2020-02-14 SPLAT Curiosity Report: Volume 5, Issue 2
Featured Story
A Chart That Lives Up to the Hype
I have a favorite chart – which frankly, I don’t think is that unusual among us data geeks. I wouldn’t be surprised if at least half the people reading this also have a favorite chart. My favorite chart is the Gartner Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies. This research group compiles this lovely chart every year that looks at all of the cool new technology that is happening, and assesses where it’s at in terms of usefulness for businesses. Things start the Innovation Trigger – which is usually when only the SUPER early adopters know about it, and then move into the Peak of Inflated Expectations – or the point where everyone has realized this thing is amazing and has the potential to change everyone’s lives, and then they drop down into the Trough of Disillusionment when reality comes back into the equation. Here, it either disappears quietly into the night, or moves slowly up the plateau of productivity and enters mainstream adoption.
While I’m anxiously awaiting the 2020 version, I went back to read up on some of the things from the 2019 one, and this time, the different types of AI really stood out. There are two in particular that I think libraries should be paying attention to:
Emotion AI + Edge AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is starting to reach the point where humans can teach it really cool things. It’s out here on the internet writing poetry, generating recipes, and also being used to keep data more secure.
Emotion AI is exactly what it sounds like: AI that is attuned to human emotions, with a high degree of emotional intelligence. Imagine the impact if a pocket robot (read: cellphone) were able to patiently and helpfully respond to people in crisis, and connect them with community resources. It’s amazing to me that it’s something advertisers are already implementing, mostly to analyze data and advertise more effectively. Here’s a great explanation if you wanted to learn more about it: https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/emotion-ai-explained
The other type of AI that I think could be used in libraries is Edge AI. Edge AI is any artificial intelligence that is used at endpoints (AKA the edge) or basically, the AI that a normal person not a data analyst might interact with. It’s being used in a few different ways in shopping centers and airports now, and I think there’s a lot of potential for combining it with Emotion AI to provide detailed and caring reference assistance in libraries. Yeah yeah, robots are gonna take over all of our jobs, I watched the beginning of the Desk Set, but also, think of how much more impact we can have if AI could assist *well* with reference questions, reader’s advisory, and job applications. Imagine how much better it would be if librarians were the ones to build or influence those AIs so that they kept our community’s needs at the center.
I’d love to know what catches your eye on the hype cycle — check out the chart and geek out about the future with me.
– Alex Johnatakis, Caldwell Public Library
Fail Forward
We’ve all been there. You pour your heart into a program, and no one shows up. You try something new, and you fall on your face. Sound familiar? Fail Forward is the place to share your failures, and give you the opportunity to share what you learned from them. Did you promote your program in a different way after no one showed up? Maybe you took a new approach to the new thing you were excited about? Awesome! Share your story via our online form so others can learn, and realize that failure is often part of the process.
Run the Numbers Again
The stats report looked great. Really great. I had pulled reports for the circ numbers in each of our collections and the results were unbelievable. For example, board books were up over 300% in the last five years. Turns out, those results were literally unbelievable. It soon became apparent there was a problem with my basic methodology. When you run a report on circ numbers from five years ago, our ILS can’t include data from items that have been deleted between then and now. Since hordes of toddlers chewing on our board books contribute to fairly regular turnover in that category, the 300% increase I was so proud over turns out to be less about skyrocketing youth literacy and more about teething littles. Luckily, my stats report was saved by way of years of monthly spreadsheets prepared for the library board. When doing longitudinal reports of this type, look out for what data might not be included!
– Tyler McLane, Coeur d’Alene Public Library
Crush Corner
Is there a library you follow on social media who is always doing new and exciting things? How about a blog you follow that inspires you? What about a new idea, book, or resource that you want to share? Library Crush Corner is a place for those working in Idaho libraries to share what inspires them, and who or what they’re crushing on… in a professional sense. Share your story via our online form so we can publish it in a future issue!
Transforming School Libraries in to Library Learning Commons
Recently I have become interested in Learning Commons. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term, a learning commons is a common shared space in your school that can include shelves of books, a tech lab, classrooms, study rooms, and combinations of seating that allow for student collaboration as well as independent, quiet study. In researching learning commons I came across an article from School Library Journal that talks about the Syosset High School Library Learning Commons. Their Library Learning Commons has four sections: the main library, a pilot classroom, a TAC (Teachers Actively Collaborating) Center, and an innovation lab, which is essentially like a makerspace. What an amazing idea! I forsee school libraries moving more towards this model in the future. To read more about Syosset High School, visit https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=new-york-high-school-creates-model-library-learning-commons.
– Gretchen Perkins, Caldwell School District
Donnelly Public Library
Donnelly Public Library is crushing it on Instagram. Really loved their holidays around the world programs and how engaged the kids are at their library! They’re always doing something outside, even in winter! Goals!! https://www.instagram.com/donnellylibrary/
– April Blankenship, Kamiah Community Library
SPLAT explores the ever-evolving library world and supports library folks as they adapt to meet the needs of their communities. Library folk throughout the state of Idaho volunteer to serve on the Special Projects Library Action Team (SPLAT). Learn more about SPLAT at splat.lili.org
SPLAT is brought to you by the Idaho Commission for Libraries and was made possible, in part, by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (LS-00-19-0013-19). The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.