This past year, I co-chaired the LACUNY Institute Planning Committee with Prof. Mark Aaron Polger of the College of Staten Island. It was my first time organizing the LACUNY Institute annual conference, and it was a excellent experience. The Planning Committee was top notch, and I felt that nothing could’ve happened without them.
Our theme, Librarianship in Challenging Times: Advocating for Intellectual Freedom, Democracy, and Equity, was a broad, yet timely topic. We wanted to explore how living in a polarized political climate impacts the library profession. The conference had a multitude of speakers that examined democracy, intellectual freedom, labor, free speech, censorship, misinformation, and inclusiveness.
The panel opened with a panel discussion featuring April Hathcock from New York University, Emily Drabrinski from Long Island University, and Greg Cram of the New York Public Library, moderated by Anne O’Reilly of LaGuardia Community College, CUNY.
LACUNY Institute panel starts now with @GregCram @AprilHathcock @edrabinski #lacuny18 pic.twitter.com/sKZKPxXiV8
— Junior Tidal (@JuniorTidal) May 11, 2018
The first presentation I attended was Allison Chomet’s examination of the labor digitizing books. Chomet looked at how companies such as Google digitize books with “gig economy” stable of workers.
The poster session looked at various issues, ranging from the University of Puerto Rico’s post-hurricane recovery effort to library resources for refugees.
The last presentation I went to was a session looking at librarians as outsiders. There was emphasis on self-care and identity within the library profession.
Excellent panel and discussion that made me think quite a bit on my own self care. Thanks again for a wonderful presentation at #lacuny18 ! pic.twitter.com/EF2W0gm8Li
— Junior Tidal (@JuniorTidal) May 11, 2018
Panelists: Vicki Gruzynski, Worcester State University, Carrie Salazar Middlesex Community College, Madelyn Washington Berklee College of Music, and Sofia Leung, MIT
I took a lot from this conference, but I am so glad that my colleagues were live tweeting the other presentations I wasn’t able to attend. I look forward to the next LACUNY Institute!