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Staying Relevant in the Era of Budget Cuts and

Artificial Intelligence

Margaret A. Hoogland, MLS, AHIPa

aClinical Medical Librarian and Associate Professor, University Libraries, The
University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9932-3605 ,

margaret.hoogland@utoledo.edu

Back in the stone ages of the early 2000s, I attended a panel session on career paths.
At least once, each panelist found an occasion to state “I never learned that in library
school!” At that time, the panelists predicted a turnover in current library
administrators within 5 years. They also thought e-books would be the norm and that
Google or Google Scholar, at least in academic settings, would put our profession out of
business.

Fast forward to present day and career path panelists might say, “I never learned how
to do programming in library school.” Or, “It’s not possible to do my job because of
declining enrollment, budget cuts, etc.” My responses, when asked about my career or
getting through a murky time, fall into three categories: Stay Agile, Community
Connections, and Finding the Bright Spot.

Stay Agile

Take a moment to consider the development and launching of the electronic health
record (née electronic medical record) and the field of informatics. Both continue to
grow and change, but in time librarians potentially could work with other departments
to add connections to library resources in the electronic health record. Further,
respected researchers in our field are lecturers and – in some cases – directors of
informatics programs.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) could improve how we provide support and reduce
the labor-intensive aspects of some services1-4. Similarly, our field does acknowledge
that Google and Google Scholar are not going away. Depending on the setting, Google
Scholar could be the go-to information source for a busy health care provider or a
student on rotation5-6. As publishers and authors, it is important to keep up with
trends, especially when it comes to adjusting our requirements for citations, the data
availability statement, and use of AI within submissions7. So rather than viewing new
or emerging technologies as threats, perhaps consider more carefully current and
potential use of such products.

Community Connections

Tightening budgets, loss of personnel, and increasing responsibilities make it essential
to establish and maintain a rapport with the community you support. For many, this
translates into saying “yes” and spending time in meetings, which might not always
directly apply to our work. These meetings, however, do get your name and face out in

1

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9932-3605
https://www.orcid.org/
https://orcid.org/
mailto:margaret.hoogland@utoledo.edu


Hypothesis , Vol. 35, No. 2, 2023

the community and could result in a follow-up email, appointment, or a pre-meeting
instant message that leads to something more promising.

When people ask me to take on a new role, join a committee, or recommend me for
something, however, two questions come immediately to mind: What can I bring (e.g.,
prior experience, skills, etc.) to this role? What will this role give me or my
community? Having tenure gives me flexibility, but it also means increased
responsibilities within my own college. Recent conversations with colleagues have
helped me realize that developing community connections takes courage, frequently
hurts, and that it is almost never fun to say “no.” By thoughtfully considering these
questions and protecting my time by saying “no,” I meet deadlines, reduce the
possibility of burnout, and get the most out of projects. Employing such tactics also
opens the opportunity for me to provide better support within my community and to
assist my colleagues in the University Libraries.

Finding the Bright Spot

Regardless of how tough, murky, or impossible a situation may seem, surrendering is
the only unacceptable response. It is OK to get frustrated, angry, or even yell.
Temporarily retreating, strategizing, and then returning for round two of the discussion
or debate over the next steps also works. Such tactics provide clarity and improve our
ability to assess and to navigate or sometimes avoid future circumstances.

Hypothesis is a bright spot for me and each issue brings satisfaction and enjoyment.
The Editorial Team and I hope you enjoy reading the articles featured in this issue. If
you want to be in the loop about journal happenings and see the new issue table of
contents alerts in your inbox, consider registering as a reader.

Margaret A. Hoogland, MLS, AHIP, She, Her, Hers;

September 2023

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9932-3605

Email: margaret.hoogland@utoledo.edu

Acknowledgements

I thank our Editorial Team, peer reviewers, Kelly Thormodson, and Hypothesis Open
Fora attendees for carving out time to share your thoughts, ideas, time, and talents
with me.

References

1. Watkins E. AI and scholarly publishing - a (slightly) hopeful view. The Scholarly
Kitchen. 2023 May 10; 1–6. https://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2023/05/10/guest-
post-ai-and-scholarly-publishing-a-slightly-hopeful-view/

2

https://journals.iupui.edu/index.php/hypothesis/user/register
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9932-3605
mailto:margaret.hoogland@utoledo.edu
https://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2023/05/10/guest-post-ai-and-scholarly-publishing-a-slightly-hopeful-view/ 
https://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2023/05/10/guest-post-ai-and-scholarly-publishing-a-slightly-hopeful-view/ 


Hypothesis , Vol. 35, No. 2, 2023

2. Klein N. AI machines aren’t “hallucinating.” But their makers are. The Guardian.
2023 May 8;1–3. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/may/08/ai-
machines-hallucinating-naomi-klein

3. Abbasgholizadeh RS, Légaré F, Sharma G, Archambault P, Zomahoun HTV,
Chandavong S, et al. Application of Artificial Intelligence in Community-Based
Primary Health Care: Systematic Scoping Review and Critical Appraisal. J Med
Internet Res. 2021;23(9):e29839. doi:10.2196/29839

4. Alkaissi H, McFarlane SI. Artificial Hallucinations in ChatGPT: Implications in
Scientific Writing. Cureus. 2023;10.7759/cureus.35179. doi:10.7759/cureus.35179

5. Eldredge JD, Hall LJ, McElfresh KR, Warner TD, Stromberg TL, Trost J, et al.
Rural providers’ access to online resources: a randomized controlled trial. J Med Libr
Assoc. 2016;104(1):33-41. doi:10.3163/1536-5050.104.1.005

6. Duong D. Time to embrace Dr. Google? CMAJ. 2021 Apr 19;193(16):E571–2.

7. Lacey Bryant S, Bridgen R, Hopkins E, McLaren C, Stewart D. NHS knowledge and
library services in England in the digital age. Health Info Libraries J.
2022;39(4):385-91. doi:10.1111/hir.12457

3

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/may/08/ai-machines-hallucinating-naomi-klein 
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/may/08/ai-machines-hallucinating-naomi-klein 

