Mortenson Center for International Library Programs

Starting in an hour ~ Join us for the "AI USE IN INTERNATIONAL LIS EDUCATION" WEBINAR

The IFLA SET, in collaboration with the ALISE International Library Education SIG, is hosting a joint webinar on the use of AI in international LIS education. This session will bring together diverse global perspectives, showcasing how AI is being integrated and explored across LIS curricula, pedagogy, professional practice, and research. Presenters from various regions will share innovative approaches, case studies, and practical experiences that highlight both opportunities and challenges associated with incorporating AI into LIS education. Following the presentations, participants will be invited to engage in a discussion.
Date and Time:

Wednesday, April 15, 2026
10:00-11:00 am CDT (Check your local time using https://lnkd.in/gEP6RfDs)

Register at: https://lnkd.in/gJMxNxAw

Speakers:
Dr. Andrew Cox - Senior Lecturer, University of Sheffield
Dr. Bosire Onyancha - Professor, University of South Africa
Dr. Clara Chu - Director and Mortenson Distinguished Professor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Dr. Dania Bilal - Professor, University of Tennessee in Knoxville
Dr. Soo Young Rieh - Brooke E. Sheldon Professor of Management and Leadership, University of Texas
Moderator:
Dr. Sandy Hirsh - Special Assistant to the Provost for AI Initiatives, San José State

The Mortenson Center for International Library Programs https://www.library.illinois.edu/mortenson/ congratulates Barbara J. Ford, former director and Mortenson Distinguished Professor (2003 to 2014), who has been named an Honorary Member by the American Library Association. Read the full news release: bit.ly/4bPQkTW

Join us for the webinar on
Decolonizing African Collections Through Open Access
Wednesday, March 25, 2026: 12:00-1:30pm CT (Check your local time using https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/ )
Register at: https://go.illinois.edu/DecolonizingAfricanCollection

SPEAKERS
Reggie Raju, Director, Research & Learning Services, University of Cape Town Libraries (South Africa) ~ The Paradox in Decolonizing African Collections
Andiswa Mfengu, Senior Lecturer and Head, Department of Knowledge and Information Stewardship, University of Cape Town (South Africa) ~ Decolonising African Collections Through Global Collaboration and Equity
Deborah LaFond, Associate Librarian, University at Albany Libraries and Jason Schultz, Collections Coordinator; Librarian for African American & Diaspora Studies/History/Islamic Studies, Vanderbilt University Heard Libraries (USA) ~ Advocacy for Decolonial Praxis of African Collections: Diamond Open Access Models and Networks

MODERATOR
Clara M. Chu, Director and Mortenson Distinguished Professor, Mortenson Center for International Library Programs; University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) Library (USA)

PROGRAM HOSTS and CONTACTS
Atoma Batoma, African Studies Librarian; Associate Professor, UIUC Library (USA) [email protected]
Adéyínká Àlásadé, Outreach Coordinator, Center for African Studies, UIUC (USA) [email protected]

Co-sponsored by the Center for African Studies, International and Area Studies Library at Illinois, and the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs at the University Library at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

You are invited to a hybrid screening of "The Librarians" https://www.facebook.com/TheLibrariansFilm on Tuesday, January 27, 2026; 19:00-21:30 EST (Toronto local time). Trailer https://www.facebook.com/TheLibrariansFilm/videos/1721166088584435, which explores the critical issue of censorship in the United States. It is sponsored by IFLA’s North American Regional Division, IFLA’s Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE), the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL), University of Toronto Libraries, Toronto Metropolitan University Libraries, and York University Libraries.

There will be two viewing options (in person and online); separate registrations are required for each option. For more information and to register, see:
https://www.ifla.org/events/join-us-for-a-special-online-screening-of-the-film-the-librarians-%F0%9F%8D%BF%F0%9F%93%BD%EF%B8%8F/

Happy Holidays from the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs! https://www.library.illinois.edu/mortenson/ May the work of your library bring Hope, Peace, and Joy to you and your communities in 2026!

Donate to the Mortenson Center funds to promote international education, understanding, and peace, and the professional development of international librarians.

Make a gift at https://www.library.illinois.edu/friends/make-a-gift/.

Select “Mortenson Center for International Library Programs Innovation Fund”, OR select “Other” and write “Marianna Tax Choldin Fund”, OR select “Other” and write “Kathleen Weibel Memorial Fund”.

Make a gift to the Kathleen Weibel Memorial Fund to continue her legacy in international librarianship and commitment to the professional development of international librarians.

Donate at https://www.library.illinois.edu/friends/make-a-gift/. Select “Other” and write “Kathleen Weibel Memorial Fund”.

Read the Friendscript Article p.7 here:https://www.library.illinois.edu/friends/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/FriendscriptV47N1.pdf

The American Library Association will host the event:
“Libraries as Builders of Peace: Fostering Understanding through Access, Dialogue, and Knowledge.”
This program explores how libraries advance human rights, education, global understanding, and community connection.

Dr. Clara M. Chu, Director of the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Library), will be one of the speakers. She will present:

“Libraries for Peace: Promoting International Education, Understanding, and Peace.”

December 10, 2025, 12 PM ET

Register here: https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y9wWueInSA2qFsu46mkahQ #/registration

We are pleased to share that Dr. Clara M. Chu, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Mortenson Center, co-presented the paper Fueling Conversations: AI Education Across the iSchools in the US and Canada at the 88th Annual Meeting of the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T).

Presented on 18 November 2025, this collaborative research explored how iSchools in the United States and Canada are preparing future information professionals for ethical and human-centered AI environments.

Co-Authors:
Dania Bilal
Clara M. Chu
Soo Young Rieh
Nadia Khalique

We acknowledge the team’s contribution to ethical and globally relevant AI education in library and information science.

We are pleased to share that Dr. Clara M. Chu, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Mortenson Center, co-presented a poster with Mortenson Center alumna and doctoral student, Vuyokazi Jamieson, at the 88th Annual Meeting of the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T).

Conference Theme: Difficult Conversations: The Role of Information Science in the Age of Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence

Poster Presentation Date: 17 November 2025
Poster Title: Disrupting Informed Consent: Refusal and Cultural Sovereignty in Indigenous Knowledge Practices

The poster prompted participants to consider how traditional models of informed consent may conflict with Indigenous approaches to collective consent, relational ethics, and knowledge sovereignty. The presentation highlighted refusal as an active, culturally grounded ethical stance that protects ceremonial knowledge, authorship, and community authority within research and information practices.

Congratulations to Jamieson and Chu for advancing ethical and community-centered information research.

UCT Libraries invites you to the official launch of the Journal of Academic Library Practice (JALP) — a new scholarly platform advancing research, innovation, and professional practice in academic libraries globally.

We are proud to share that Dr Clara M. Chu, Director of the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs, is serving on the JALP Advisory Board.

Tuesday, 02 December 2025
Attend in person or virtually.

Register below:
• In-person: https://uct.ac.za.libcal.com/event/15700913
• Virtual: https://uct.ac.za.libcal.com/event/15700914

Join us as we celebrate this exciting contribution to academic library scholarship!

Launch: Journal of Academic Library Practice virtual attendance Dear Colleagues Please join us virtually for the launch of our new journal - the Journal of Academic Library Practice. Kind regards Dr Reggie Raju (JALP: Editor)

Members of the Mortenson Center community were delighted to connect with past Associates and colleagues at the 88th Annual Meeting of the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T).

The Mortenson Center values continued collaboration with its alumni and partners in the field. We were proud to engage with:

Mortenson Associates Alumni:

Vuyokazi Jamieson (Past Associate, 2022)
Nyakundi Nyambane (Past Associate, 2024)
Donus Buadi (Past Associate, 2025)

International Professional Colleagues, such as:

Dr. Marlene Holmner, President-Elect, ASIS&T
Dr. Connie Bitso, Chair, ASIS&T Africa Chapter

These connections reflect our global network of library and information professionals committed to advancing leadership, collaboration, and innovative practice worldwide.

We celebrate ongoing partnerships that continue to grow beyond the program and across international borders.