MiALA 2026 Annual Conference

This session explores strategies to increase subject liaison engagement in collection development decisions through data-driven approaches. Librarians from both mid-size and large institutions will share strategies to help subject liaisons make informed collections decisions using data, collaborative discussion, and subject expertise. We will discuss challenges that librarians may face while doing collection development in addition to their other job duties and open the discussion up for the audience to speak from their own experiences.

Learning Objective(s): 1) Identify common challenges subject liaisons face in balancing collection development with other responsibilities; 2) Develop practical approaches to data driven decision making into liaison workflows; and 3) Collaborate with peers to share ideas and solutions for increasing liaison engagement in collection development.

We all want to ensure departments across campus have access to the resources they need. And using data to make resource allocation decisions is responsible. But how do you ensure smaller departments aren’t placed at a disadvantage when metrics like cost-per-use are utilized? This presentation explores one academic library’s experience setting up a rubric to evaluate electronic resources that incorporates weight to equalize data across departments of various sizes.

Learning Objective(s): 1) Analyze the challenges of using raw data to make collections decisions; 2) Identify metrics for their own evaluation rubric; 3) Apply similar formulas to weigh criteria within the rubric; and 4) Develop strategies to communicate collection renewal decisions effectively and transparently to stakeholders outside the library.

The Packaging Reuse Project is a collaboration between the library’s resource sharing department and eight different locations on campus, allowing for a unique connection between different departments. This presentation will discuss how the project was started, issues we encountered, and how the project currently operates, as well as highlight ways that attendees can collaborate and connect across campus, even if they are not part of a resource sharing department.

Learning Objective(s): 1) Attendees will be able to identify potential partners for a packaging reuse program or other collaboration; and 2) Attendees will be able to identify benefits as well as potential issues and/or roadblocks when implementing a similar program at their own institutions.

Presentation Slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vQPMwiKqLHpuWDXYrn_YTqZsBkcvxpLK4_NKubbBWnJFMJg-ylO3rpRJA9AM0ZsyIMIhUj8aABVqPPL/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=60000

This presentation will describe the process the MSU Libraries undertook to create an auto-triaging contact form using Drupal Forms and the LibAnswers API, effectively combining the workflows of two previously distinct units. We will cover how we designed the form, technical considerations and troubleshooting, and policies we implemented to ensure further triage once the form is submitted. Attendees will leave with tools to create a similar form at their own libraries.

Learning Objective(s): 1) Attendees will learn how the LibAnswers API can be used to create a self-triaging contact form; 2) Attendees will explore the process for creating a library contact form using Drupal Forms; and 3) Attendees will examine policies and workflows for effective reference/technical support triage in an academic library setting.

Modernizing gallery, library, archives, and special library (GLAMS) records to include accurate tribal names, replacing derogatory terminology, identifying married women as individuals, giving equal respect (and space) in your classification system to all religions and classes of people, all fall under the umbrella of reparative cataloging in description! Learning about visionary librarians of the past, current reparative projects, with resources, and tips for starting a project today!

Learning Objective(s): ​​​​1) Identify Reparative Description projects, discuss the underlying logic and reasoning, and how those changes create more accurate descriptions, dignity, and equity for marginalized people; 2) Communicate how Reparative Description and Conscientious Cataloging embody the ethical standards of libraries; and 3) How to implement changes independently by using local subject headings, authority records, and controlled vocabularies

Much of our cultural legacy remains hidden in documents that traditional OCR cannot read and digital platforms struggle to surface. This session explores how one library is using emerging AI models to extract text from heavily degraded documents and historic handwriting, combined with modern development approaches to present these materials in new ways. Designed for librarians, archivists, and digital humanities practitioners, attendees will gain practical knowledge applicable to their own collections, regardless of technical background.

Learning Objective(s): ​​​​1) Identify AI tools beyond chat models, such as vision language models, that can extract text from degraded documents and historic handwriting; 2) Describe modern 'vibe-based' development approaches that lower technical barriers for creating digital collection interfaces; and 3) Evaluate how these emerging tools and techniques might be applied to cultural heritage materials in their own organizations.