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About This Course
Learn practical ways to use AI tools to streamline work at your library in this introductory course.
Live Session via Zoom:
Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 12:00–4:00 pm ET
(recordings available for 6 months)
Asynchronous Workshop:
3 on-demand, project-based modules
Artificial intelligence has rapidly entered cultural awareness and daily workflows, prompting librarians to ask whether—and how—to use AI tools in their libraries. This course focuses on practical, real-world applications of AI for communication, programming, and workplace challenges.
You’ll explore ethical and copyright considerations alongside opportunities to engage new users and streamline internal operations. Through hands-on practice, you’ll experiment with commonly available tools and learn how to write effective prompts. The course primarily emphasizes using AI for internal library communications and operations.
The live session takes place on Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 12:00 to 4:00 pm ET and will be recorded for on-demand viewing. The asynchronous workshop is designed to be completed over three weeks, but you will have six months of access to work at your own pace.
ENROLL NOW
Return to Full Course Catalog
AFTER YOU ATTEND THIS COURSE, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO:
- Understand the challenges and opportunities of using AI in your library
- Understand the challenges and opportunities of using AI in your library
- Write effective prompts for generative AI use
- Create innovative programming or lesson plans using AI and about AI
- Analyze the ethical implications and safeguards for using AI
- Integrate AI in daily work tasks as a personal assistant, getting you started or even serving as a coach for difficult interactions
COURSE AGENDA
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Course & Workshop Introduction | 12:00–12:15 pm ET
An introduction to the course structure and weekly assignments, an overview of what to expect from the online workshop, and time to complete the course pre-assessment.
Session 1: The What and Why of Artificial Intelligence | 12:15–1:30 pm ET
What exactly is artificial intelligence? How did we get here? Will it affect my job? This session introduces the history of AI and provides an overview of the current landscape of chatbots and generative AI tools. You’ll explore the potential benefits of experimenting with AI as a way to enhance your daily library work.
Break | 1:30–1:40 pm ET
Session 2: Ethical Implications and Gotchas of Generative AI | 1:40–2:50 pm ET
Can AI lie? What about bias? Who owns the copyright for AI-generated content? In this session, you’ll examine common ethical concerns associated with generative AI, explore potential risks, and discuss strategies for mitigating those challenges while helping your community navigate AI-related ethical questions.
Break | 2:50–3:00 pm ET
Session 3: Boosting Creativity and Communication with AI | 3:00–4:00 pm ET
Discover how ChatGPT and other AI tools can support common library tasks such as crafting clear communications, planning programs or lessons, and generating creative ideas. Learn how to write strong prompts to improve outputs, use AI responsibly with students and patrons, and spend time experimenting with tools during guided, hands-on practice.
COURSE ADVISOR & INSTRUCTOR
Crystal Trice, CSM, CSM@Scale, Library Consultant, Scissors & Glue, LLC
 With over 20 years of experience in education and local government, Crystal Trice is passionate about helping people work together more effectively. In her previous work as a library project coordinator, she managed projects spanning multiple libraries, led cross-functional teams, and ensured continuity of library operations. She also launched new websites as part of a small web team, using usability testing and analytics to guide design decisions.
Crystal is a Certified Scrum Master and holds a Scrum@Scale certification for government. She earned a Master’s degree in Library & Information Science, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Psychology.
Her broad professional background fuels her dedication to community enrichment, and she is enthusiastic about supporting organizations in achieving their goals.
When she’s not working, Crystal enjoys fine-tip Sharpies, multi-colored Flair pens, blue painter’s tape, and as many sticky notes as she can get her hands on. She currently resides near Portland, Oregon, with her husband, fuzzy cows, goofy geese, and noisy chickens.
WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE
This course is designed for people with new or emerging knowledge about artificial intelligence. It is open to all levels and types of library staff, and will be especially relevant for librarians involved in programs, services, instruction, or internal operations.
THIS WILL BE A HALF-DAY LIVE ONLINE COURSE + A 4-MODULE ASYNCHRONOUS WORKSHOP AND WILL INCLUDE
- Live sessions: Guest speaker presentations by leaders in their field. (All sessions are recorded for on-demand access for six months after the course ends.)
- Facilitated discussions: Audience participation in Q&A and discussion with guest speakers.
- Asynchronous workshop: On-demand, project-based modules connecting what you’re learning to your professional practice, including peer-to-peer sharing via discussion forums.
- Online classroom: The virtual learning platform houses all course content and remains accessible for six months after the course ends.
EXPECTED TIME COMMITMENT
If you attend or watch the recordings of all live sessions and complete the 4-module workshop, you’ll spend approximately 12 hours on this course. You’ll earn 12 hours of professional development credit and a Library Journal certificate of completion.
ON-DEMAND ACCESS
All live guest speaker sessions are recorded and available on demand for six months following the initial broadcast as part of your purchase.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
Complete the course and earn 12 professional development credit hours. A certificate of completion will be emailed to you.
ACCESSIBILITY
All guest speaker sessions feature auto-captioning and are available on demand after the initial broadcast. Please email course-support@libraryjournal.com upon registration if you require accommodations. We will make our best effort to support your needs.
SUPPORT
For support with online courses, please contact course-support@libraryjournal.com .
DISCOUNTED RATES ARE AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY
Secure your tickets now to lock in the best price!
| Rate | Early Bird | Standard |
| Deadline |
January 26, 2026 |
February 26, 2026 |
| Ticket Price |
$249 |
$289 |
GROUP RATES
We offer discounts for groups of 3 or more.
For larger groups of 15 or more, we offer the option to apply group rates across multiple courses to receive significant discounts. For more information, select Bulk Course Credits Packages in the form below.
Request Discounted Group Pricing
For support with group purchases, please contact groupsales@libraryjournal.com .
TESTIMONIALS
"I think more of these classes/workshops should be available to inform more people who work with the public. I have been in this field for over 10 years and learned about AI tools that I didn't enough know about."
– Spring 2025 attendee
"The course gave me an overview of some of the most commonly used AI tools and forced (well, prompted) me to actually try them out in the first assignment."
– Spring 2025 attendee
"I appreciated getting to try the various chatbots in a hands-on way in both the live and asynchronous parts of the course. That really helped me learn more about what different bots had to offer in a concrete and memorable way!"
– Spring 2025 attendee
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March 4, 2026, 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
1 Hour Lightning Learning
Recommended for academic librarians.