March’s Emerging Trends presentations provided tips on using technology for the creation and delivery of information. Cliff Landis introduced Linked Open Data. Most library users will interact with linked open data about the library before they ever interact with the library itself. A quick Google or Wikipedia search will show an information box filled with facts about the library, built using linked data. At its most basic, linked open data is a group of technologies and standards that enables: 1) writing factual statements in a machine-readable format, 2) linking those factual statements to one another, and 3) publishing those statements on the web with an open license for anyone to access. In this session, you’ll learn how the AUC Woodruff Library is already using linked open data, and ways you can independently contribute to open knowledge with linked open data. Jacquelyn Daniel discussed Mindfulness & Meditation. This presentation will allow us to ponder the value of physical space in the AUC Woodruff Library. Beyond understanding mindfulness, we will look at examples of academic libraries and other organizations that currently offer mediation and mindfulness options for staff and/or users. Additionally, we will explore the potential for incorporating these practices in our library for librarians and students. Please read this short essay by Julie Artman for a brief introduction to Mindfulness.

December’s Emerging Trends presentations provided tips on using technology for the creation and delivery of information. Madhu Kadiyala, Robert L. Fallen, Stephanie Bernard, and Suteera Apichatabutra share their knowledge from the Collections and Content Management Department, “Trends in Collections and Analytics.” There are many trends in the field of collections in the last few years. The whole serials market has been shaken up by mass cancellations, price changes, more document delivery choices, and changes in the way serials are used. Database products are transforming from collections of articles to “one stop shops” containing e-books, conference papers, videos, and many other publication formats. New analytics tools allow us to have detailed views of usage and complex views of collections. Open access materials are becoming better and more plentiful. The market is full of mergers and company acquisitions. “Collections as a service” is a fairly new buzz word, and there are recent cooperative collection projects that aim to preserve predictable numbers of copies of printed text as libraries move to more electronic delivery. In Jessica Epstein's presentation, "Post-COVID Academic Library Trend-Forecasting with a Focus on HBCUs," she covered topics ranging from the impact of access to a physical library space, issues of digital divide, device preferences during pandemic online learning and trend forecasting for Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library.

May’s Emerging Trends presentations provided tips on using technology for the creation and delivery of information. Teva Sweet presented "Improving Low Morale in Academic Libraries" and Jessica Leming discussed "Digital Images and Printing.” Teva’s presentation covered the following topics: outcomes of low morale; retention; institutional credibility; and shareholder satisfaction. She offered some ways to improve low morale at academic libraries. Some examples are: taking the time to know co-workers, create community, do climate surveys, and focus on work/life balance. In Jessica’s presentation, she discussed assisting researchers and scholars in digital images and printing. She covered standard PPI, TIFF vs JPEG, dye sublimation printing, and print quality for different printers and paper.