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14

Public Services
David Schmersal, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Secretary

MEMBERS PRESENT

• Patsy Yang, Gateway Seminary
• Alexander Justice, Loyola-Marymount University
• David Schmersal, Wright Learning and Information Center, 

Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

AGENDA

1. Welcome new members and briefly describe the nature and 
scope of the Interest Group

2. Debrief 2023 Atla annual conference, specifically the session 
sponsored by PSIG

3. Propose and discuss ideas for a session at the 2024 Atla Annual 
Conference
a. AI/ChatGPT and its potential and actual implications for 

theological schools and libraries

4. Creative ways to refresh orientation, e.g., a scavenger hunt

5. Check-in/round-robin
a. Anything new?

b. Something you are looking forward to

6. New officers?

YEAR IN REVIEW

Members of the PSIG planned and sponsored a session offered as a 
panel presentation at the 2023 Atla Annual Conference: The session 
was: “What About the Aqueduct? Or, Does decolonizing the library 
mean deaccessioning Augustine?” Presented by Yesan Sellan, Kris 
Veldheer, David Schmersal, and Daniel Smith.

There was also some discussion of our custodianship of Atla’s 
Websites on Religion Libguide: https://atla.libguides.com/WOR 

https://atla.libguides.com/WOR


Interest Group Reports  15

ROUND ROBIN REPORTS

Gateway Seminary – Patsy shared some staffing changes and their 
effect on workload.

Loyola-Marymount University – Alexander is new to the field of 
theological librarianship, taking a more specialized role at the uni-
versity where he has served as a reference librarian (and of which 
he is an alumnus).

OTHER

Our small group enjoyed a lively discussion on topics ranging from 
print vs. e-book selection to curriculum development to challenges 
we have seen our students facing. We also noted that the 2024 con-
ference will be much more convenient for the majority of those 
present, who are based in California. 


