Issue 136

If you’ve ever wished for a clone to help you run your library, one that doesn’t need a lunch break, never complains about shelving and always has fresh ideas, artificial intelligence (AI) might just be the next best thing. For many teacher librarians, librarians and solo library staff, the daily juggle of running a library can feel like a one person circus. But what if you had a digital colleague who could help lighten the load?

AI is no longer just the stuff of sci fi. It’s here, it’s practical and it’s surprisingly helpful in the library. Whether you’re managing a bustling secondary school collection or flying solo in a small primary school library, AI tools can act as collaborators, planners and even creative partners.

Why AI is a game changer for library staff

AI tools like CoPilot, ChatGPT, Claude and Perplexity are designed to assist with a wide range of library tasks such as these:

• Time saving: AI can summarise articles, draft emails, generate book lists, and even write blurbs for displays.
• Idea generation: Need some more ideas to support Book Week? Want a new angle for your reading challenge? AI can brainstorm with you.
• Professional development: AI can help you stay current with trends and research, and even assist in writing grant applications or reports.

UNESCO’s 2025 (revised) report on AI in education highlights its potential to support teachers and learners by automating routine tasks, supporting inclusion and enhancing creativity. For library staff, this translates into more time for meaningful engagement with students and collections.

Creating your own AI agent

One of the most exciting developments is the ability to create a custom AI agent — essentially a digital assistant trained to understand your library’s needs. There are a variety of platforms that allow users to build assistants that can:

• learn your preferences (genre recommendations, curriculum links, library programs)
• help plan library activities and events
• draft newsletters, book reviews, or even social media posts
• simulate student questions for reader advisory practice.

These agents can be programmed to suit your needs and the needs of your school community. As Dr. Kay Oddone notes on the Engaging and Empowering School Libraries podcast, AI can be a powerful tool for enhancing library services when used ethically and thoughtfully.

Practical AI use for library planning

Here are a few ways that you can use AI to support your day to day planning:

• Curriculum alignment: AI can match books to ACARA standards, helping you build reading lists that support classroom learning.
• Event planning: Whether you need ideas for the never ending display opportunities, Book Week or general library activities, AI can help generate themes, activities, promotional copy and resources.
• Collection development: AI can assist in analysing data (with help from your LMS) and suggest gaps in genres or age groups.

Approach AI as a collaborator, not a replacement. It’s there to support your expertise, not override it.

It is here to (hopefully) make it easier. Especially for those working solo, it’s like having a partner to bounce ideas off. See what subscriptions your school has to AI resources (BCE has access to CoPilot). Focus on one to begin with and learn what it can offer you. The key is to use it so you can learn its limitations, but you’ll also see how much help it can be.

References

Oddone, K. (2023, June 10). AI: Friend or Foe? The School Librarians Perspective [Video file]. YouTube. youtu.be/nF7q-naoEKg

UNESCO. (2021). Artificial intelligence in education: Guidance for policymakers. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000376709