Article on Ability of Voice Assistants and Generative AI to Respond to Reference Questions

The September 2024 issue of The Journal of Academic Librarianship has published an article by 2 McGill University librarians on Comparing generative artificial intelligence tools to voice assistants using reference interactions:

"This study investigates the ability of voice assistants and generative AI tools to respond to reference questions traditionally received by academic librarians. The authors created a sample of 25 questions based on queries received on the virtual reference service at their institution. They then created a rubric to evaluate the quality of the answers that the AI powered tools provided. The authors determined that the tools understand reference questions well and provide relevant answers but that the quality of the references provided, and the accuracy of the answers can be lacking. They suggest that more research needs to be done to understand the place of AI powered tools in reference services (...)"

"Conclusion:
 Given the increasing presence of voice assistants and the near constant improvements to generative AI tools like ChatGPT, librarians may express a fear that users would employ them instead of using more traditional reference services. While Google Assistant performed well in responding to reference inquiries, it is interesting to note that most of the references that it recommended were academic library guides. It could be of interest to investigate how often voice assistants rely on library resources to provide answers. Even though voice assistants can provide an interesting starting point for research questions, this study shows that they should be used in conjunction with traditional reference services. As for ChatGPT, it can understand prompts and provide relevant answers but its inability to cite authoritative sources creates issues with reliability and authority. Perhaps other uses should be explored for these tools such as brainstorming or explaining concepts. Future studies could also explore how AI tools can be used in the provision of reference services in partnership with reference librarians."

CanLII Publishes Second Edition of Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law Open Access Textbook

CanLII, the Canadian Legal Information Institute, has published the second edition of the open access textbook Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law in Canada: Cases, Materials, and Problems.

"The first edition of this text, co-edited by Stephanie Ben-Ishai and Thomas Telfer, was published in 2019 by Irwin Law. This new edition is particularly noteworthy as it is the first open access text on Canadian bankruptcy and insolvency law, making it freely available to practitioners, students, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of this area of law. The editors have meticulously updated the content to reflect the latest legal developments, providing readers with comprehensive coverage of the subject through carefully selected cases, thought-provoking commentaries, and the inclusion of post-reading questions to assess comprehension of the material."

CanLII is a portal funded by Canada’s provincial and territorial law societies to make legal information content (court judgments, tribunal decisions, statutes and regulations, commentary) available to Canadians free of charge.

In recent years, it has been rapidly expanding its offerings of legal commentary, including law reviews, reports, newsletters and thousands of case commentaries. 

@Risk North 3 Digital Preservation Conference

The Canadian Association of Research Libraries, along with other partner organizations, is hosting a summit on Canadian digital preservation at the Library and Archives Canada location in Gatineau, Québec on November21-22, 2024:

"This open event will provide an opportunity for those at Canadian institutions who have strategic or operational responsibility for long-term access and preservation of digital content to learn from each other about progress, practices and policies for digital preservation in a Canadian context. The program includes a keynote address, panel discussions, and breakout sessions that explore global and national digital preservation strategies, tools, and collaborative efforts. Networking opportunities, including a reception and an optional tour of the Library and Archives Canada’s Gatineau Preservation Centre, are also planned."

• @Risk North 3 Registration Form
• @Risk North 3 Preliminary Program

Recent Government of Canada Publications from the Weekly Acquisitions List

The Government of Canada's Weekly Acquisitions List is a list of publications by various public bodies and agencies of the federal government that were catalogued in the previous week. 

Some of the documents in the most recent list include:

• Missing records, missing children : interim report of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples: "Despite progress on uncovering the truth surrounding residential schools, grey areas remain. The committee’s recent work found that many questions remain unanswered regarding the transfer of records about residential schools to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. As such, the committee decided to do a focused study to hear from federal, provincial, and territorial governments as well as from Catholic entities who have not yet fulfilled the requirements stipulated under the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement to remit records. Records are scattered across the country with no way of finding them other than traveling to a location and physically searching through dense linear feet of paper records. Indigenous families must conduct such searches to determine what happened to their children who went missing while attending the schools, or who went missing from health or social services institutions administered by provincial or territorial governments. This report, entitled Missing Children, Missing Records, makes 11 recommendations to improve access to residential school records. The key message is that the Government of Canada needs to support Indigenous communities to locate and access residential school records. The committee believes the federal Documents Advisory Committee is an important initiative and recommends that its work be funded and supported by dedicated staff to ensure it can meet its mandate."
• Emergency Preparedness and Response in Canada for People Living with Dementia (Public Health Agency of Canada): "This public opinion research report presents the results of online focus groups/dyads and in-depth interviews conducted by Narrative Research on behalf of Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada to better understand the current state of emergency preparedness and response guidance and the adequacy of measures to protect and support people living with dementia during emergency situations, with a particular focus on how to better prepare for future climate-related emergency situations. The research included a total of 25 online focus groups of various sizes, two dyad and 11 indepth interviews conducted from January 25th to February 23rd, 2024, divided into the following categories: people living with dementia who confirmed their ability to participate, unpaid caregivers to people living with dementia, and paid care providers who care for and interact, either directly or indirectly, with people living with dementia in a professional capacity, including paid care and support personnel, first responders, and government/logistical planners. Good geographic coverage was achieved across Canada and various community sizes were represented, including large urban, small/medium size urban, and rural areas."
• Report of the second legislative review of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (Health Canada): "In Canada, responsibility for health-related matters such as tobacco control is shared between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. The Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (TVPA) is the federal legislation that regulates the manufacture, sale, labelling and promotion of tobacco and vaping products. Each province and territory also has laws and regulations in place for tobacco control. These pieces of legislation work together with other tobacco control tools such as policy and programs, to address tobacco-related disease and death. As written in the legislation, the TVPA’s overall purpose is to 'provide a legislative response to a national public health problem of substantial and pressing concern and to protect the health of Canadians in light of conclusive evidence implicating tobacco use in the incidence of numerous debilitating and fatal diseases'. It supports four specific objectives related to tobacco products: to protect young persons and others from inducements to use tobacco products and the consequent dependence on them; to protect the health of young persons by restricting access to tobacco products; to prevent the public from being deceived or misled with respect to the health hazards of using tobacco products; and to enhance public awareness of those hazards. The TVPA includes a requirement for a legislative review of its provisions and operation to take place every two years. This review assessed whether progress was made towards achieving the tobacco-related objectives of the TVPA and whether the federal response, from a legislative perspective, is sufficient in addressing tobacco use in Canada."

Program 2024 Congrès de professionnel.le.s de l'information Now Available

The Congrès de professionnel.le.s de l'information is the largest French-language library and archives conference in Canada.

The program for the 2024 conference in early November in the Montreal suburb of Laval is available online.

Access 2024 Library Technology Conference Program Announced

The program for Access 2024, a major Canadian library technology conference, is now available.

The event takes place in Montreal from October 21 to 23, 2024.

Many of the conference presentations from previous years are online.

75th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Geneva Conventions

The blog of the International Association of Law Libraries had a post last week about the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, an essential component of international humanitarian law:

"Reading the news however, we are constantly reminded of the harm violations inflict upon civilians, prisoners of war, medical personnel and others affected by armed conflict. War is inherently destructive and will always cause suffering, of course, but we mustn’t lose sight of the difference compliance with the rules of the Geneva Conventions — and international humanitarian law (IHL) in general — can make for people who are caught up in war. This is why I wanted to take the opportunity to highlight an interesting resource my colleagues at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have created: the IHL in action database."

That IHL in Action database offers real-life case studies that document compliance with IHL in modern warfare.

Video Recording of CALL Conference Session on Legal Information for Incarcerated Persons

At the recent annual conference of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries in late June in Montreal, panelists and advocates from across the country took part in a panel discussion on access to libraries, law, and legal information for incarcerated persons. 

The session is now available on YouTube.

"Prison libraries are fundamental as they provide access to information about the rights of the incarcerated person and the tools necessary to access those rights. Imprisoned Canadians are an underserved segment of the population who lack adequate access to legal information and library services. Most provincial prisons do not have formal libraries. Without a legislated requirement for library access to books and materials, incarcerated persons lack recreational, cultural, educational, and law reading materials. As more legal information is placed online, incarcerated persons are being excluded from simple access to the law. The 'language of law' is not available to this group."

Panelists included:

• Helen Anderson, Director, CLEO Connect
• Alan Kilpatrick, Law Society of Saskatchewan
• Romy Otayek, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
• The Honourable Kim Pate, Senate of Canada
• Karen Sawatzky, Manitoba Law Library
• Ava Sinclair, Buffalo Sage Wellness House
• Kirsten Wurmann, Manitoba Library Association

August 2024 Issue of In Session E-Bulletin of Canadian Association of Law Libraries

The August 2024 issue of In Session has been published. 

It is the monthly e-newsletter of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL) and contains news from CALL committees and special interest groups, member updates and events.

Canadian Association of Law Libraries Looking for Volunteer Coordinator

The Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL) is looking for a volunteer coordinator:

"The Volunteer Coordinator would be responsible for creating an appropriate structure to develop and support our growing volunteer base and would assist our National Officer with tasks that rely heavily on volunteers."

"The Volunteer Coordinator would work with and report to a Board Liaison to support strategic initiatives and program development. This position would support National Office directly with operational tasks and management."

This is an unpaid position.

More information is available on the CALL website. 

Call for Nominations: Library Journal Movers & Shakers

You have until October 18, 2024 to nominate people for recognition as library world Movers & Shakers:

"The editors of Library Journal need your help in identifying emerging talents in the library world—both great leaders and behind-the-scenes contributors who are providing inspiration and model programs for others. Our 21st annual round of Movers & Shakers will profile up-and-coming individuals from around the world who are innovative, creative, and making a difference fighting against censorship, and helping improve their workplace. From librarians and non-degreed library workers to publishers, vendors, coders, entrepreneurs, reviewers, and others who impact the library field—Movers & Shakers 2024 will celebrate those people who are moving all types of libraries ahead!"

Most winners are from the USA (as befits an American publication) but there have been Canadians honoured before.

Here is the list for 2024.

University of Toronto Law Librarian Recognized as Member of the Month of International Law Section of the American Association of Law Libraries

Sooin Kim, Faculty Services Librarian at the Bora Laskin Law Library at the University of Toronto, has been recognized as Member of the Month of the Foreign, Comparative, and International Law Special Interest Section (FCIL-SIS) of the American Association of Law Libraries.

She was interviewed in DipLawMatic Dialogues, the blog of the FCIL-SIS:

"When did you develop an interest in foreign, comparative, and/or international law?

The Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto is comprised of professors whose research interests are inter-disciplinary and diverse. Many teach and write about various aspects of foreign, comparative and international law, and as the Faculty Services Librarian, I want to be able to support our professors with their research, scholarship, and teaching needs as competently as possible.

Also, as a Canadian law librarian, I enjoy getting to know librarians from various parts of the United States and the world by serving on committees and attending conferences.  I recently had the privilege of going to the 2024 IALL course in beautiful Oslo, Norway (during summer solstice!), and meeting amazing library professionals from all over the world."

Kim is also a valued member of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries.

Recent Government of Canada Publications from the Weekly Acquisitions List

The Government of Canada's Weekly Acquisitions List is a list of publications by various public bodies and agencies of the federal government that were catalogued in the previous week. 

Some of the documents in the most recent list include:

• Audit of Indigenous Intervention Centres (Correctional Service Canada): "The NIP [National Indigenous Plan] provides a national framework to transform Indigenous case management and corrections with an Indigenous first approach through enhancing various policies, operations and practices to better meet the needs of Indigenous offenders. The NIP includes streamlining existing Indigenous resources and services to ensure that Indigenous offenders have earlier access to parole and Indigenous interventions. Key components of the NIP include: Indigenous Intervention Centres, (...) enhanced case management, Elder and liaison services, section 84/81 enhancement, Offender’s Security Level reviews, and reintegration."
• Audit of Sentence Management (Correctional Service Canada): "CSC [Correctional Service Canada] is responsible for reviewing and analyzing court-imposed sentences in order to prepare a timeline for each offender that includes all sentences. This timeline takes into account any additional impact resulting from decisions made by the courts or the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) throughout the offender’s sentence. The interpretation and application of the legal provisions are less complex when the offender is serving a single sentence. However, many offenders receive multiple sentences, which may be imposed at different times, as a result of multiple convictions. Offenders convicted of multiple offences may be required by the court to serve consecutive sentences, concurrent sentences, or a combination of the two, making the sentence timeline more complex to calculate. It is therefore important for CSC to have an effective management framework and a system of controls in place to ensure that each admission or release of an offender is in compliance with current and historical legislation."
• Legal Aid in Canada 2022-2023 (Justice Canada): "While policy development related to criminal legal aid is a shared federal/provincial/territorial responsibility, each province and territory is responsible for the delivery of legal aid services based on their own policies and procedures. This report provides national level statistics on revenues, expenditures, personnel, and caseloads from legal aid service providers across Canada. Justice Canada has produced the Legal Aid in Canada report since 2016-17, and this is the seventh annual edition. This year’s report includes data from the 2022-23 fiscal year, as well as trend data from the past five years."