Learn practical ways to use AI tools to streamline work at your library in this introductory course.

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 sessions run on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 from 12:00 to 4:10 pm (recorded for on demand viewing) with an asynchronous workshop over 3 weeks. Don’t miss this opportunity!

Learning Outcomes

After you leave this course, you should have the ability 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 interaction

Who should take this course?

This course is for people with new or emerging knowledge about AI; it is open to all levels and types of library staff, but it will be most relevant to librarians who are involved with programs, services, and/or instruction.

 Course Features 

This will be a 3-week online course and will include:

• Live sessions: Guest speaker presentations by leaders in their field. (All sessions are recorded for on demand access for six months after the course ends.) 

• Facilitated discussions: Audience participation in Q&A and discussion with guest speakers.

• Interactive working sessions: Optional breakout groups during live sessions to practice skills with peers.

• Asynchronous workshop: Project-based weekly assignments to connect what you’re learning to your professional life. Includes written feedback from an expert in the field who functions as the workshop facilitator, as well as peer conversation via discussion forums.

• Early access on-demand resources: Access to a series of past live session archives from Library Journal and School Library Journal courses to explore at your own pace. 

• Online Classroom: The virtual learning platform that holds all course content and is accessible for six months after the course ends. 

Course Advisor

Expected time commitment

If you attend or watch the recordings of all live sessions and participate fully in the asynchronous workshop, you'll spend approximately 4 hours per week on this course. You'll earn 12 hours of PD credit and a Library Journal certificate of completion. 

On-demand access

All live guest speaker sessions are recorded and available on-demand for six months following the initial broadcast as a part of your purchase.

Certificate of completion 

Complete the course and earn 12 professional development credit hours. We provide a certificate that is emailed to you. 

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.

Support

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

Group Rates

We offer discounts for groups of 3 or more. Groups have the option to collaborate in the same workshop group, where discussions and project-based assignments receive feedback from an experienced librarian.

For larger groups of 15 or more, we offer the option to apply group rates across multiple courses to receive significant discounts. For more information, select “Bulk Course Credits Packages” in the form below. 

Request a group discount!

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

Half-Day Online Course | Thursday, October 17

Course Instructor 

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 ideas, ask questions, and hear from other participants in class. If you can't join live, all discussion prompts will be shared in the online classroom.

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 Remarks | 3:55-4:00 pm ET

Workshop Q&A | 4:00-4:10 pm ET

An introduction to the weekly assignments and an overview of what to expect from the online workshop in this course.

Online Course Preview

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

Course Format

One-Week Timeline (Course Runs 3+ Weeks)

DAYS 1-2 On-Demand	DAY 3 4 hours	DAYS 4-7 1-2 hours (optional)
PRE-LIVE SESSION - Resources - Discussions - Bonus Content	LIVE SESSIONS - Guest speakers via webcast -  Facilitated discussions - Recordings available for 6 months	ASYNCHRONOUS WORKSHOP - Project-based weekly assignments - Written feedback from a facilitator - Peer conversation via discussion forums

Course Features

Live session with Andrea Blackman and Tasneem Ansariyah Grace	Live Guest Speakers Sessions Guest speaker presentations by leaders in their field.  Audience participation in Q&A and discussion with guest speakers. Optional interactive working sessions with breakout groups during live sessions to practice skills with peers.

Recordings of guest speakers

Recordings Available On Demand Sessions are recorded for on demand access for six months after the course ends.

Asynchronous workshop

Online Classroom + Asynchronous Workshop The virtual learning platform that holds all course content and is accessible for six months after the course ends.  Live session recordings. Project-based weekly assignments.  Written feedback from an expert in the field who functions as the workshop facilitator. Peer conversation via discussion forums.

Early Access On-Demand Resources

Early Access On-Demand Resources Bonus: Register early and get access to a series of past live session archives from Library Journal and School Library Journal courses to explore at your own pace.  Some courses include supporting resources in the online classroom.