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

 

Williams, Lauren

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/

 

 

Representation of libraries in artificial intelligence regulations and implications for ethics and practice

Bradley, F. (2022). Representation of libraries in artificial intelligence regulations and implications for ethics and practice. Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, 71(3), 189-200. https://doi.org/10.1080/24750158.2022.2101911

Summary:

This article discusses the existing and potential ethical issues with AI as well as the regulations around AI. It also looks at how AI is being used in libraries and how information professionals are influencing and involved with policy around AI. 

Evaluation:

This article is great because it looks at both the benefits of AI and how libraries are using it as well as ethical problems, and discusses solutions to those problems through the involvement of information professionals. The article also discusses other studies which is helpful. 

Maya Pulfer

Introductory Policy Writing in School Libraries

 Kami Whitlock

Abercrombie, S. (2018). Why do you need a collection development plan? Retrieved from https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/why-do-you-need-a-collection-development-plan/

Abercrombie explains the importance of a collection development plan in a school library. If written and used effectively, the plan can be a great advocacy tool and show the library programs support of the school’s mission. Also, the plan benefits the librarian when it comes to clarifying policies, book challenges, and her evaluation cycle. She explains including selection, deselection, and reconsideration policies. When writing a selection policy consider students needs for pleasure reading, curriculum support, and administrations direction for the school. A deselection policy makes selection possible. A collection must be weeded to be relevant. Finally, a reconsideration policy is necessary to protect the collection and student’s rights. Having a clear reconsideration policy gives the librarian a plan and protocol if/when a book is challenged.

 

This article gives insight into collection development policies at school libraries. Abercrombie quickly breaks down what selection, deselection, and reconsideration policies are and gives example of when each is necessary and what they entail. Creating or revamping library policy is prudent for librarians. This article is a great place to start for general information before doing a deep dive into policy writing.

Collection Development Policies in Community College Libraries

Verdin, Andrew

AV

Mesling, C. F. (2003). Collection development policies in community college libraries. Community & Junior College Libraries, 11(2), 73-88. doi: 10.1300/J107v11n02_07

             Community college and other academic libraries need collection development policies, if one is not already in place, for reasons including communication between those involved internal and external to the library. While the process of creating a new policy might seem daunting and troublesome, this article provides insight on policy components and developing the policy, as well as excerpts of policies to facilitate the drafting process.

Assembling Selection Criteria and Writing a Collection Development Policy

Bridget Sievers

Schleicher, M. C. (2010). Assembling Selection Criteria and Writing a Collection Development Policy for a Variety of Older Medical Books. Journal of Hospital Librarianship, 10(3), 251–264. https://doi.org/10.1080/15323269.2010.491424

In this article, Schleicher explains how the Cleveland Clinic Alumni Library created a framework for selection criteria and collection management for the library’s medical texts. These texts differed from the general collection in that many were historical texts or first editions, eliciting the need to create a new organization system. This was, some could be shared and not just kept in a storage closet.

By evaluating the books in the special collection, the library could potentially fill gaps left in the general collection, share resources with their consortium, and free up physical space in a building where that can be a precious resource. A unique factor in rare and special book collections that was considered in the creation of the criteria was, if the book was already available in the region/consortium, sale of the book to a collector or another organization. This is interesting to compare this to public and school library collections, where profit is rarely a consideration in selection criteria. The article gives a great insight into the considerations that need to be made for collection management of a special or academic library.