Library Technology Guides

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Executive Perspectives: A Conversation on the Future of the Library Technology Industry

Program sponsored by CORE: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures — Sponsored by CORE

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.

Breeding will give a brief introduction and will then lead a lively discussion exploring the topic: Are Library Systems ready for the age of Generative AI? Generative AI has taken the business and consumer world by storm, and has advancing rapidly into the educational sector. Chatbots and search services powered by Generative AI have become commonplace. In the context of this widespread trend, library management systems, discovery services, and other strategic applications are just beginning to incorporate artificial intelligence capabilities. Is this cautious approach warranted, or should developers of library technology systems take a more aggressive path?

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

Hashtag: #alaexecpanel

Day Date Time Location

Saturday June 29, 2024 1:00pm – 2:00pm Location: San Diego Convention Center, Room 28 A B C

Panelists

Tom Jacobson
Vice President, Executive Library Advocate and Strategist
Innovative and Ex Libris, Part of Clarivate
After more than 40 years working with libraries, Tom is well-suited to advise all operations of our organization on the unique needs and opportunities for libraries and their patrons. His experience includes 25 years with Innovative, 2 years as a consultant for OCLC, and running his own consultancy, where he and his partners helped libraries operate and grow with a patron focus. He’s proficient in the best practices of ILS/LSP procurement, library workflows and operations, resource sharing and discovery technologies, and library market sizing and analysis. Tom holds a B.A. in International Relations from American University and an M.L.I.S. from the University of Maryland.

Nathan A. Curulla
Co-Owner and Chief Revenue Officer
ByWater Solutions Nate co-founded ByWater Solutions with Brendan A. Gallagher in 2009. Nathan has a degree in Business Management and Marketing, and has expert customer service and relationship development experience.
Mohamed Marwen Meddah
Senior Director of Engineering
BiblioCommons Mohamed Marwen Meddah is the Senior Director of Software Engineering for BiblioCommons. He joined the company in 2019 and has been instrumental in ensuring that the BiblioCommons enterprise suite of products is the leader in innovation, security, and functionality. With over 24 years of experience strategically defining, architecting, developing, and scaling web-based applications, Mohamed has a proven track record of helping customers and users solve real-world problems with more straightforward, efficient technology. Over the years, he has led high-performing engineering teams that are passionate about driving technological advancements and optimizing engineering processes to enhance product development.

Melissa Kulmer
Director of Pre-Sales Solutions
SirsiDynix Melissa Kulmer is the Director of Pre-Sales Solutions for SirsiDynix. Graduate of the University of Kentucky’s Library and Information Science program, where I spent time in both public and technical services positions at the William T. Young library prior to joining SirsiDynix in 2005. As a senior product manager at SirsiDynix, I worked with teams on the design and development of numerous applications for library users and staff. I worked in a similar role at a large software company in their Asset Lifecycle Intelligence division, working with the information management of engineering data in a plant's operating lifecycle, before returning to SirsiDynix in 2018 as Director of Pre-Sales .

Marshall Breeding
Independent Consultant
Creator and Publisher
Library Technology Guides. Marshall Breeding works as a consultant, journalist, and analyst of the library technology industry. He is the creator of Library Technology Guides and the libraries.org database of libraries. His Library Systems Report, published by American Libraries provides an annual assessment and overview of the industry. Breeding was the 2010 recipient of the LITA LITA/Library Hi Tech Award for Outstanding Communication for Continuing Education in Library and Information Science.

Day	Date	Time	Location
Saturday	June 29, 2024	1:00pm – 2:00pm	Location: San Diego Convention Center, Room 28 A B C

Panelists
Tom Jacobson Vice President, Executive Library Advocate and Strategist Innovative and Ex Libris, Part of Clarivate			After more than 40 years working with libraries, Tom is well-suited to advise all operations of our organization on the unique needs and opportunities for libraries and their patrons. His experience includes 25 years with Innovative, 2 years as a consultant for OCLC, and running his own consultancy, where he and his partners helped libraries operate and grow with a patron focus. He’s proficient in the best practices of ILS/LSP procurement, library workflows and operations, resource sharing and discovery technologies, and library market sizing and analysis. Tom holds a B.A. in International Relations from American University and an M.L.I.S. from the University of Maryland.
Nathan A. Curulla Co-Owner and Chief Revenue Officer ByWater Solutions			Nate co-founded ByWater Solutions with Brendan A. Gallagher in 2009. Nathan has a degree in Business Management and Marketing, and has expert customer service and relationship development experience.
Mohamed Marwen Meddah Senior Director of Engineering BiblioCommons			Mohamed Marwen Meddah is the Senior Director of Software Engineering for BiblioCommons. He joined the company in 2019 and has been instrumental in ensuring that the BiblioCommons enterprise suite of products is the leader in innovation, security, and functionality. With over 24 years of experience strategically defining, architecting, developing, and scaling web-based applications, Mohamed has a proven track record of helping customers and users solve real-world problems with more straightforward, efficient technology. Over the years, he has led high-performing engineering teams that are passionate about driving technological advancements and optimizing engineering processes to enhance product development.
Melissa Kulmer Director of Pre-Sales Solutions SirsiDynix			Melissa Kulmer is the Director of Pre-Sales Solutions for SirsiDynix. Graduate of the University of Kentucky’s Library and Information Science program, where I spent time in both public and technical services positions at the William T. Young library prior to joining SirsiDynix in 2005. As a senior product manager at SirsiDynix, I worked with teams on the design and development of numerous applications for library users and staff. I worked in a similar role at a large software company in their Asset Lifecycle Intelligence division, working with the information management of engineering data in a plant's operating lifecycle, before returning to SirsiDynix in 2018 as Director of Pre-Sales .
Marshall Breeding Independent Consultant Creator and Publisher Library Technology Guides.			Marshall Breeding works as a consultant, journalist, and analyst of the library technology industry. He is the creator of Library Technology Guides and the libraries.org database of libraries. His Library Systems Report, published by American Libraries provides an annual assessment and overview of the industry. Breeding was the 2010 recipient of the LITA LITA/Library Hi Tech Award for Outstanding Communication for Continuing Education in Library and Information Science.

Maintained by Marshall Breeding