Libraries, Artificial Intelligence, and Civic Engagement

Femi comes to ULC with extensive experience in weaving together leading-edge spatial science and policy design for the purpose of helping places and locations serve their residents and users better. Femi has a demonstrated history of developing and managing Location Intelligence systems in the private sector, and in government administration and city management.

Mila Gasco-Hernandez holds a MBA and a Ph. D. in public policy evaluation. She is the Research Director at the Center for Technology in Government as well as an Associate Professor at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, both at the University at Albany – SUNY. Before joining SUNY, Dr. Gasco-Hernandez served as a senior researcher at the Institute of Governance and Public Management (currently known as ESADEgov - Center for Public Governance) and the Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Management, both at ESADE Business & Law School in Spain. The main general research question at the center of Dr. Gasco-Hernandez’s research agenda is: why and how does technology-driven innovation happen in the public sector? Most of her research in the last six years has focused on the topics of open government, public sector innovation, smart cities and communities, telework, and artificial intelligence in government. In these areas, she has published six books, more than 45 peer-reviewed articles, 18 peer-reviewed book chapters, and more than 55 peer-reviewed conference papers. 

Ramon Gil-Garcia is a Professor of Public Administration and Policy and the Director of the Center for Technology in Government, University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY). In 2009, Dr. Gil-Garcia was considered the most prolific author in the field of digital government research worldwide and in 2018 and 2019 was named “One of the World’s 100 Most Influential People in Digital Government” by Apolitical, a nonprofit organization from the United Kingdom. More recently, in 2021, Dr. Gil-Garcia was one of the recipients of the two inaugural Digital Government Society (DGS) Fellows Awards, which recognize “distinguished scholarly achievements and sustained accomplishments and contributions to the research or practice of digital government as a field of study.” Currently, Dr. Gil-Garcia is also a professor of the Business School at Universidad de las Américas Puebla in Mexico and an Affiliated Faculty member of the Information Science Doctorate Program at the College of Emergency Management, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, University at Albany.

Bill Goldband serves as the Vice President of the Information Technology Department (ITD) at the Queens Public Library (QPL). In this role, he oversees the library's information systems, technological infrastructure (hardware and software), application development, network configuration, security initiatives, helpdesk support, mobile and desktop devices. His responsibilities include managing IT operations, supporting digital services, and driving technological advancements to enhance library services for the Staff and Library Patrons.  

Chris Markman is the Digital Services Manager at Palo Alto City Library and has been a key player in their award-winning technology team since 2017. He has over 20 years of experience in the field and has published and presented extensively on topics like cybersecurity, digital literacy, and emerging tech. He holds an MSIT degree from Clark University and an MLIS from Simmons University.