ACRL Artificial Intelligence (AI) Interest Group

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To provide a forum for discussing the impact of AI on libraries and related topics, facilitating the exchange of ideas, best practices, and collaborative initiatives among library professionals.
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AI paid programs currently in use in library systems...

  • 1.  AI paid programs currently in use in library systems...

    Posted Oct 08, 2024 02:35 PM
    Edited by Michael Simiele Oct 08, 2024 02:36 PM

    Good Afternoon Practitioners,

    I am Michael Simiele and I am a student at San Jose State University's MLIS program. I am conducting a research study on AI systems that have been integrated into the library environment. If your system is current utilizing any form of paid AI system, I would ask you a few questions if you would be willing too. All interview information will be kept strictly confidential unless otherwise approved first. This is a non-published paper for educational purposes only. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for any assitance you can give me on this matter. 

    Regards,

    Michael Simiele

    michael.simiele@sjsu.edu



    ------------------------------
    Michael Simiele
    Student
    San Jose State University
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  • 2.  RE: AI paid programs currently in use in library systems...

    Posted Oct 08, 2024 03:36 PM

    Hi Michael and welcome - I spent many years working in Mountain View and have a lot of great memories of San Jose (and many library colleagues from San Jose State!).  Ginny and I will be posting some AI discussions here later in the month, and in the meantime I look forward to seeing what information folks have to share on this topic.



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    Heather Sardis
    Associate Director for Technology and Strategic Planning
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: AI paid programs currently in use in library systems...

    Posted Oct 10, 2024 11:24 AM

    We do not have any AI systems integrated specifically into our library resources (yet!) but some of us do use CoPilot and other generative AI for our work. 

    If that would help, I would be more than willing to lend a hand.

    Best of luck with the research!

    Cheers,

    Ryan Spellman
    spellmanr2@nku.edu 



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    Ryan Spellman
    Online Learning Librarian
    Northern Kentucky University
    Steely Library/Serials
    He/Him/His
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: AI paid programs currently in use in library systems...

    Posted Oct 15, 2024 05:33 PM

    Hi Michael,

    Thank you for posting this discussion topic. It will be great to learn about what others are using or seeing used in their libraries. At Virginia Tech, we're mostly still exploring, though some are trying out some tools via personal accounts (if it's of interest to them personally), or using specific tools for focused projects at work or for research. In general, in order to use web applications or downloadable tools - anything where there are terms and conditions that would be considered 'signing' a contract by agreeing to them, our institution requires review and approval by our legal and procurement teams. So, to what extent we'll have paid AI tools in the future depends at least partly on successful review of these products and their alignment with our institution's data privacy and other requirements. Currently, we do have institutional access to the free version of MicroSoft CoPilot (only using this with low risk data and information -- mainly material that would be publicly available already). It sounds like CoPilot may come out with educational institution pricing, in which case our institution as a whole may provide institutional access to a closed, paid version of MicroSoft CoPilot with greater security. We are allowed to create accounts for brief testing;  some people are briefly testing free or trialing paid versions (when trial periods are available) for tools like ChatGPT, Elicit, Consensus, Research Rabbit, MidJourney and more -- for generating initial keywords for developing a comprehensive search strategy (such as for a systematic review); gathering quick background or examples for a starting point on a topic; creating images for presentations or other needs; drafting emails; and other uses. 

    For paid AI tools, a couple examples include AI components or features within applications or resources we already subscribe to: our institution as a whole has Zoom AI (paid) and we're starting to use it in some cases in Library meetings - similar to other meeting AI tools it can provide at least a draft of a transcript, a draft meeting summary with topics and action items, and within the meeting it can 'catch you up' with an auto summary if you join late, repeat to you something said in the meeting addressed to you by name (if it recognizes the name). In the Libraries we are also trialing the paid Scopus AI tool - based on the Scopus research literature database, which we subscribe to. Whether we will add Scopus AI to our agreements or not depends on our experience in using the tool, the feedback we receive from those outside the library, the cost, and, if we decide to go forward, whether it passes review by procurement and legal teams.

    ~Ginny



    ------------------------------
    Virginia () Pannabecker
    Assistant Dean and Director, Research Collaboration and Engagement
    University Libraries, Virginia Tech
    She/Her/Hers,They/Them/Theirs
    vpannabe@vt.edu
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: AI paid programs currently in use in library systems...

    Posted Oct 25, 2024 03:40 PM
    Edited by Qin Zhu Oct 26, 2024 01:58 PM

    Hi Michael,

    It's fantastic to see research efforts focused on AI in the library field!

    I'd be happy to share some information that might be helpful. I'm with Epsilla (https://epsilla.com/), an AI startup backed by Y Combinator.  We have AI solutions to enhance library services and resources.

    Here's a quick overview:

    1.       Epsilla Platform – All-in-one platform is designed to empower domain professionals, such as librarians and information professionals to create domain-specific AI agents and applications,  tailored to the needs of libraries and information fields.

    2.       Library-Focused AI Solutions – We've developed AI tools specifically for libraries, including smart library catalogs, AI agents for research guides, subject-specific search, and AI chat agents, curated and managed by domain experts.

    3.       Demo Site – You can explore our live demo here: Epsilla Library Demo. This includes several features:

    o   A "About the Library" chat agent at the home page

    o   Research Guides chat agent

    o   AI tools for special collections  - check each collection page.

    o   AI-driven discovery tools integrated with library catalogs

    I understand you were asking about paid programs. Epsilla offers a free tier for anyone interested in trying it out.

    Additionally, Epsilla provides an educational series aimed at demystifying AI.

    Let me know if you'd like more details - I'd be happy to answer any questions!

    Ps. We delivered the closing session at ai4libraries conference this week.  See some info below.

    The conference organizer will make the presentation available on the conference website. 

    Best regards,

    Qin

    Qin Lippert

    Partner, AI Products & Solutions

    qin@epsilla.com | Epsilla





    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: AI paid programs currently in use in library systems...

    Posted Oct 28, 2024 12:01 PM
    Edited by Virginia Pannabecker Oct 28, 2024 12:02 PM

    Hi Qin,

    I'm Ginny, one of our group's co-conveners. Glad you've joined the group, and great to see you jump in on one of the topics right away!

    A quick reminder that the ALA Connect Code of Conduct does not permit Promotion of paid products, events, or services not initiated by the American Library Association. 

    Looking forward to future discussions!

    ~Ginny



    ------------------------------
    Virginia () Pannabecker
    Assistant Dean and Director, Research Collaboration and Engagement
    University Libraries, Virginia Tech
    She/Her/Hers,They/Them/Theirs
    vpannabe@vt.edu
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: AI paid programs currently in use in library systems...

    Posted Oct 28, 2024 02:00 PM
    Edited by Qin Zhu Oct 28, 2024 02:00 PM

    Hi Ginny,

    It is nice to meet you here. It is great to see the discussion group dedicated to the emerging topic: AI!

    Thank you for the reminder. I noted the initial question posted was on paid programs.  In my recent post, I shared some free resources, (free tool, free conference, free learning), which may be helpful.

    Mostly I wanted to share the various use cases of AI in libraries, especially around  library content and library user experience -  example: the demo library site. 

    As it is an emerging topic, let's learn together!

    Best regards,

    Qin

    ----------------------------------------

    Qin Lippert
    Partner, AI Products & Solutions
    qin@epsilla.com   |   Epsilla

    ----------------------------------------



    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: AI paid programs currently in use in library systems...

    Posted Oct 28, 2024 08:02 PM
    Edited by Virginia Pannabecker Oct 29, 2024 04:25 AM

    Hi Qin,

    It's nice to meet you too. Yes, I saw you shared openly available conference materials. I appreciate you sharing that!

    Looking forward to future discussions.

    All the best,

    Ginny



    ------------------------------
    Virginia () Pannabecker
    Assistant Dean and Director, Research Collaboration and Engagement
    University Libraries, Virginia Tech
    She/Her/Hers,They/Them/Theirs
    vpannabe@vt.edu
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: AI paid programs currently in use in library systems...

    Posted Oct 29, 2024 07:15 AM

    Hello Qin,

    Can you reshare those conference materials? I can't seem to find them in any of the threads.

    Thank you,

    Trina



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    Trina McCowan
    Director of Library Services
    University of North Florida
    She/Her/Hers
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: AI paid programs currently in use in library systems...

    Posted Nov 01, 2024 07:29 PM
    Edited by Qin Zhu Nov 01, 2024 07:53 PM

    Hi Trina,

    I shared the recent ai4libraries conference, a free virtual conference on AI in libraries. I delivered the closing session at the conference. I believe the conference organizer will make the conference recordings and materials available on the website. Following are some slides from our session.

    Also, some free information to share –

    ·        Example library website with AI applications: here

    ·        AI tools used to create AI applications for libraries: Sign up Free here

    ·        AI Literacy Training Series: link here

    Hope this helps. Feel free to reach out to me on any questions you have on the above. 

    Let’s learn together in this exciting time.

    Best regards,

    Qin

    ----------------------------------------

    Qin Lippert
    Partner, AI Products & Solutions
    qin@epsilla.com   |   Epsilla

    ----------------------------------------



    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: AI paid programs currently in use in library systems...

    Posted Nov 04, 2024 09:07 AM

    Thank you! These are great.



    ------------------------------
    Trina McCowan
    Director of Library Services
    University of North Florida
    She/Her/Hers
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: AI paid programs currently in use in library systems...

    Posted Nov 25, 2024 11:11 PM

    This discussion is a great resource for anyone looking to explore AI tools in libraries. It's helpful to see the range of tools being tested, from AI-powered research assistants like Consensus and Scopus AI to library-specific platforms like Epsilla. I appreciate hearing about the experiences of others, especially around considerations like data privacy and trial periods, as it helps inform decisions on which tools might be the best fit for different library environments.



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    Abigail Calderon
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    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: AI paid programs currently in use in library systems...

    Posted Nov 27, 2024 02:53 PM
    Edited by Qin Zhu Dec 05, 2024 01:34 AM

    Thank you Abigail for mentioning Epsilla. I truly appreciate this forum as a space to share and learn about emerging trends and technologies that advance the library field.

    To address some of the points raised in this discussion, I wanted to share the following –

    1.       Epsilla No-Code Platform: Build AI tools using local data and knowledge, with a free tier:  here

    2.       Data Privacy Commitment: Epsilla ensures data privacy with secure, compliant solutions, adhering to global data protection standards.

    To help libraries choose AI technologies for their investigation and implementation, we provide the following guidance:

    Many have asked about our presentation on AI, library content and community engagement at the AI4Libraries conference.

    The recording is now available here.

    Related to this field, I am excited to share a few things:

    Metadata filtering for better AI results

    ·        Enables richer context using metadata records and linked data for more accurate search results - here

    ·        I especially like how it references libraries and librarians!

    AI Agents Combining Public and Private Knowledge

    ·        Enhance research by combining real-time public insights with private data/content, creating a comprehensive and seamless knowledge ecosystem.

    ·        Check out more info - here and example - here

    Innovative Use Cases:

    ·        Concept Map for Library Collections: Topic graph for Programming books

    ·        FRL Programming Book Guide: Book Guide with Card View

    We'd love to hear about your innovative AI use cases for your libraries, for your library content and data! Let's continue learning and exploring together in this exciting AI age.

    Best regards,

    Qin



    ------------------------------
    Qin Zhu
    Partner, AI Products & Solutions
    Epsilla
    ------------------------------

    Original Message