CNI News

The closing plenary session from CNI’s recent membership meeting is now available online. In Forgetting and Being Forgotten: Growing Up in a Digital Era, Kate Eichhorn (The New School) discusses the tradeoffs of increased access to media technologies for children and youth, and the implications for social identity development. Video of the talk is on the meeting website, and on CNI’s video channels:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/PBQPHKNDYVM
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/380181935

This is to my knowledge a rather unique workshop that should be of interest to many in the CNI community, and I wanted to share the call for papers.

With best wishes for the holidays and the new year.

Clifford Lynch
Director, CNI

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Recounting Algorithms: A Workshop on Critical Algorithm Studies in the Library
University of Toronto Mississauga Library
May 7-8, 2020
https://www.recounting.net/

Call for Proposals
How can libraries and archives best contribute to emerging critical discourses around algorithms, machine learning, and artificial intelligence? Recounting Algorithms is a two-day workshop, supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources and hosted by the University of Toronto Mississauga Library, that aims to enrich the intersections of critical algorithm studies and academic librarianship.

Efforts to historicize, culturally situate, and foreground algorithmic systems as manifestations of bias and power have flourished recently. Work in this area has contributed important insights into the often oppressive operational conditions of systems used to automate tasks such as hiring, criminal risk assessment, supply chain management, web page ranking, and surveillance. The robustness of this growing field of inquiry is demonstrated in the varied institutional backgrounds of those who have contributed to it—they include journalists, artists, advocates, and academic researchers from across the disciplinary spectrum.

Librarians and archivists are beginning to incorporate aspects of this critical discourse through projects that advance algorithmic literacy and initiatives, like Information Maintainers, that emphasize the intersection of information technology, data governance, and social justice. Relatedly, initiatives such as Emulation as a Service and Collections as Data suggest new services and infrastructures that might facilitate analysis of algorithmic systems.

We invite proposals for pedagogical resources, creative projects, and library services that explore how libraries can support and build on investigations of algorithmic systems (including, machine learning and AI) and their enabling social conditions. While proposals should be oriented toward the library as a context for sustaining and supporting instruction and critical inquiry, we encourage submissions from non-librarians, particularly from educators, researchers, graduate students, artists, journalists and advocates. Potential themes include but are not limited to:

• Projects to collect, preserve, and curate materials relevant to the study of algorithmic systems.
• Resources for addressing emerging aspects of information and digital literacy related to machine learning and artificial intelligence.
• Projects that reframe core values and practices (such as access and literacy) in light of work from critical algorithm studies.

Invited workshop participants will present their proposals (in draft or prototype form) and engage in workshop activities to refine and develop them using constructive input from the group. Workshopped projects will be shared as an online resource following the workshop.

Submissions
Submissions should include a project abstract (500-word max) and bio (50 word max) for each presenter. If submitting with co-authors, please limit the group to no more than three presenters. Please submit all materials via email recountingalgs@gmail.com by January 17, 2020. Successful applicants will be notified of acceptance by February 7, 2020. Email recountingalgs@gmail.com with additional questions.

Coordinators
Seth Erickson (Penn State University Libraries)
Chris Young (University of Toronto Mississauga Library)
Andrew Meade McGee (Carnegie Mellon University Libraries)
Justin Shanks (Montana State University Library)
Wendy Hoi Yan Wong (Chinese University of Hong Kong Library)

The opening plenary session from CNI’s recent membership meeting is now available online. It includes a farewell to Joan Lippincott, CNI’s longtime associate executive director, and “A Fragmented Landscape, Collaborations Refreshed, and CNI’s 2019-20 Program” by CNI Executive Director Clifford Lynch, which looks at key developments that the Coalition for Networked Information has been tracking over the past year, and highlights some issues of particular interest to the CNI community. You’ll find it on both of CNI’s video channels:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/TrXCCyxy4hU
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/380127156

The 2019-2020 CNI Program Plan is now available at

https://www.cni.org/program/current-program-plan

I am looking forward to discussing key initiatives described here with our members at the CNI Fall Member meeting Monday afternoon, December 9.

We’ll be sending printed copies of the plan to CNI member representatives in early 2020.

Clifford Lynch
Director, CNI

Dear CNI Community,

Colleagues,

In advance of next week’s membership meeting, I wanted to let you know that we are beginning the search for a new communications coordinator, and that I will be available during the meeting to discuss this opportunity with anyone who may be interested. We appreciate your help in identifying potential candidates for this position; please feel free to forward the information below, and/or to refer questions directly to me.

Thanks for your help!
-Diane Goldenberg-Hart, CNI

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Coalition for Networked Information

Communications Coordinator (part time)

The Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), a library/IT non-profit association in Washington, DC, seeks a creative, organized and skilled communicator, with at least two years of previous work experience, to manage its communications and outreach programs and initiatives. This is a great role for someone who is self-motivated, loves to learn, is interested in higher education, libraries and technology, and who seeks an opportunity for growth and increased responsibility over time.

What you will do:

• Support CNI’s outreach initiatives by drafting posts, press releases, and reports on activities and interests related to the organization
• Serve as project manager for website and related activities
• Edit writings by leadership for style, substance, grammar, and spelling
• Keep abreast of new technologies that may benefit communications and outreach programs
• Manage production of organizational materials, including print, digital, and multimedia
• Assist with the planning and execution of events and activities such as membership meetings, conferences, and workshops
• Manage social media accounts
• Coordinate awards programs

What you will need in order to be successful:

• Degree in communications, liberal arts, library or information science, or a related field; or combination of post secondary education and professional experience
• Superb attention to detail and strong editing skills
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to effectively and efficiently handle multiple, simultaneous, and some short-notice tasks and projects in a deadline-driven environment
• Ability to work independently, but also to work well with others
• Skill in organizing resources and establishing and monitoring priorities
• Strong research, analysis, and evaluation skills
• Good judgment

Ideal candidates will also possess experience with:

• WordPress content management system
• Fluency with common word processing tools and related tools
• Publication layout and design
• Podcast production and audio and/or video editing software
• Writing/editing reports, news releases, and posts in an association or higher education environment
• SEO and data analytics

Modest travel required (1-2 trips annually)

This part-time (25 hours), benefited position is based in Washington, DC; in-office attendance will be required, though some limited telecommuting may be possible.

To apply, submit resume and cover letter to diane@cni.org. Application review will begin Jan. 2, 2020, and continue until position is filled.

CNI is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels.

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About the Coalition for Networked Information

The Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) is a joint program of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and EDUCAUSE that promotes the use of information technology to advance scholarship and education. Some 250 organizations representing higher education, publishing, information technology, scholarly and professional organizations, foundations, and libraries and library organizations, make up CNI’s members. Learn more at www.cni.org.

__________________________________________________
Diane Goldenberg-Hart

Assistant Director Designate
Coalition for Networked Information
21 Dupont Circle, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036
202.296.5098 | cni.org

I attended the LSC National Colloquium in November and was very impressed by the projects presented by some of the architects present at the meeting. Here are links to their work. CNI has been pleased to work with the Learning Spaces Collaboratory for many years.

—Joan Lippincott, CNI

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Greetings:

The LSC National Colloquium was an opportunity for architects and academics to learn with and from each other about how the imagined and ideal spaces for learning have evolved over the past two decades. It was an opportunity to examine posters presented by participating architects that individually and collectively made the case for planning that focuses on connections within and beyond the campus community, shaping inclusive learning environments, and creating ecosystems for learning.

From the LSC 2019 National Colloquium: spaces that work collection II

v CONNECT within and beyond the campus community

• Ayers Saint Gross: Semans-Griswold Environmental Hall – Washington College
• Ellenzweig: New STEM Learning Complex with Re-purposed Power Plant – Michigan State University
• EwingCole: Cyber Engineering and Academic Center – US Military Academy
• Shepley Bulfinch: Center for Innovation and Collaboration – Loyola University Maryland

v  FOCUS on inclusive environments that serve all ways of thinking, learning and doing

• Clark Nexsen: vers un habitat inclusif! – Proposed: Rethinking A Truly Inclusive Habitat
• Perkins & Will: Center for the Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Nursing – Bowie State University
• The Sextant Group: Executive Hall for Entrepreneurship and Innovation – University of Missouri Kansas City
• Hanbury: An Overview of Flexible Classroom Prototypes
• HOK: The Academic Workplace – George Washington University, Morgan State University, University of Southern California
• Research Facilities Design: New Center for the Sciences – Valparaiso University

v  CREATE Ecosystems for Learning

• Gould Evans: Earth Energy & Environment Center – University of Kansas
• HMA2 Architects: New Campus – American University of Central Asia
• Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP: The Milstein Center – Barnard College
• The S/L/A/M Collaborative: A Campus Crossroads – The University of Notre Dame

Jeanne

____________________________
Jeanne L. Narum
Learning Spaces Collaboratory, Principal

(202) 528-0305

jlnarum.lsc.ico@gmail.com
http://www.pkallsc.org/

I want to make sure the CNI constituency is aware of this Call for Proposals. The Library Assessment Conference is a premier venue for assessment issues broadly conceived and I encourage those of you doing interesting work in this area to consider submitting a proposal.
—Joan Lippincott, CNI

Proposal Topics

• Assessment program establishment/development/sustainment
• Collaborative assessments (including consortial, ARL, ACRL, PLA, Libraries without Borders, etc.)
• Critical and/or theoretical perspectives on assessment
• Data management and visualization
• Digital libraries and repositories
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Measurement and measures/indicators
• Methods and tools
• Organizational and institutional assessments (including accreditation)
• Organizational issues and approaches
• Services, collections (including specialized collections), and programs
• Space and facilities planning and use
• Teaching and learning, learning analytics
• Usability/user experience
• Value and impact

Presentation Formats

Papers

Posters

Workshops

• Title of the workshop
• A 750-word description, including details about how the workshop will actively engage participants in hands-on learning
• 2–3 learning outcomes
• Brief biography (100 words) for each workshop leader, including experience leading workshops
• Audience level of participants (beginner, expert)
• Whether a half-day or full-day workshop is envisioned based on the content, or if flexible to do either

Proposal Submission, Evaluation, Notification, Publication

• Relevance to effective, sustainable, and practical library assessment
• Significance of contribution to the body of work associated with library assessment
• Clarity of expression
• Status of research (For paper proposals, are the results in hand? When appropriate, please include the timeline for completion of research.)
• Results/findings that can be used to enact change

• Relevance to effective, sustainable, and practical library assessment
• Applicability to a variety of libraries (for example, research, community college, etc.)
• Clearly articulated learning outcomes and takeaways
• Clearly articulated plan for how the workshop will engage participants in hands-on activities
• Demonstrated experience in leading workshops or other hands-on instructional activities

More Information

About the Association of Research Libraries

About the University of Washington Libraries

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will hold an informational webinar on the Draft Policy for Data Management and Sharing on Monday, December 16, 2019, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET. – see details below. A call for comments on the draft was shared in November.

-Diane Goldenberg-Hart
CNI Communications

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December 3, 2019

NIH to Host Informational Webinar on the Draft NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing and Supplemental Draft Guidance

NIH will be hosting an informational public webinar on the Draft NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing and Supplemental Draft Guidance on Monday, December 16, 2019, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET. The purpose of this webinar is to provide information on the draft policy and answer any clarifying questions about the public comment process. Public comments will NOT be accepted via the webinar but must instead be sent through the link provided below.

Instructions for Accessing Webinar:

• To view the webinar presentation, please click here
• To call-in to the webinar:
  • U.S. and Canadian participants can dial: 866-844-9416 and enter passcode: 4009108
• For international participants, please refer to the table of toll-free numbers found here.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WHILE YOU WILL ABLE TO VIEW THE WEBINAR THROUGH WEBEX, YOU MUST USE THE SPECIFIED PHONE LINE TO BE CONNECTED TO THE AUDIO.  YOU WILL BE UNABLE TO CALL-IN VIA YOUR COMPUTER.

Participants may also send questions in advance of the webinar to SciencePolicy@od.nih.gov

Comments on the draft policy and draft supplemental guidance can be made electronically here through Friday, January 10, 2020.

I’ve had a chance to catch up a little bit on my reading. Here are three documents that may be of interest to our community.

My apologies if these are “old news” and readers have already heard about them.

First, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report looking at how well various government agencies are doing on their mandate to provide public access to publicly funded research, along with recommendations on how they can improve this. The report is a very useful and fairly concise snapshot of a lot of not necessarily well-coordinated efforts as well as a window into commitments that these agencies are making going forward. See

https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-20-81

Second, the Confederation of Open Access Repositories (COAR) has issued a fairly extensively revised version of its report on PubFAIR, a framework coming out of its work on Next Generation Repositories and their role as part of a scholarly publishing system. See

https://www.coar-repositories.org/news-updates/pubfair-version-2-now-available/

Finally, there’s a rather long essay by Richard Poynder, an author and journalist that has been involved in the open access movement since the very early days, that’s very thought provoking and well worth reading. It’s a speculative examination of unexpected and unintended consequences of the open access movement, past, present and future, set in the context of geopolitical developments that include the nationalistic splintering of the internet. I suspect this will be very unpopular in some circles but in my view very much worth reading and thinking about. It’s titled “Open Access: Could Defeat Be Snatched From the Jaws of Victory?” (which I’m not sure is the best framing of the question — see the discussion on the Scholarly Kitchen Web Site at https://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2019/11/25/the-tyranny-of-unintended-consequences-richard-poynder-on-open-access-and-the-open-access-movement/ ) but you can find Richard’s essay at:

https://richardpoynder.co.uk/Jaws.pdf

Clifford Lynch
Director, CNI