Digital Immortality may be closer than we think. Many aspects of our lives already exist online. Advances in software and technology may soon allow not just our memories but personalities to exist online forever. I am truly stunned by the fast pace at which we are accumulating personal information online. Thus far all that data is in many locations and when we die most people don’t have any idea what will happen with that information. As information professionals, we have the knowledge and skills for building an ethical, open and diverse digital legacy library…for those that choose that. My presentation is meant as a starting point for this topic and I highly recommend following up on my resources if you want more information. In the interest of time and focus, I did not include some of the more truly futuristic goals of digital immortality and trans-humanism.

Danielle Meininger: I live and work in the Portland, Oregon metro area as a youth services reference assistant. I am passionate about serving patrons with a high level of knowledge and detail and making each interaction a positive experience. I love the ways that libraries are evolving their collections, programs and spaces to meet patrons needs and I look forward to being part of that future. My hobbies include reading an alternating mix of YA dystopian novels and new non-fiction, listening to podcasts, hanging out with my husband and kids and researching my families’ genealogy. I would probably choose digital immortality.