EDITOR'S NOTES
Librarians Staying Focused and Stalwart
by Dick Kaser
This issue covers a lot of ground, all of which is about moving forward in a time of uncertainty. Information specialist Amy Affelt discusses the latest developments in AI, namely, extremely intelligent assistants. Her review of new initiatives at Google and other companies in the AI space gives a glimpse of one foreseeable future. As educational initiatives appear to be moving from federal agencies to the states, three librarians, Deborah Hempe, Marika Jeffery, and Alison Peters—of Centereach, N.Y.; San Diego, and Contra Costa County, Calif., respectively—share their experience in providing resources for homeschoolers and their parents. It may foretell an extended role for public libraries in local public education as well.
As for the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Kalana Gates of Detroit Public Library shares her experience with programs to help close the digital divide and make sure that everyone has an equal opportunity to become digitally literate.
Chad Mairn discusses his views on the future of AI in research and discovery, while Terence Huwe talks about the importance of understanding the full range of social media content in his article on folkloristics.
In the Online Searcher section, Marydee Ojala discusses the challenge of disappearing government data as websites and databases are taken down.
While this is a period of increased uncertainty for libraries, the authors in this issue focus on mission-critical priorities and proactive initiatives that should withstand the test of these times.
Hang in there everyone.
Dick Kaser, Executive Editor
kaser@infotoday.com
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