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

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.

Closing the Gap: How a community college balanced accreditation goals and a flat budget with one project
Prompted by a 3-yr cycle for SACSCOC administrative unit requirements, the Learning Commons (LC) at Tri-County Technical College, devised a Program Outcome Assessment Plan (POAP), which allowed the LC to better ascertain the state of their overall database environment, while accounting for a static acquisitions budget and limited digital resources. Structured around a curricular mapping project and gap analysis, the POAP revealed key areas of strength and weakness relative to the curriculum and created openings for in-depth liaison conversations with academic departments. The presentation will chronicle the project from initial planning to final execution, touching on several points of struggle that needed to be addressed. Those issues include data collection challenges, statistical relevance and comparability, and fiscal constraints, as well as stakeholder expectations. As a result of this initiative, the LC is better prepared to meet accreditation goals and has gained a more targeted approach to collection development.

Moderator: Heather Holmes, Medical University of South Carolina

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.

Empowering Student Employees via Guerilla-Style Usability Testing
We needed to capture data from our students about our website while empowering our student assistants with additional growth opportunities. We wanted to make it known that we value their insight and recognize them as key contributors. We were inspired to conduct – guerilla-style usability testing (on the spot, quick questions) as an innovative approach to how we gather information. During this lightning talk, we will discuss why the usability testing project was initiated, each phase of the project – from planning to implementation, and how students played a crucial role. Finally, we’ll discuss the next steps in the project. We’ll also present the changes we applied based on student response through this multi-year-long project.

Moderator: Heather Holmes, Medical University of South Carolina

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.

Promoting the Library Through Social Media
As a Gen Z librarian, Amanda Caldwell knows the importance of having a social media presence. Funny videos recorded in the library, eye-catching advertisements for upcoming events, and collaborations with other departments brings students in and keeps them coming back for more. Amanda will discuss not only the importance of promoting the library through social media, but how to do so successfully.

Moderator: Heather Holmes, Medical University of South Carolina

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.

User-Centered by Design: Enhancing User Experience and Engagement at MUSC Libraries
How can academic libraries create more meaningful connections with their users? At the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Libraries, the Department of User Experience and Engagement is reimagining library services through a user-centered approach that prioritizes innovation and connection. This presentation will highlight key engagement initiatives, including data-informed service enhancements, strategic outreach efforts, and collaborative programming that fosters deeper user engagement. Attendees will gain insights into practical strategies for improving library experiences, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that libraries remain essential, user-focused spaces. Join us for a discussion on challenges, successes, and future directions in designing library experiences that truly meet the needs of diverse academic communities.

Moderator: Heather Holmes, Medical University of South Carolina