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This survey investigates artificial intelligence (AI) literacy among academic library employees, predominantly in the United States, with a total of 760 respondents. The findings reveal a modest self-rated understanding of AI concepts, limited hands-on experience with AI tools, and notable gaps in discussing ethical implications and collaborating on AI projects. Despite recognizing the benefits, readiness for implementation appears low among participants. Respondents emphasize the need for comprehensive training and the establishment of ethical guidelines. The study proposes a framework defining core components of AI literacy tailored for libraries. The results offer insights to guide professional development and policy formulation as libraries increasingly integrate AI into their services and operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Map librarianship, in the past incorporating duties involving acquisition, cataloging, or curation of physical map and atlas collections, has evolved into a profession often requiring knowledge of geographic information systems (GIS) software and data. This study examines descriptions for map and geospatial academic library positions from 2015 to 2020 with a goal of observing trends in requirements and specific duties for these roles. Institutions are recruiting individuals with strong backgrounds in geospatial technologies for some positions. However, a Master of Library and Information Science degree is still preferred for new hires in this field. Graduate library and information science programs can support future academic librarians by incorporating coursework related to geospatial data and traditional map resources into their curricula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over thirty years after such systems were first developed, the Integrated Library System underlies most operations of an academic library. Yet in the literature, its day-today maintenance is often reduced to a list of tasks. Through interviews with sixteen system maintainers, this study attempts to develop an experiential understanding of its maintenance. Findings suggest that most maintainers find such work meaningful but face barriers when colleagues and administrators don't understand what they do well enough to support it. This article proposes steps toward building a workplace where core maintenance tasks are recognized and supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research study investigates the behaviors, knowledge, and skills necessary for academic library outreach work. Through a review of published literature, job advertisements, and a survey of library practitioners conducted in the fall of 2020, the authors define and prioritize 18 competencies for outreach. Hiring managers, LIS instructors, and practitioners can use the results of this study to structure and lay out the essential areas of outreach work in academic libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research data services are increasingly offered by academic libraries. As a result, librarians may need to upskill to provide data services and build capacity. This study measures the current level of data services skills of academic librarians and explores preferred methods of continuing education. An online survey was circulated asking respondents to self-assess data skills in four categories. The results capture a baseline of self-assessed data skills and show statistical significance between the percentage of time a librarian provides data services and higher levels of technical skill sets. The findings support the hiring of data librarians in academic libraries offering data services and providing training for librarians who provide any level of data services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]