AI guidance for school librarians

CHICAGO — The sudden appearance of AI in educational settings is exciting and transformative—and also disorienting. But this shift presents new opportunities to enhance school library services, support teaching and learning, and streamline school librarians’ own professional workflows. In “Leveraging AI in School Libraries: From Basics to Best Practices,” published by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and ALA Editions, Delandrus Lenet Ieashea Seales offers practical strategies, insights, and tools for school librarians to thoughtfully, inclusively, and confidently integrate AI into their daily instructional and working practices. Using this book, readers will:

• understand effective prompt engineering and other foundational concepts of AI, laying the groundwork for engaging with AI tools in an educational setting;
• receive actionable guidance on developing AI policies and procedures that align with the school library’s mission while addressing stakeholder and community concerns;
• learn how to protect data privacy, evaluate AI tools for bias and fairness, and ensure responsible AI usage;
• discover strategies for leveraging AI to improve instructional practices, such as supporting personalized learning experiences, automating routine tasks, and providing data-driven insights to inform teaching strategies;
• explore ways that AI can enhance productivity by streamlining administrative duties, managing library resources more efficiently, and facilitating better communications with learners and educators;
• find AASL Standards-based instructional approaches to brainstorming, proofreading, research, and fostering creativity using AI tools;
• receive guidance on how to rethink plagiarism in the age of AI, including strategies for facilitating reflection, using AI tools for detecting potential plagiarism, and techniques for teaching learners how to properly cite AI-generated content using prompt generators; and
• get tips on staying ahead of emerging trends, anticipating and adapting to new developments, and ensuring that the school library remains at the forefront of educational innovation.

Seales, MLS, MAT is a Teaching & Learning Librarian at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, North Carolina. With 16 years of K–12 experience as a special education teacher, school librarian, and public library branch manager, she brings diverse expertise to her role. She serves as a board member on a North Carolina edtech organization, and on several ACRL online learning and instructional technology committees. She is also an ALA COLA Ecosystem Representative.

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.

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