ACRL Artificial Intelligence (AI) Interest Group

A heartfelt thank you to all of you who attended today's discussion at which Keven Jeffery and I provided an update on the progress of ACRL's AI Competencies for Library Workers Task Force. We are grateful to all of you who shared your thoughts on the two Google Documents we used and in the session itself. Your input is invaluable as we refine and extend the drafts.

We encourage all of you (regardless of whether or not you attended the discussion) to review the draft competencies and dispositions shown in the attached slide deck. In addition, we welcome your contributions to the following two Google Docs:

1. What would you consider to be core AI competencies for library workers?
2. What dispositions are helpful for library workers who want to or need to develop AI competencies?

If you would prefer to share your thoughts through email, we welcome you to contact either of us, the co-chairs of the ACRL AI Competencies for Library Workers Task Force: 

• Keven Jeffery: kjeffery@sdsu.edu
• Jason Coleman: coleman@ksu.edu

Be on the lookout for future posts with updates on the task force's progress.

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Jason Coleman
Academic Services Librarian
Kansas State University Libraries
He/Him/His
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Thank you for sharing your work and inviting comments and feedback.  I continue to believe that it is too soon to be developing any list of dispositions or competencies for AI for library workers, for many reasons, including the newness of the current versions of generative AI,  the wild west nature of the AI business environment at the moment, the existing ethical and social responsibility issues, including conflicts with ALA Code of Ethics and Core Values, and the possibility of radical disruption of library work.  As a practical matter, it may well be the case that any competencies the task force produces will be outdated as soon as they are released.  I would prefer to see ACRL's resources be directed toward professional development around AI, including learning as much as we can, sharing information between colleagues, and reflection on our professional values without any predetermined notions about what the future may or may not bring. Thank you.      

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Marc Meola
Assistant Professor in the Library
Community College of Philadelphia
He/Him/His
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Hi Marc,

Thank you for sharing your perspective and for encouraging open dialogue. I understand the concerns you've raised-the rapid shifts in generative AI, the complexity of the tech environment, the ethical challenges, and the unpredictability of how these tools may reshape our work. Those issues are precisely why I believe it's important for ACRL to begin shaping a baseline set of AI-related competencies now, rather than waiting for a moment of stability that may never come.

I'm not suggesting a static, final blueprint. Instead, these competencies would be a flexible foundation that we, as a profession, can (and should) refine over time. They are designed to work in tandem with the professional development you mention, helping us navigate change with more clarity and intentionality, and ensuring that our shared values guide our actions rather than being guided by external pressures. As a leader, I feel a responsibility to ensure that we're not simply reacting to the future but actively preparing for it, so we don't risk falling behind.

I appreciate your insights and hope we can keep this conversation going to find a thoughtful, responsive approach that respects our profession's core principles while positioning us to meet future challenges head-on.

Leo

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Leo S Lo, EdD, MLIS, MFA
2024-2025 ACRL President
Dean and Professor
College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences
University of New Mexico
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leoslo/
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Original Message:
Sent: Dec 11, 2024 09:19 AM
From: Marc Meola
Subject: ACRL AI Competencies for Library Workers - Draft Competencies and Dispositions

Thank you for sharing your work and inviting comments and feedback.  I continue to believe that it is too soon to be developing any list of dispositions or competencies for AI for library workers, for many reasons, including the newness of the current versions of generative AI,  the wild west nature of the AI business environment at the moment, the existing ethical and social responsibility issues, including conflicts with ALA Code of Ethics and Core Values, and the possibility of radical disruption of library work.  As a practical matter, it may well be the case that any competencies the task force produces will be outdated as soon as they are released.  I would prefer to see ACRL's resources be directed toward professional development around AI, including learning as much as we can, sharing information between colleagues, and reflection on our professional values without any predetermined notions about what the future may or may not bring. Thank you.      

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Marc Meola
Assistant Professor in the Library
Community College of Philadelphia
He/Him/His
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