2026 Electronic Resources Minnesota (ERMN) Conference

The Electronic Resources Minnesota (ERMN) Conference will be held virtually the afternoon of February 11, 2026. The conference will take place through Zoom.

Conference Description

ERMN is a regional conference that provides opportunities for those who acquire and manage e-resources to network, share best practices, participate in workshops, and learn from fellow e-resources staff.

Minitex is the organizer of this conference in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Libraries. If you have questions, please contact the organizing committee at ermn@umn.edu.

Registration

Registration will open in early 2026. The conference is FREE!

Schedule

1:30-1:40pm CST: Welcome & opening remarks – ERMN Conference Planning Committee

1:40-2:30pm CST: From A to C: Accessibility language in licenses

• Sunshine Carter, Director of Collection Strategy & eResource Management, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Learn about the University of Minnesota Libraries approach to navigating accessibility language in e-resource agreements. The presenter will address past and current approaches to licensing, along with successes and failures along the way.

2:30-3:00pm CST: Timely topics (TBD)

We’ll have a few breakout rooms to chat about current e-resource topics. Suggestions for topics can be emailed to ermn@umn.edu.

3:00-3:50pm CST: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in library work

This lightning round session will feature speakers who are using artificial intelligence to perform or assist with library work.

• AI for transcription in digital collections
  • Ninh Tran, Web and Applications Developer, Minitex
• Practical scenarios for cataloging with AI
  • Bobby Bothmann, Catalog & Metadata Librarian, Minnesota State University Mankato
• Using Google Gemini Gems to help identify risk and necessary changes in e-resource licenses
  • Sunshine Carter, Director of Collection Strategy & eResource Management, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
• AI, accessibility, and course materials
  • Shane Nackerud, Director, Affordable Learning and Open Education, University of Minnesota Libraries
• CoPiloting your way to better database descriptions
  • Dejah Rubel, Professor, Metadata and Electronic Resources Management Librarian, Ferris State University
• Using A-Z List features to communicate AI tool availability in e-resources
  • Ruth Light, Electronic Resources Access Administrator, Indiana University Libraries

3:50-4:00pm CST: Closing remarks – ERMN Conference Planning Committee
 

Planning Committee

• Greg Argo, Minitex
• Sunshine Carter, University of Minnesota Libraries
• Jessica Gilbert Redman, University of North Dakota
• Anne Hatinen, Minitex
• Christina Koss, Concordia University
• Pat Lienemann, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Code of Conduct

ERMN attendees are required to abide by the University of Minnesota Code of Conduct. ERMN seeks a variety of opinions, voices, and perspectives at our conference. We encourage participation from people of all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, abilities, religions, and sexual orientation. We strive to create an inclusive and respectful conference experience, inviting diverse perspectives and opinions.