Libraries were not among the earliest adopters of artificial intelligence (AI), but more are increasingly using the technology in various ways. Librarians have found it can improve people’s experience and make their jobs a bit easier. What changes has AI made so far?
1. Streamlining Librarians’ Workflows
Some institutions quickly provided resources explaining how library professionals and others could use artificial intelligence. Northwestern University offers a
Elsewhere, an Iowa school district complied with recently enacted state laws about banned books using AI to determine which titles to pull. Officials removed
AI tools
2. Improving Interactivity for Visitors
Some libraries also use AI to enhance the visitor experience and make it more interactive. Singapore’s Central Public Library has an Immersive Room where people
China’s Changning Library has capitalized on interactivity, too. A human avatar equipped with a recommendation algorithm scans people’s library cards or faces to get their reading histories and suggest relevant titles. Robots then deliver those books to patrons. The library introduced these AI features in the autumn of 2022.
Between then and August 2023, library visitors have
3. Providing Librarians With Opportunities to Teach Critical Thinking
Although artificial intelligence can do some incredible things, it’s not perfect. Generative AI tools
The information sounds accurate, but this problem can become dangerous when people don’t know better. Librarians are well-positioned to help them recognize and work with AI’s shortcomings.
With its nearly century-long history, Sharjah Library is the United Arab Emirates’ oldest. It harnessed digital technologies in 2020 by offering all its online resources to the public. The collection includes 5 million academic titles, 160,000 e-books and 30,000 videos. That digital transition
Library director Eman Bushulaibi believes that although AI and other technologies have brought changes, libraries will always have value as locations for exchanging and gaining knowledge. Bushulaibi and her staff create safe spaces where people can use and develop tools to think critically about the information they come across.
4. Exploring the Technology’s Future Role in Libraries
Most career paths require professionals to adapt. Those working in libraries have recently experienced that as AI tools became more accessible. Technology
A University of Texas at Austin program aims to reduce the learning curve. The grant-backed initiative will train
This effort came about due to feedback from librarians and library science students getting assistance from tech experts. They said those with technical know-how often lacked the experience and knowledge of working in libraries.
This three-year program will put those with AI and data science backgrounds in public, academic, and school libraries to give them much-needed perspectives. It relies on a rotation-based approach inspired by medical students' training in real-world environments.
It’s too early to say how libraries might use artificial intelligence in five years. However, program participants could gain information to shape that future.
5. Updating Class Curriculums
Many libraries offer free or low-cost classes to community members, which are taught by librarians, visiting scholars, and others. Whether someone wants to improve their language skills, learn fitness tips, or prepare for college, there’s a good chance libraries have themed events to help. Some librarians have examined how they could use AI tools to update their teaching methods.
Lauren Todd has over a decade of experience as an engineering subject librarian at Washington University in St. Louis. Her job often allows her to go into engineering classes on campus and help students realize how the library’s resources could assist with their assignments.
When teaching the students of a mechanical engineering and material design class, Todd
Todd acknowledges that ChatGPT is imperfect but can make library research less frustrating for people needing highly specific information. There’s no centralized database of engineering standards, so even seasoned librarians need significant time to find ones that may relate to students’ coursework.
Librarians Can Identify the Best Use Cases
These are some of the most appropriate ways to use artificial intelligence in libraries. However, more will undoubtedly emerge as the technology becomes more advanced and accessible. Library professionals can apply their skills and knowledge to decide which applications best suit their work and library visitors’ needs and which need further improvements to make them worthwhile.
People who work at, use, or have other relevant associations with libraries must keep their minds open during this period of significant change. AI will allow people to do things differently, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they should. Individuals must use their knowledge and the advice of trusted individuals to determine whether artificial intelligence enhances certain library-related tasks.