Call for Papers — Open Sessions

Library data in the world of machine learning

• 28 March 2023, 12:08

Theme: "Library data in the world of machine learning: ethics, bias and algorithms"

The IFLA Information Technology, Subject Analysis and Access, and  Cataloguing Sections are seeking proposals for papers to be presented at their Joint Open Session at the IFLA World Library and Information Congress 2023 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Libraries prioritize making information discoverable and accessible through their professional expertise leveraging content expertise, specialized data standards, library and data workflows, and technology tools within a framework of ethics that centres users. These professional practices have not remained static, however; in fact, they are evolving rapidly to remain aligned in a landscape of new systems and standards, new data models and formats, and new web technologies that all demand updated skills to stay current.

This session, jointly hosted by the Information Technology Section, the Subject Analysis and Access Section, and the Cataloguing Section, is designed to probe into the challenges and opportunities of this evolution and highlight ethical issues, practical approaches, and technology solutions that are in use in libraries around the world. We welcome case studies and research into work at the intersection of metadata and technology, with a particular focus on presentations that address topics raised by machine learning, such as responsible data creation/management, addressing bias in description, and balancing human intellectual work with the power of algorithms and automation.

We would like to invite presentations or papers on the following sub-themes:

• Ethical implications of machine learning as applied to data in library settings
• Balancing ethical considerations with efficient processes in library data work
• Problems with historical metadata – effects on machine learning and remediation through machine learning
• Examples of how AI and linked data/semantic web tools are being applied to transform access and discovery of data
• Inquiry into building capacity in staff skills and knowledge of ethical use of tools and technologies
• Methods to prepare and provide ethical data for use in machine learning contexts
• Presentations of tools or software being used within ethical frameworks
• Reflections on experimentation that did not go so well; what was learned?

Each presentation will be no longer than 15 minutes and in English.  Time for Q&A will be scheduled after the paper presentations.

Proposals must be submitted in an electronic format and must include the following information:

•       Name, title, institution, country, and email of speaker(s)
•       Brief biographical statement about each speaker (max 100 words)
•       Title of proposed presentation
•       Abstract of presentation (max 500 words)
•       Language of presentation

All proposals should be submitted by email to both the following contacts:

• Cory Lampert – Secretary, Information Technology Section – [email protected] 
• Caroline Saccucci – Secretary, Subject Access and Analysis Section – [email protected]
• Vincent Boulet – Chair, Cataloguing section – [email protected]

Send proposal abstracts (500 words or less) by 1 May 2023, to: Cory Lampert ([email protected]), Caroline Saccucci ([email protected]), and Vincent Boulet ([email protected]).

Important dates:

• 1 May 2023 (Monday): Deadline for submission of abstract
• 22 May 2023 (Monday): Notification of acceptance
• 3 July 2023 (Monday): Deadline for submission of presenter information and final paper

Please note:

The conference gives the priority to the face-to-face dimension. At least one of the paper’s authors is strongly encouraged be present to deliver a summary of the paper during the Open Session in Rotterdam. A video recording could be accepted, as an exception.

The paper, if supplied, must be an original submission not presented or published elsewhere. All papers that are presented at the WLIC 2023 will be made available online via the IFLA Repository under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.

Authors of accepted papers must complete the IFLA Authors’ Permission Form.

All expenses for attending the Open Session (including conference attendance fees, travel, accommodation, etc.) are the responsibility of the authors/presenters. No financial support can be provided by IFLA.

Congress participation Grants:

List of opportunities for support is available on the Apply for Grants & Awards webpage.