2025 PASCAL Member Conference

The Lightning Talks session will feature four 20-minute presentations back-to-back in a 80 minute time slot, with a moderator for introductions, Q&A, and time keeping. Each speaker will give a 15-minute presentation with 5 minutes for Q&A.

AI in Cataloging: Opportunities and Pitfalls
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a powerful tool and assistant. AI models like ChatGPT and Copilot have demonstrated the potential to enhance cataloging processes. These AI systems can assist in generating Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) by interpreting complex prompts and providing relevant suggestions. Using studies on ChatGPT and Copilot, this presentation involves learning what is possible and what could be the future of coding and cataloging. AI's ability to process vast amounts of data and learn from patterns makes it an invaluable resource for cataloging professionals. AI has pitfalls because it is not always correct, and human judgment is needed to analyze the answers currently. Although it is a good place to start assembling records, it is not an end-all technology presently. One of the issues is it does not understand RDA. This presentation will examine AI's capacity for cataloging now.

Moderator: Chris Morris, Clemson University

The Lightning Talks session will feature four 20-minute presentations back-to-back in a 80 minute time slot, with a moderator for introductions, Q&A, and time keeping. Each speaker will give a 15-minute presentation with 5 minutes for Q&A.

Inventory Show and Tell
This presentation will serve as in-person follow-up to our Inventory Webinar. It will provide an opportunity for attendees to see and try out the scanners we used, see and hear about interesting items found in books during the inventory process, get some helpful tips for performing their own inventory project as well as an opportunity to ask questions about the inventory process.

Moderator: Chris Morris, Clemson University

The Lightning Talks session will feature four 20-minute presentations back-to-back in a 80 minute time slot, with a moderator for introductions, Q&A, and time keeping. Each speaker will give a 15-minute presentation with 5 minutes for Q&A.

Saving a Sinking Ship: Managing a Skeleton Crew in Acquisitions
Over the last five years, Clemson Libraries' Acquisitions department has had three separate leaders who managed a continually changing and depleted staff. During those years, at least ten positions were modified or vacated. Individuals departed due to retirement, illness, finding new positions at other organizations, or by adopting new roles or titles within Clemson Libraries following a reorganization. Through a mix of creative solutions and careful planning, our department continues to function at a high level.

Moderator: Chris Morris, Clemson University

The Lightning Talks session will feature four 20-minute presentations back-to-back in a 80 minute time slot, with a moderator for introductions, Q&A, and time keeping. Each speaker will give a 15-minute presentation with 5 minutes for Q&A.

USC's Research Data Analysis and Statistics Support Service - Data Help for the Campus Community
The Research Data Analysis and Statistics Support Service at USC's Libraries provides free stats and analysis help for faculty, students, and staff at the Columbia campus. This service, staffed by a Statistics PhD student, is in its second pilot year. As the only service of its kind available to anyone on campus, it has become an important source of help for researchers who lack the statistics background to complete projects. As the largest user group, graduate students are particularly well-served. In this lightning talk, participants will learn about the need for this service and first-steps that can be taking to bring a similar service to their own campuses.

Moderator: Chris Morris, Clemson University