[IRTalk] International Symposium on Robotics and AI in Libraries 8-10 June, 2020, University of Pretoria, South Africa - In collaboration with IFLA IT Section

[Gallant Matizirofa]

The first conference on Robotics in Libraries: Challenge and Opportunity
was held at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau, Berlin in
August 2019. Following the successful program and participants’ call for a
follow-up event, we are organizing this International Symposium on Robotics
and AI in Libraries, 8-10 June, 2020 at University of Pretoria, South
Africa.



The rapid development in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI)
technologies are making in-roads into libraries and information services.
Beyond automated storage and retrieval systems, we now have autonomous
shelf reading robots, telepresence and humanoid robots, and chatbots and
voice activated systems. Robots are becoming our co-workers and a number of
libraries around the world have deployed different robots for internal
operations as well as public services. This combination of skilled human
resources and robotics technologies also complements library services in
the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR or Industry 4.0) era and in smart and
connected communities.

The University of Pretoria (UP), South Africa, is hosting the event at its
new Future Africa campus (https://www.up.ac.za/future-africa). The
University of Pretoria Department of Library Services “employed” Libby, the
first client service robot known to be in use in any university library in
Africa. Robotics and AI are also growing fields in many African countries,
and this Symposium is a timely event to showcase and increase awareness of
developments and realize the potential and challenges for libraries.
See link below for call for papers:  https://www.up.ac.za/robotics_ai2020


Lazarus Matizirofa
Deputy Director: Scholarly Communication, Digital Systems & Services

Tel:      +27 (0)12 420 2021, Fax: +27 (0)12 362 5182
<+27%2012%20362%205182>
Email:  lazarus.matizirofa at up.ac.za
Web:    www.up.ac.za

*Department of Library Services*
Room 4-26, Level 4, Merensky 2 Library
University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20
Hatfield 0028, South Africa

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Please refer to 
http://upnet.up.ac.za/services/it/documentation/docs/004167.pdf 
<http://upnet.up.ac.za/services/it/documentation/docs/004167.pdf> for
full 
details.
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