Association of Jewish Libraries 2024 Conference San Diego

The Role of Access, Context, and Digitization in Fueling and Combating Antisemitism--Max Daniel
The internet has become the primary breeding ground for extremist White Nationalist and antisemitic ideology, and perpetrators of violent hate crimes are often motivated by what they read and hear online. Hate groups and websites are, regrettably, at the forefront of digitizing, (mis)interpreting, and making accessible scores of antisemitic documents and sources. By using examples of antisemitic websites documenting the infamous trial and lynching of Leo Frank in 1913, Max Daniel demonstrates how providing online access to digitized primary sources - especially about sensitive subjects like antisemitism - should be a priority for archivists, librarians, and scholars of Jewish subjects.

From Broadcaster to Digital Connective Tissue--Leo Lazar
Digital has emerged as one of the most transformative forces in modern Jewish life. Today it is far more than a tool for discovery; for many, it is the primary platform for Jewish life. To stay relevant, online Jewish publications must respond to the general public's hunger for impactful experiences. This presentation aims to show how 70 Faces Media - the largest digital publisher of Jewish content in North America - has realigned much of its content strategy around adding depth and dimensions of experience to its core offerings, including greater opportunities for interactivity and community. It will survey broader trends in the news and consumer media industry, as well as major developments in publishing platform technology.

A Reality and Future of Librarianship: The Role of AI in Transforming Library Services with a Special Focus on Jewish Libraries--Olga Potap
ChatGPT, Google's AI-Bard, and other AI language models have sparked debates in librarianship. Supporters praise their interactive capabilities, instant information retrieval, creativity, and versatility. Critics highlight issues like limited predictive skills, misinformation, and a narrow knowledge base. Olga Potap's  presentation will showcase how ChatGPT and Bard can be applied in librarianship, covering areas like reference services, collection development, and cataloging. She will explore both the advantages and limitations of AI, with a particular focus on their use in Jewish libraries.