Welcome to LJAN Resources, our monthly academic content roundup. We’ll be curating standout InfoDocket posts and nonfiction LJ book reviews once every month for quick access to news and reviews you can use. | From Infodocket: New Research Tool: “Know More About AI Policy: Introducing AGORA” From the Emerging Technology Observatory (ETO) (a project of the Center for Security and Emerging Technology at Georgetown University): January 11 marks the official release of AGORA (AI GOvernance and Regulatory Archive), ETO’s latest tool. Previously in beta, AGORA is a living collection of AI-relevant laws, regulations, standards, and other governance documents from the United States and around the world. Plain-English summaries, thematic tags, and a variety of filters help you quickly discover and analyze key developments in AI governance. | SPONSORED BY EX LIBRIS, PART OF CLARIVATE Supporting Academic Excellence in the Library This comprehensive guide explores how leading libraries worldwide leverage technology to enhance student engagement, streamline operations, and support academic excellence in the library. These libraries, large and small, are prepped to handle and embrace innovations without losing sight of their core mission. Download the whitepaper>>> | PLOS Receives $3.3M Grant to Support Open Access Publishing and Business Model Transformation PLOS has been awarded a $3.3 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, underscoring its commitment to pioneer a shift away from traditional publishing models. The three-year funding package from the Gates Foundation will support PLOS’s transition towards APC-free publishing by enabling authors, funded by the foundation, to publish with PLOS without facing APC barriers, and to contribute to open access publishing options for authors who do not have access to funding. | National Archives to Award $2.4 Million For Historical Records Projects The National Archives has approved $2,434,000 in awards for 30 historical records projects in 21 states, American Samoa, and the District of Columbia. The National Archives grants program is carried out with the advice and recommendations of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). | Journal Article: “Library Professionals: Instrumental in Black Digital Humanities” The article linked to below was recently published by DHQ (Digital Humanities Quarterly). From the abstract: Librarians and archivists, particularly those whose work focuses on resources pertaining to the Black diaspora, play a vital role in the field of Black digital humanities. Yet, all too often they are left out of conversations surrounding the Black digital humanities. This is a missed opportunity. | PRO MEDIA PREMIUM The Kind Librarian: Cultivating a Culture of Kindness and Wellbeing in Libraries By Helen Rimmer Rimmer’s helpful and timely work is an important tool for understanding the power of kindness in daily interactions. A recommended purchase for any professional development collection. Simple Book Repair Techniques By Donia Conn With detailed instructions, up-close photographs, and easy-to-understand illustrations, this volume will be especially welcome in public or special collections libraries. Best suited for librarians, book dealers, and ambitious collectors. | HISTORY PREMIUM The First and Last King of Haiti: The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe By Marlene L. Daut Many details of Christophe’s life remain murky, but Daut’s research is outstanding. She has unearthed new sources in Caribbean and European archives, and she weighs all evidence carefully and reaches judicious conclusions. This book’s depth of detail may daunt general audiences, but it is a must-read for scholars. PREMIUM The Waiting Game: The Untold Story of the Women Who Served the Tudor Queens By Nicola Clark Highly recommended for anyone interested in fresh perspectives on Tudor England. PREMIUM Land Power: Who Has It, Who Doesn’t, and How That Determines the Fate of Societies By Michael Albertus Albertus, who advocates progressive values, has written a book that will be of interest to readers interested in how liberal goals can be achieved through land reform, as well as those interested in changes to land ownership in such places as South America, Australia, India, and Italy. | SPONSORED BY EBSCO Navigating AI’s Future: How Sci-Fi Predicted Today’s Knowledge Challenges Dr. Ashleigh Faith, MLIS, PhD from EBSCO dives into "Libraries of Future Past," exploring how science fiction predicted today’s AI challenges: navigating information overload, discerning truth, and ethical knowledge pursuits. While AI helps, humans—especially librarians— are crucial in organizing and helping unearth trustworthy information. Read more>>> | Authors Alliance: “Developing a Public-Interest Training Commons of Books” Authors Alliance is pleased to announce a new project, supported by the Mellon Foundation, to develop an actionable plan for a public-interest book training commons for artificial intelligence. Northeastern University Library will be supporting this project and helping to coordinate its progress. | Job Zone utilizes unique job matching technology to help you find the perfect job (and employers find the perfect candidate), whether you’re actively seeking or just keeping an eye out for your possibilities. Log on today and check out our newest features, including automated job and candidate matches, and email alerts. JOB OF THE WEEK UC San Diego is seeking an Assistant Program Director and Head of General Collections Metadata. | |