Unlock the power of artificial intelligence for your library

Course Description 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has splashed into cultural awareness and usage, prompting librarians to question if and how to use AI in and for their libraries. This online course will focus on tangible ways to apply AI to your communication, programming, and workplace challenges. We will discuss the potential challenges regarding ethics and copyright, as well as the opportunities to engage new users and streamline your work. You’ll have a chance to get hands-on to play with commonly available tools and practice writing effective prompts. All live speaker presentations will be recorded and available on demand for six months.

This course includes one half-day (4 hours) of live, online presentations from an expert speaker, as well as three weeks of a guided asynchronous workshop with facilitated peer cohorts and assignments. In this workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to practice what you’ve learned through prompted activities, share and crowdsource issues with peers, and get feedback from peers and your facilitator. The workshop will culminate in you creating a “train the trainer” presentation to share your new knowledge with your colleagues at your organization.

The live session runs on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 from 12:00-4:00 pm ET (recorded for on-demand viewing) with an ongoing facilitator-led workshop over 3 weeks. Don’t miss this opportunity!

Learning Outcomes

After you attend this course, you’ll be able to:

• Understand the challenges and opportunities of using AI in your library

• Understand the fundamentals of AI and how to use a few of the commonly available tools

• Write effective prompts for generative AI use

• Create innovative programming or lesson plans using AI and about AI

• Analyze the ethical implications and safeguards for using AI

• Integrate AI in daily work tasks as a personal assistant, getting you started or even serving as a coach for difficult interactions

Who should take this course 

This course is best suited for librarians who lead or assist with programs and services. This course will primarily be geared toward public libraries, but there will be crossover for K12 and academic librarians as well.
This course is for you if you want to learn about AI, the challenges and opportunities it presents for libraries, and how to use it to support your everyday work life. 

This course is appropriate for all levels of library staff.
 

Expected time commitment: 

You'll spend approximately 4 hours on the live speaker session part of the course, plus 1-2.5 hours per week on the guided asynchronous workshop. You'll earn 15 hours of PD credit and a Library Journal certificate of completion. 

Live sessions are also available on demand for six months

Can’t make a live session? All guest speaker sessions are recorded and available on demand for six months following the initial broadcast.

Certificate of completion provided 

15 professional development credit hours

For support with online courses, please contact libraryjournal@edmaker.co

Accessibility

All guest speaker sessions feature live captioning and are made available on demand after the initial broadcast. Please email libraryjournal@edmaker.co upon registration if you require any special accommodations and we will make our best efforts to facilitate them.

Group Rates

Have a team attend and increase your impact!

Discounted registration fees are available for groups of 3 or more. 

Send us a request for a quote.

By registering for this event you confirm that you have read and agree to our Code of Conduct.

For support with online courses, please contact libraryjournal@edmaker.co.

Course Instructor 

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Session 1 | 12:00-12:45 pm ET

The What and Why of Artificial Intelligence

What exactly is artificial intelligence? How did we get here? Will it affect my job? In this session, you will learn about the history of AI along with an overview of the current landscape of chatbots and other generative AI. You will also consider the positive implications of experimenting with AI as a means of enhancing your daily work.

Session 2 | 12:45-1:30 pm ET

How ChatGPT and Other ChatBots Can Help with Communication

Learn when chatbots can be helpful in your library work, along with other AI tools that help get your message across to your colleagues and community members. Learn tips for constructing effective chatbot prompts and apply them to your own communication needs.

Break | 1:30-1:45 pm ET

Live Working Session | 1:45-2:15 pm ET

This live, moderated working session will give you an immediate opportunity to process and apply the skills you’ve learned. You will be divided into smaller working groups and presented with an activity related to content shared. You are encouraged to join on camera and audio to discuss. 

Session 3 | 2:15-3:00 pm ET

Ethical Implications and Gotchas of Generative AI

Can AI lie? What about bias? Who owns the copyright for generated AI? In this session, you will uncover potential problems that come with using AI tools, along with ideas for mitigating those risks and helping your community grapple with the ethical dilemmas surrounding AI.

Break | 3:00-3:10 pm ET

Session 4 | 3:10-3:55 pm ET

Employing AI as Your Personal Aide for Teaching, Programming, and More

Whether you’re new to teaching or library programming, or have years of experience, sometimes the most difficult aspect of creating new experiences for your community is getting started. Learn how AI can jumpstart your creativity for improving past go-to lessons or programs, as well as how you can introduce students and patrons to AI pitfalls and possibilities. You will also discover practical ways AI can enhance other types of library work tasks.

Closing Thoughts | 3:55-4:00 pm ET

Online Course Preview

A preview of how we build your library skills and bring inspiration to your projects with our online learning experience.

Half-Day Online Course + Facilitated Group Workshop for Project-Based Learning

Live session with Andrea Blackman and Tasneem Ansariyah Grace

Live Guest Speakers Each Week One half-day of live, expert speaker presentations with audience Q&A (session recordings available on demand for six months if you can’t join live) Option to join on camera to participate in interactive discussions and activities with course presenters and peers during live sessions Project-based, asynchronous workshop assignments to practice and apply new skills for 3 weeks after the live sessions. Expert, individualized feedback on asynchronous work for 3 weeks.

Online Course Features

Recordings of guest speakers

Recordings Available After The Live Session Real-time guest speaker and conversation via live video stream (with recordings available afterward) Instructor-led online course features personalized interaction over 3+ weeks

Facilitator-led workshop

Online Classroom Organizes All Materials Workshop assignments to help you make progress on your goals Individualized attention from course facilitators who work with you in a coaching environment in the workshop to help sort out challenges Ongoing group conversation via discussion forums

Early Access On Demand Resources

Early Access and Ongoing Resources To Support Learning Supporting resources (articles, videos, worksheets) in the online classroom to provide a foundation for your work Access all course content for six months after the course ends Bonus: Register early and get immediate access to archival video recordings from related courses and other bonus content