We're excited to announce our second Library 2.018 mini-conference: "Blockchain Applied: Impact on the Information Profession," which will be held online (and for free) on Thursday, June 7th, from 12:00 - 3:00 pm US-Pacific Daylight Time (click for your own time zone).

This event is being organized in partnership with Dr. Sue Alman, who will serve as moderator for the opening panel and as the closing keynote speaker.

The idea for ways that blockchain technology could be used by libraries came after hearing a presentation on LEARNING IS EARNING in the national learning economy made by Jane McGonigal, Institute for the Future, at the at the SXSW conference. The discussion fueled a plan for libraries to validate the academic and professional development credentials of individuals in a permanent electronic ledger that could have global access to their records eliminating the need for individuals to keep track of and submit individual copies of transcripts, certificates, badges, and other credentials. An investigation revealed that libraries might be able to use blockchain technology to accomplish more than housing electronic credentials.

Twenty-first century information professionals provide dynamic services and resources in physical and virtual spaces through personal interaction, virtual intermediation, or social media. In addition to lending books, information centers provide entry points to the digital world. When walking into a library or information center, you may find robots, makerspaces with 3D printers, collaborative areas, augmented reality apps, and access to an array of digital materials. Librarians/information professionals have the research and technical skills needed to organize and analyze information in order to customize relevant sources for each user. Libraries are dynamic, ever-changing organizations that can anchor communities. Technology enables the profession to broaden our impact within the community and around the globe.

Join the discussion on ways that blockchain technology can be used in libraries. https://ischoolblogs.sjsu.edu/blockchains

We invite all library professionals, employers, LIS students, and educators to provide input and participate this event.

This is a free event, being held online.

REGISTER HERE
to attend live or to receive the recording links afterwards. Please also join this Library 2.0 network to be kept updated on this and future events.

Participants are encouraged to use #library2018 and #libraryblockchain on their social media posts leading up to and during the event.

MORE INFORMATION:

The School of Information at San José State University is the founding conference sponsor, and additional support has been provided by Follett. Please register as a member of the Library 2.0 network to be kept informed of future events. Recordings from previous years are available under the Archives tab at Library 2.0 and at the Library 2.0 YouTube channel.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS:

We will have a limited number of slots for presenter sessions. The call for proposals will open in January. We encourage all who are interested in presenting to submit.