Bridging the Gap: An AI Community of Practice

Congratulations to the eleven individuals selected for the pilot community of practice, "Bridging the Gap: An AI Community of Practice." The cohort represents a diverse range of institutions, including:

• DeSales University
• East Texas A&M University
• Filipino Librarians Association - UAE
• Fort Lewis College
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• Nevada State University
• Northern Kentucky University
• Oglethorpe University
• Southwest Minnesota State University
• Wartburg College
• United States International University Africa

ACRL and the Elsevier Foundation are pleased to announce a pilot community of practice, "Bridging the Gap: An AI Community of Practice.” This program will build a community of practice through a "train-the-trainer" model, enabling participants to extend AI knowledge and skills within their institutions and communities. Applications are now being accepted for the community of practice, which will launch with an in-person workshop at the 2025 ALA Annual Conference in Philadelphia on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

About the Community of Practice
This program, led by ACRL President Leo Lo, addresses the growing need for AI literacy training among early-career librarians, who are uniquely positioned as future leaders and change-makers. Using a "train-the-trainer" model, participants will gain foundational AI literacy skills and learn how to lead and train others in implementing AI initiatives within their own institutions. Participants will leverage resources from the emerging ACRL AI Competencies for Librarians, network with peers, and become part of a growing and sustainable community of practice.

The program includes a hands-on workshop at the 2025 ALA Annual Conference, as well as follow-up activities and webinars designed to support ongoing engagement and knowledge sharing. A key component of the program is the development of an individual plan for implementing AI literacy programs within each participant's institution.

Specific content areas:

• AI and Academic Librarianship: Training on how AI tools can be used to support academic research and library services.

• AI Ethics and Best Practices: Ensuring that participants are equipped to handle ethical considerations when integrating AI into their work.

• Community Building and Train the Trainer Model: Empowering participants to disseminate AI literacy within their institutions.

Participants will receive complimentary registration to the 2025 ALA Annual Conference in Philadelphia and a $1,650 travel stipend, provided by a grant from the Elsevier Foundation.

Applicants must be early-career librarians from under-resourced institutions across North America who are passionate about advancing AI literacy. Under-resourced institutions are defined as those meeting one or more of the following criteria:

1. Professional Development Budget: Libraries with less than $1,000 allocated annually per librarian for professional development.
2. Access to AI Tools and Technologies: Libraries that do not subscribe to or have access to advanced AI tools.
3. Institutional AI Initiatives: Institutions without ongoing or planned initiatives to integrate AI tools or literacy programs.
4. Demographic Indicators: Libraries serving underserved or low-income student populations (e.g., institutions where more than 50% of students receive Pell Grants).
5. Geographic Considerations: Institutions in rural or remote areas with limited access to collaborative networks.

Participation requires a commitment to attend the in-person workshop at the 2025 ALA Annual Conference in Philadelphia on Thursday, June 26, 2025, and to actively engage in ongoing webinars and virtual meet-ups designed to support the community of practice.

To be considered, applicants must complete the online application form. (The application is now closed.) The application form includes the following essay questions:

1. Describe your plan for sharing the knowledge and skills gained from this workshop with your library community and how you envision implementing AI literacy programs at your institution. (max. 300 words)
2. What unique skills, experiences, or perspectives would you bring to this community of practice? (max. 300 words)

Applicants must also submit a letter of support from their dean, director, or supervisor, demonstrating institutional support and commitment. This letter (max. 300 words) should be submitted electronically within the application form.

The ACRL Professional Development Committee will review applications based on the following:

• Responses to the applicant's essay questions
• Demonstrated institutional support, as evidenced by the letter from their dean, director, or supervisor.

Applications must be submitted via the online application form by 11:59 p.m. Pacific, Friday, March 21, 2025.

The ACRL Professional Development Committee will review and select applicants. Notifications will be issued in mid-April 2025.

The Elsevier Foundation contributes over $1 million a year to non-profit organizations and it’s funded by Elsevier, a global information analytics company specializing in science and health. The Elsevier Foundation is part of Elsevier’s corporate responsibility program, which centers on our unique contributions to sustainable development in gender, health, climate and reducing inequalities. On a day to day basis, the Elsevier Foundation is run by a small core team, and its governed by its Board.

In 2005-2016, the Elsevier Foundation has awarded over 100 grants worth millions of dollars to non-profit organizations focusing on libraries, nurse faculties and women scholars during their early and mid-careers.