JUNE 29, 2022 — This summer, UTSA Libraries will host the annual STEM Librarians South Conference from 12:30 to 5 p.m. on July 28 and from noon to 5 p.m. on July 29. The conference will feature a series of online presentations and will bring together information professionals and academics from across the United States to discuss current research, ideas, insights and best practices that advance STEM research and education.
“Libraries are an essential component to any scholarly enterprise,” said Dean Hendrix, UTSA vice provost and librarian. “This conference is about keeping research librarians current with the latest trends and best practices in the field. Collaboration and sharing are the hallmarks of successful libraries.”
Chris Packham, professor of Astrophysics in the UTSA Department of Physics and Astronomy will give the keynote address. He is one of a select group of astronomers awarded time on the James Webb Space Telescope. Packham will detail how the telescope will help astronomers unlock the secrets of the universe like no astronomical facility has done before.
“This conference helps us stay abreast of developments in STEM fields so that we’re better able to serve our universities.”
“When we chose the theme of ‘Learn and Explore,’ we were thinking about the fantastic work STEM librarians are undertaking around the world,” said UTSA Librarian Matt Hayward, who leads the conference’s host committee. “STEM librarians are at the forefront of assisting academics with research. This conference helps us stay abreast of developments in STEM fields so that we’re better able to serve our universities and their STEM disciplines. Dr. Packham’s keynote address is a direct result of the rapport our librarians have with his department and his trust and support for what we do.”
The conference offers two days of programming, including several, seven-minute lightning talks that will focus on key topics of the conference such as STEM librarianship, collections, data management, digital scholarship, information and data literacy, outreach, science education and research, and other services and programs libraries provide to support STEM disciplines.
UTSA Libraries hosted the first STEM Librarians South Conference in 2011.
“This conference has evolved and grown so much over the past 12 years,” said Hayward. “We’ve seen interest and registration grow, regionally, nationally, and internationally. Information professionals value the programming and resources this conference brings.”
Library professionals and related staff interested in attending can view the conference website and register here.
