Attending the ALA Annual Conference in Philadelphia? Consider attending Executive Perspectives: A Conversation on the Future of the Library Technology Industry.

Marshall Breeding, author of the annual Library Systems Report published in American Libraries, will assemble and moderate a panel of senior executives representing organizations that produce software or services for libraries.

Panelists this year include:

• Lisa Carlucci, Executive Director Equinox Open Library Initiative
• Tom Jacobson, Vice President, Executive Library Advocate and Strategist Innovative and Ex Libris, Part of Clarivate
• John McCullough, Director, Academic Library Management Services OCLC
• Maria Wasing, President and Chief Executive Officer Axiell

The event is sponsored by CORE, a division of the American Library Association, and will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025 from 2:30-3:30pm in the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 108.

Breeding will give a brief introduction and will then lead a lively discussion exploring the topic: Libraries under duress: Can new technologies help libraries thrive in challenging times?In the last year libraries have seen incredible challenges, both in funding and through potential restrictions on the ways they manage and provide access to materials. Massive cutbacks in federal research funding particularly impacts academic libraries. Public and school libraries face more scrutiny than ever regarding access to controversial materials. We are in a phase of rapid change in technology, with generative AI and other tools poised to enter the library world in a big way. Can libraries count on their technology providers to help them survive and even thrive through these challenging times. Come hear the views of company executives on the potential of AI and other new technologies to help libraries through these difficult times.

Panelists will be expected to candidly reflect the perspectives of their organizations, but not promote their products.