A proposal for Amazon’s Alexa support in library mentorship

Abstract

Emerging digital technologies are altering the way humans interact and perform routine tasks in institutions that have embraced them through product and service delivery. By adopting these new applications, academic libraries continue to be forerunners of information preservation and access in a digital world. Intelligent personal assistants (IPAs), such as Amazon’s Alexa, are offering innovative reference services to clients. These IPAs with their voice user interface are also establishing a foothold in higher education curricula. The authors of this poster believe that beyond this lies more creative ways to utilize these devices. With the support of Information Technology personnel, the authors propose the use of Alexa in the work of mentorship. In a survey undertaken at The Alma Jordan Library, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago, most library professionals expressed a desire for mentorship support in research and publishing. The poster will visually highlight how Alexa can provide this kind of support at The Alma Jordan Library. This novel application of Amazon’s Alexa would contribute to Caribbean libraries’ dialogue for change in staff mentorship.