During the second week of the program, I had the opportunity to participate in sessions focusing on topics ranging from human-centered design to metadata, artificial intelligence, community engagement, and intellectual freedom. These experiences broadened my understanding of how libraries can be spaces of innovation, inclusion, and ethical responsibility in today’s world
? Human-Centered Design: Beyond Aesthetics
This visit was one of the most important for me because with this methodology the services in Libraries in Costa Rica, can change to be better. This methodology introduced us to collaborative and flexible environments such as media studios, makerspeces, and specialized labs. What stood out most was the intentional design of these spaces, in which everything is mobile, adaptable, and designed based on people needs.
We explored the Human-Centered Design process, composed of five key stages:
– Understand: Listening actively, building empathy, and connecting with users.
– Synthesize: Analyzing insights as a team.
– Ideate: Generating creative and bold solutions.
– Prototype: Developing testable models that respond to real needs.
– Implement: Bringing the service to life through active community involvement.
This approach reminded me that designing library services isn’t about giving answers, but rather about asking better questions, such as: What do users feel and think? And Whom should we include in our conversations beyond experts?
? Metadata, Cataloging, and AI in Libraries
In the session led by Professor MJ Han, we reflected on how metadata transforms raw data into meaningful knowledge. A data point becomes useful only when it is described, classified, and contextualized. We explored tools like Annif and API services, while also discussing the limitations of AI:
– Some machine-generated data are inaccurate or not usable.
– Human review and comparison remain essential.
– Creating records with and without AI revealed key differences and learning opportunities.
We also addressed ethical concerns: How can we ensure AI is ethical and transparent? How do we avoid replacing critical human thinking? These are pressing questions for any educational or information institution.
? Information Behavior, Leadership, and Change
Another important theme for me was information behavior, how people use information to make everyday decisions. In this context, libraries are not just repositories, there are agents of transformation. In this way, in the session we explored how libraries can builds resilience in the face of change. Also, the importance of collaborative repositories for communities. The need to reflect ethically on technology, access, and inclusion.
? Community Engagement and Cultural Insight
One of the most inspiring visits for me was the Chicago Public Library, where students log in every time they visit to track ther reading habits, access education tools, participate in cosplay workshops, and for recreation. There you can find a noisy library in which the users are playing video games, making music, and another kind of activities. Here it is when we say that the library is for everyone and everything. Their YOUmedia program offers music labs, storytime in multiple languages, and homework help—often led by professional educators and available online.