The University Libraries is engaged with artificial intelligence (AI), both to support teaching and research on campus and to respond to the changes emerging because of AI in the day-to-day work involved in running a university library. This page highlights some recent AI initiatives in the Libraries, some that are visible to everyone who uses the library (such as AI tools in library databases) and some that are happening behind the scenes, as we adapt to new expectations from the community we serve and the vendors we work with.
AI in the Libraries
AI in the Libraries
Library AI Committees and what they are doing
Apply AI Working Group
This group focuses on the continued exploration and application of AI in library work and projects. The group explores ways to position ourselves as an “AI literate” library. The group is researching ways in which AI is/can be integrated into a library worker’s duties to automate tasks as well as aid in complex projects. The group is also creating documentation that will help library workers become more AI literate and find additional resources relating to developments regarding AI at the university level.
Questions?
Contact Challen Wright
Teach and Learn with AI Working Group
This group focuses on AI literacy. The group identifies ways that the Libraries can support teaching and learning with AI and addresses issues related to equitable access and ethics regarding the use of AI tools and the provision of AI learning opportunities. The group has evaluated different AI research tools and adopted AI literacy definitions and competencies. The group has also identified opportunities for library support of AI, such as through in-person and online instruction in the appropriate use of AI tools and the learning of AI competencies.
Questions?
Contact Ann Medaille
Can you use AI with library resources?
Generally, the answer is no (unless it is a vendor’s AI tool that interacts with the vendor’s content or if it is an open access article). This applies to articles, ebooks, streaming videos, or any other content from a library database.
- Libraries license content from many different vendors, and vendors are increasingly introducing clauses that prohibit AI tools, irrespective of scholarly purpose. Fair use may allow certain applications of AI, but there is so far little clarity about fair use with respect to AI in the educational setting, as various legal cases are moving through the courts. See All TDM & AI Rights Reserved? Fair Use & Evolving Publisher Copyright Statements (SPARC) and Licensing research content via agreements that authorize uses of artificial intelligence (Authors Alliance) for more information.
- Please respect any policies and statements posted on vendor websites about use of AI.
AI in library databases: where will you find integrated AI tools?
Many of the library’s databases and journal platforms have introduced AI tools to assist in research tasks. These tools may be active only when working with a particular resource (such as an article or ebook), or they may access information across all the content in a platform. If you’d like to try them out, here are some examples.
JSTOR has an optional “AI Research Tool” that works with articles, book chapters, and research reports. Users must create a JSTOR account to use the AI Research Tool.
O’Reilly offers its “Answers” AI tool (linked from the top menu) to answer questions, drawing on the thousands of titles on the O’Reilly platform.
AI Topic Explorer, accessible through the library’s search box, provides a general topic overview, drawing on and linking to scholarly content available in the library’s collections. Users must login with their NetID.
WebCampus modules about AI
Librarians have created five short WebCampus modules that address the intersection of AI and information literacy skills. Faculty can download one or more of these modules into any WebCampus course. Topics cover:
- Finding Academic Sources with AI
- Using AI to Explore Topics and Research Questions
- Evaluating AI-Generated Content
- Citing Generative AI
- Ethics and Artificial Intelligence
See AI in Research & Teaching for more information.
Additional AI resources
Resource links for AI information for students