VALA2024 Keynote 06 Benjamin

The once and future librarian

VALA2024 KEYNOTE SESSION 06

Thursday 11th July 2024, 3.30-4.30pm

Donna Benjamin

  • Senior Engagement Lead
  • Red Hat Open Innovation Labs

Presentation: (coming soon)

Link

Abstract

Librarians are vanguards of infotech. Struggling with legacy systems accumulated alongside precious collections of books, journals, tools, and toys. Watching waves of uncertainty in a world newly obsessed with AI, we may well wonder what’s next. Let’s pause and reflect on the journey that got us here. Let’s examine the messy middle of our present. Let’s do more than imagine where to go now. Let’s re-make the future. Let’s iterate, and re-iterate.

The Open Practice Library has no books, no bricks, no mortar. It has no systems to manage loans. It’s a collection of practices, open to all to use, to study, to change, and to share.

In this closing address, Donna Benjamin will invite attendees to take the first step into their own future, empowered by their own legacy, enabled by open practices, and fueled with optimistic intent for what’s possible.

Biography

Open Source Advocate – Open Practice Coach – Product Owner – Keynote Speaker.

Over the years Donna has taken on a range of leadership roles in the Australian Open Source community, sitting on boards and committees and organising events.

Donna has served as a layperson on the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Victorian Cancer Council.

Donna’s background in marketing and theatre underpins her belief that ‘the show must go on’​. The web is a stage for many individuals and companies. It delivers incredible opportunities to communicate with their audience, whether that’s members, learners, customers or constituents.

Donna prepares and presents customised keynote sessions that motivate people to act by taking their first step into the future.

This work is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International.