AI, Algorithms & Librarians: The evolution of the librarian in the GenAI era
Sponsored by Elsevier
Recorded on 03/19/2026Posted in Library Technology and IT, Scholarly Communication and Research
Gain practical tips for staying up to date on AI developments, participating in AI policy decisions, and evaluating AI tools for the library.
Access the presentation slides.
Resources from Webinar Speakers and Attendees:
Journal Articles
- Deschenes, Amy, and Meg McMahon. “A Survey on Student Use of Generative AI Chatbots for Academic Research.” Evidence Based Library and Information Practice 19, no. 2 (2024). https://doi.org/10.18438/eblip30512.
- Joshi, S. “Retraining us workforce in the age of agentic gen ai: role of prompt engineering and up-skilling initiatives.” International Journal of Advanced Research in Science Communication and Technology, 543-557 (2025). https://doi.org/10.48175/ijarsct-23272.
- Joshi, S. (2025). “The Transformative Impact of Artificial Intelligence on US Labor Markets: Workforce Disruption, Skill Evolution, and the Emergence of Prompt Engineering.” Preprints (2025). https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202510.0671.v1.
- Vinyard, Marc, and Mark Roosa. “Student Perspectives on Using Generative Artificial Intelligence for Research: A Qualitative Approach.” portal: Libraries and the Academy 25, no. 4 (2025): 729-752. https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/pla.2025.a971030.
- Wong, Melissa A. (Issue Editor). “Generative AI and Libraries: Applications and Ethics, Part I.” Library Trends 73, no. 3 (February 2025).
Web Publications
- “Americans Use AI in Everyday Products Without Realizing It,” Gallup News, January 15, 2025.
- Flaherty, Colleen. “How AI Is Changing—Not ‘Killing’—College.” Inside Higher Ed, August 19, 2025.
- “Introducing the Model Context Protocol.” Anthropic, November 24, 2025.
- Ippolito, Jon. “Does Education Really Require the F-Word?” Electronic Book Review, February 18, 2026.
- Researcher of the Future — a Confidence in Research report, Elsevier, 2025.
- Walther, Cornelia C. “The Hidden Cost of AI Energy Consumption.” Knowledge at Wharton, November 12, 2024.
Websites/Webinars/Tools
- ACRL Framework for Information Literacy Sandbox
- AI Competencies for Academic Library Workers, ACRL.
- AIRUS: Artificial Intelligence in Reference & User Services Interest Group
- AIRUS Zotero group
- Bloom’s StAIrcase, Potsdam SUNY.
- Critical Thinking Bot
- LeapSpace: Where responsible AI meets rigorous research standards
- The Librarians’ Electronic Resource Reviews Network (LERRN). – Search LERRN for “AI & Catalog” for a few things librarians are experimenting with for cataloging/classification of resources.
- “Revising the Framework: Learn and Discuss Webinar,” ACRL Insider, February 26, 2026.
Books
- Moore, Caroline. Self Care Won’t Save Us: How to Fight Burnout with Solidarity and Social Change. Microcosm Press, January 2026. – Addresses the question of is AI/tech really reducing our workload.
- Yudkowsky, Eliezer, and Soares, Nate. If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: Why Superhuman AI Would Kill Us All. Hachette, September 2025. ISBN: 978-0316595643.
Summary:
From shaping campus AI policies to offering AI literacy instruction and supporting researchers as they explore new tools, librarians are actively engaged in the evolving AI landscape. Their longstanding role as a hub for information, learning, and research makes libraries a natural home for guiding thoughtful, ethical, and effective AI use across campus.
Our panel of librarians will share how they are engaging in the AI debate on their campuses and how purpose-built research grade AI tools can improve the researcher workflow. Attendees will leave with practical tips on staying up to date on AI developments, participating in AI policy decisions on their campuses, and evaluating AI tools for the library.
Speakers:
Melissa Del Castillo
ChairAIRUS: Artificial Intelligence in Reference & User Services Interest GroupEvan Simpson
Associate Dean, Experiential Learning & Academic EngagementNortheastern UniversityEmily Singley
Vice President, Global Library Relations & PartnershipsElsevier
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