A.I. in the Library: Virtual Mini-Conference Explores A.I. from Different Perspectives

 

Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is starting to creep into various aspects of our lives including in the library.  On March 9, 2026, Library 2.0 in partnership with California Libraries Learn, the California Library Association, and the California State Library put on a virtual mini conference that went over the many ways that A.I. is being used in different library settings. The three-hour event had twenty-one panels in all that spanned topics such as programming ideas using A.I., patron and staff training about A.I., useful ways to make reporting easier for staff using A.I., and much more. The event kicked off with an hour-long keynote session that made it clear that right now is the time for librarians to design A.I. policies for their institutions. A.I. is a relatively recent technology but it is growing and advancing at an alarming pace. Many institutions are facing pressure from their organizations to explore and use A.I. with the goal of efficiency.  A.I. can be a useful tool but there can be drawbacks.  To control those drawbacks better, library administrators must begin creating institutional policies about the use of A.I. Creating policies that lay down the groundwork for the appropriate use of A.I. is necessary for information institutions.  The keynote panelists presented the A.I. policy of the Toronto Public Library. The policy lays down good guard rails on the appropriate use of A.I. for the institution’s staff. The policy breaks down how A.I. is to be used while stating that the underlying principles of “[t]his policy is driven by principles as defined in the Library’s Values, Vision and Mission and in TPL’s [Toronto Public Library] Equity statement and Intellectual Freedom Statement,” (Toronto Public Library, 2025). The policy clearly states how staff can appropriately use A.I., the areas that A.I. can be used, and it describes the associated challenges of using A.I. Panelists encourage library administrators to review other institutions’ A.I. policies, like the shared Toronto Public Library’s policy, as they begin to design their own policies. The entire virtual mini conference is available online for those interested in seeing how A.I. is being used in the library. One thing is for sure, A.I. is here and libraries will need to make decisions on how it is used in their institutions effectively and responsibly.   Overall, I found the mini conference to be very engaging and enlightening.  The panels I attended really showed the possibilities of A.I. but it was clear that before jumping in completely, we need our institutions to lay down ground rules.  Our input is needed.

Library 2.0. (2026, March 9). Perspectives on AI: Exploring experiences with AI in library work [Webinar].  https://www.library20.com/miniconferences/perspectives-on-ai

Toronto Public Library. (2025, January 27). Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy. https://tpl.ca/policies-and-terms-of-use/artificial-intelligence-policy/