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Mike Jones

@thatlibraryman.bsky.social
922 followers 523 following 89 posts

Academic librarian with interests in information literacy, library marketing and the impact of AI on the research process!

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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Thanks very much, really pleased you found it engaging. I'm happy to chat more about it if you have any questions or thoughts ☺️
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Really enjoyed speaking at the M25 Consortium event on academic library marketing earlier and dusting off my now decade old research and subsequent advice on social media (with a little help from Vanilla Ice) Also spoke about the power of getting out of the library and face to face marketing
PowerPoint slide with the heading "stop, collaborate & listen".

Bullet points underneath read:
Stop and ask why?
Collaborate with other departments 
Listen to what your users want 

On the right is a photo of rapper Vanilla Ice
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Congrats Darren, looks like an amazing day! 🎉
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Thanks once again to the @lilacconf.bsky.social team for a brilliant conference (even if other commitments meant I was only able to attend a third of it) and for giving me the opportunity to present my ideas.
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
A couple of weeks on from my trip to Sheffield to attend & present at #LILAC26 I've written some reflections on the themes I spotted across the sessions I attended. I also muse on how my talk on the TRYangle Approach fitted within these themes & what's next for it www.linkedin.com/pulse/musing...
linkedin.com
Musings from LILAC 2026 in Sheffield
At the end of March I had the pleasure of attending and presenting at LILAC 2026 in Sheffield. I was only able to attend for the first day of the conference but still had an incredibly enriching and r...
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
With my talk out the way early I was able to enjoy an enriching day of talks. Some inspiring, some thought provoking, and some genuinely moving. Gutted that I can't stay for the rest of the conference and only got to say fleeting hellos to friends from previous years but duty calls in Southampton!
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Superb day at @lilacconf.bsky.social Really happy with how my presentation, Introducing the TRYangle Approach, went. Very grateful to everyone who came to listen and especially to those who asked questions, spoke to me afterwards and caught up with me throughout the day. #LILAC26
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Thanks so much, really appreciate you coming along and reaching out ☺️
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
I love this! Thanks so much for coming along and recreating the TRYangle with such a wonderful drawing! The first time I showed it to students I saw one of them drawing it on her iPad and it made me very happy - this analogue version warms my heart equally ☺️
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Connection made at Birmingham (with a little more running than I would have preferred) but I'm seated on the York train and due to arrive in Sheffield in just over an hour! ☺️ #LILAC26
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Obligatory train selfie as I begin leg 1 of my journey to Sheffield for @lilacconf.bsky.social Very excited about speaking at the conference for the first time tomorrow morning! #LILAC26
Man with bear and glasses wearing headphones and a terracotta coloured sweatshirt sits on a train, half a smile on his face
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Now that the draft programme is out there, I guess it's ok for me to say that I'm really excited to be presenting at this year's @lilacconf.bsky.social in March. I'll be talking about the TRYangle Approach, the framework I've put together for evaluating information sources, fit for the AI age.
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
TRYangle is the name I've given to the new approach to evaluating information sources that I've been working on for a while and today I talked about it in public for the first time. I was supremely touched and enthused by the response. Hopefully you'll hear more about it soon!
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
This meant everything to me today. At the end of today's annual Southern University Libraries Conference attendees were asked for their most important takeaway using a Mentimeter word cloud. Central to the results & biggest of all was the word "tryangle"- let me explain why that's so special to me
Mentimeter word cloud displayed on a projection screen. The question at the top reads "what is your most important takeaway from today?" Underneath are a jumble of words but prominently in the middle is the word "tryangle"
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
Been a while since I've got an early morning train but off to Bournemouth today for the Southern University Libraries Networking Day at which I'm very excited (and a touch nervous) to be presenting something I've been working on for 2 years! Will be so nice to give it it's first public airing!
White and blue train sat at the station waiting to depart
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
A reminder that CILIP's Academic & Research Libraries Group (of which I'm secretary) are hosting our AGM next Weds including a talk from CILIP CEO @louiscoiffait-gunn.bsky.social & an opportunity to contribute to the CILIP strategy consultation. Register to attend using the link in the post below!
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
I've typed up my summary of the key themes and ideas I took away from last week's brilliant @uksg.bsky.social Conference: Notes from the UKSG Conference 2025 in Brighton www.linkedin.com/pulse/notes-... #UKSG2025
linkedin.com
Notes from the UKSG Conference 2025 in Brighton
From 31st March to 2nd April, I had the delight of attending the UKSG Conference in Brighton. It was my first time attending this event and I was really impressed by how well organised it was and the ...
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
I was very glad of the short train ride along the coast to Southampton - hope your journey isn't too much longer and you get to have a chilled evening I think it was more stupidity than stamina 🤣 Was lovely to meet you too, thanks again for being so welcoming
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Home, unpacked and snuggling on the sofa with the kiddo after a fantastic 3 days in Brighton for #UKSG2025 So many ideas and learning to unpack but that can wait until tomorrow. For now I just want to say a huge thank you to the organisers and speakers who made it such a great event.
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Also brilliant panel on neurodiversty and how we can all work in a more compassionate way to ensure inclusivity for all is embedded into all we do and we don't put the additional burden on ND students and colleagues. Now it's party time! #UKSG2025
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Another really interesting day at #UKSG2025 As someone whose role mainly focuses on student support and info lit skills I'm loving learning more about the publishing debates, with a couple of fascinating panels on the alternatives to the journal establishment.
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
For now though I'm relaxing my mind and tucking into a delicious burger and refreshing beer from Honest Burgers, then thinking about heading to the cinema!
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Really interesting and thought provoking first day at #UKSG2025 One thing that's clear, 2 years into the GenAI boom there is no consensus on the answers for libraries, guidance and governance...in fact some of the answers offered today I fundamentally disagreed with 🤣 The debate rages on!
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
The journey begins, Woolston-Brighton. See you soon #UKSG2025
A train pulls into a station backlit by a low sun
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
Suitcase is packed. Very excited to being making the journey eastward along the south coast to Brighton for #UKSG2025 in the morning!
Suitcase adorned with pictures of campervan sat on a bed
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
I was just going to pop onto here to recommend Abi Elphinstone, my 9yo daughter just read the first Ember Spark novel and is obsessed with it - even dressed up as her for World Book Day.
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
This is really useful, thank you! I'm heading to UKSG and would love to be added if possible - thanks!
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Brilliant, thank you!
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Do you have a link to this "research" - sounds like it would be a useful example to show how funding can impact the bias of research outcomes
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
media.tenor.com
a man is sitting at a table with his arms crossed and looking at the camera .
ALT: a man is sitting at a table with his arms crossed and looking at the camera .
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Just this week I've had 2 examples (one in work, one in a volunteering role) where people have presented info that proved to be inaccurate & which after investigation, was found to be because of GenAI tool use. The additional labour caused was unnecessary & could have had further implications
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
The outcomes of this research are really interesting. The % of inaccurate results from GenAI search tools makes them plain useless...but the ease with which people can search for & find info makes them too tempting for a lot of people. AI literacy is so important! www.cjr.org/tow_center/w...
cjr.org
AI Search Has A Citation Problem
We Compared Eight AI Search Engines. They’re All Bad at Citing News.
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
Thanks Andrew! Congratulations on your own looming milestone! 🥂
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
Today is my 20 year anniversary of working in libraries! It's got me in a reflective mood and so I've written a little something about my librarianship journey so far and what I see as my plans for the next 20 years! www.linkedin.com/pulse/reflec...
linkedin.com
Reflecting on 20 years in librarianship and looking to the next 20!
To borrow a phrase from the greatest band of all-time, ”it was twenty years ago today…”, however in this instance Sgt Pepper had no involvement in teaching any band to play. Instead, a 25 year old, sl...
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Reposted by Mike Jones
CILIP Academic and Research Libraries Group @cilip-arlg.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
We are currently firming up our AGM plans. Watch this space for date/time. We'd love to see you there!
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Reposted by Mike Jones
CILIP Academic and Research Libraries Group @cilip-arlg.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Day tickets are now available for DARTs conference 21-22/5/25 The main theme is "Empowering Librarians to conduct and support research". For more details go to: www.cilip.org.uk/events/Event... Questions? Please email arlgdarts@gmail.com
cilip.org.uk
CILIP: the library and information association
The 9th CILIP ARLG DARTS Conference will be held at Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren, on 21st – 22nd May 2025, with a conference theme of empowering Librarians to conduct and support research. Full details about this and past DARTS conferences can be accessed via our website.
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
The CILIP Academic & Research Libraries Group (of which I'm secretary) are now on here. Please give us a follow and get in touch if you'd be interested in getting involved in joining us and helping put on events! @cilip-arlg.bsky.social
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
Thanks for the response. Like Perplexity, your tool correctly identified a cinema in Southampton but gave incorrect screening times - it said 6 & 6:50 when in reality they are 12:10 & 8:40. Also thought that the top result in the "what are people saying" is an interesting response to the prompt! 😯
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
If it can't handle something this simple, how are we meant to trust it with anything? Their own definition of what an answer engine is says it prevents the need for sifting through links, but then suggest you should as it isn't guaranteed to be accurate! 4/4
Screenshot of Perplexity FAQ section. The text reads:

"What is an answer engine, and how does Perplexity work as one?

An answer engine is a tool designed to give you direct, detailed answers to your questions. Perplexity serves as an answer engine by searching the web, identifying trusted sources, and synthesizing information into clear, up-to-date responses. Unlike traditional search engines, which make you sift through a list of links, Perplexity delivers the insights you’re looking for in one place. While we aim for accuracy, we encourage you to double-check sources for added confidence."
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
It then goes on to give me times of 2:10pm and 5:20pm for screenings. The latter of these would be perfect so I click through to the Picturehouse website...where I find that actually the screening times are 1:45pm and 7pm - absolutely useless information! 🤬 3/4
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
The response starts strongly, identifying Harbour Lights Picturehouse as a cinema in Southampton and giving me its location - great! Then it begins the next paragraph with "For tonight, Monday, February 4, 2025..." - Today is TUESDAY 4th! 🤦 - very worrying if it can't even get the day right! 2/4
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
I've started running some "play with AI" sessions for library colleagues and am prepping the next one looking at the idea of "answer engines" and playing with Perplexity. As they're billed as an alternative to traditional search engines I thought I'd ask it something I would usually Google... 1/4
Screenshot of Perplexity. The prompt asks "where can I watch The Brutalist tonight in Southampton". 

The generated response reads:
"You can watch "The Brutalist" tonight at the Harbour Lights Picturehouse in Southampton. The cinema is located at Ocean Village, Southampton, SO14 3TL2.

For tonight, Monday, February 4, 2025, there are two screenings of "The Brutalist" at Harbour Lights Picturehouse:
14:10 (2:10 PM)
17:20 (5:20 PM)
It's worth noting that "The Brutalist" has been nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture18. The film is directed by Brady Corbet and stars Adrien Brody as László Toth, a visionary architect who escapes post-war Europe in 1947 to rebuild his life in America."
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Really interesting & brilliantly titled article about postgrad research students use & opinions of GenAI. A more balanced outcome than a lot of the discourse around AI, especially when I heard an academic proclaim that the written assignment is dead last week!🤦 www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
‘A rather stupid but always available brainstorming partner’: Use and understanding of Generative AI by UK postgraduate researchers
Research into the increased use of Generative AI in Higher Education has largely focused on undergraduate study. While many institutions are grappling with the implications for doctoral level, ther...
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Made a start last night with Emilia Perez and...struggled. Really wanted to be able to support a film about the trans experience but it just didn't feel authentic, poorly written with a predictable plot & the musical element was completely wasted (awful songs & performances). Really disappointing
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
With the #Oscars noms announced yesterday I got to work on my annual spreadsheet of tracking what films from the categories I had and hadn't seen in an attempt to watch as many of the nominated films before the ceremony. I've got 24 to watch in the next 5 weeks to tick off all feature length awards!
Spreadsheet of all Oscar categories and the films nominated within them. Those I have already seen are highlighted in greenSpreadsheet of films nominated for Oscars which I haven't seen yet. There is a colour coded priority system. Top priorities are The Brutalist, Emilia Perez, Sing Sing, The Apprentice, Anora, I'm Still Here and Nickel Boys
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
Thanks very much. I'll be heading down on the Monday morning as I'm only in Southampton so won't make the event on the Sunday night but I have marked that I'm a first-timer on my sign-up form. See you all there!
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
Have booked my place to attend the @uksg.bsky.social conference in March! Not attended this conference before so looking forward to it, the programme certainly looks very interesting. Plus, always a delight to spend a few days in Brighton! Anyone else I know on here attending?
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
Exactly! I clicked on this article thinking "great, finally some research that backs up my position as a librarian and the importance of AI Literacy training" - which the results show. But then to take that and twist it to be "wind your neck in librarians, you're putting people off AI" is maddening!
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
They claim that the issue isn't ethics or capability but that knowing too much removes the "magic" of using AI - yes, because most of these tools are surface level gimmicks and once you delve below the surface you realise how ineffectual they are! To me this is why AI Literacy is so important!
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Mike Jones @thatlibraryman.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
Research finds that people with a higher level of AI Literacy are less likely to use AI tools. So obviously the recommendation of the article is that we need to scale back AI Literacy training! 🤦 No, no, no, no, NO! theconversation.com/knowing-less...
theconversation.com
Knowing less about AI makes people more open to having it in their lives – new research
People with less AI literacy often see the technology as ‘magical’ and awe-inspiring.
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