other 12 Things to ensure they remain relevant.
Research Data Management
SIG Data held a successful email-based initiative to share updates on our activities related to SIG Data, which led to meaningful sharing of information about upcoming activities and trends in the field. SIG Data will be meeting later this month.
SIG Data welcomes new members, particularly those who have research data management responsibilities. Please consider responding to the Board’s Call for Participation in this newsletter.
Space
Kelly Miller is co-chairing SIG Space with Gry Bettina Moxnes for this coming year. In terms of activities: Kelly Miller is attending IFLA WLIC and exploring possible connections for the SIG Designing Libraries conference to be held in Arizona, 8-10 October 2023.
Graduate Student Spaces offered in R1 University Libraries – review and brief bibliography now available. Projects in the works include: Collaboration with Journal of Learning Spaces (ed. Michael Crumpton); and Library Architects Interview Project (in planning stages). Lamia Eid has been accepted as a new member. Lamia is the Interim Dean, Libraries & Learning Technologies, American University in Cairo. Simone Kibler is returning to the group.