ALA Special Report surveys Generative AI policies for public and academic libraries

CHICAGO —Though it’s challenging to set policies for a technology that is so young and still in flux, the need is urgent. Because usage of AI presents both opportunities and risks, libraries must be proactive. There are already digital literacy skills, including a basic understanding of the technology around AI, that libraries can help their patrons master; and because of data privacy, security, and ethics issues, library workers require clear AI policies too. In “Creating Generative AI Policies: A Guide for Public and Academic Libraries,” a new Special Report published by ALA Editions, technology expert Robin Hastings highlights the first attempts of libraries across the country to set up policies for the use of AI in their organizations, as well as policies created by cities and other similar institutions, to guide stakeholders in creating their own smart, forward-thinking course of action. Succinct and pragmatic, this timely resource:

• provides a short overview of Generative AI history, basic technical knowledge, and the key arguments put forth by those in favor and those opposed to this technology;
• offers advice on discovering how library staff encounter AI in their day-to-day work, both in their own usage and by patrons, to inform what policies the library needs and which policies to consider adjusting for particular use cases;
• includes separate chapters focusing on staff-side policy and patron/public-facing policy, delving into essential considerations like staff training, privacy and data protection, security, AI usage for reference, patron education and AI literacy, and setting limits and boundaries on patron AI use;
• suggests useful approaches to ensure that AI policies are easy to follow and understand by library workers, patrons, and the wider community;
• discusses how to craft flexible procedures that can be updated as AI continues to change, drawing on technology management best practices; and
• offers links to additional resources like sample policy documents and a curated reading list for understanding the environment around AI. 

Hastings is the library services consultant for the Northeast Kansas Library System (NEKLS). In that capacity, she provides technology and consulting on library services to 40+ libraries in the NEKLS region. She also manages several state-wide services in Kansas. She has presented all over the world on cloud computing, project management, disaster planning, and many other topics. Robin is the author of five books on library-related and technology topics, including the seventh edition of “Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion: A Basic Guide for Library Staff,” as well as several articles in library-related journals.

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