On June 25, 2026, IU School of Medicine's Ruth Lilly Medical Library partnered with other Indiana University Libraries and the Indiana Health Sciences Libraries Association (IHSLA) to host the annual Indiana Health Sciences Librarians Summit. This year’s event, held at the new Medical Education and Research Building (MERB) on the IU Indianapolis campus, brought together 40 attendees from 23 institutions across three states—including library faculty, staff, and MLIS students—for a day of professional development and networking.
Exploring the Future of AI
The summit’s theme leaned heavily into the evolving landscape of technology, starting with a keynote from Dr. Tony Shanks titled "AI in Medical Education: Pedagogy, Practice, Pitfalls". Dr. Shanks provided a framework for librarians to navigate the intersection of generative tools and health sciences, highlighting evidence-based examples of how Large Language Models (LLMs) are currently being used in clinical environments.
The focus on AI continued with a hands-on workshop, "Semantic Shift: AI Tools for Literature Searching," led by Molly Montgomery and Julia Stumpff. Attendees explored the differences between traditional keyword searching and semantic AI tools, practicing prompt engineering and testing platforms like Google Scholar Labs and Semantic Scholar.
Focusing on Community and Health Equity
Beyond technology, the summit addressed critical social issues. A panel on the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) featured Dr. Mike Usher, Cecelia Perkins-Vetter, and Tiffany Grant. The session explored the library’s role in addressing health disparities through systemic lenses, grassroots engagement, and initiatives like Project ECHO.
The afternoon also offered specialized sessions, including a presentation on the Indiana Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) by Dr. Matt Allen and an informal discussion group for hospital librarians to discuss current trends and issues impacting their work.
Networking and Looking Ahead
The day concluded with an IHSLA Business Meeting, giving members a chance to shape the future of the association, followed by a lively networking session featuring popcorn and button-making. For those interested in innovative library spaces, the event ended with a guided tour of the building and the RLML Makerspace, showcasing 3D printers and other tools used in medical education.
If you couldn't join us this year, you can still catch up! Presentation slides have been uploaded to the Indiana Health Sciences Summit collection in ScholarWorks.
