Your Patrons Have Questions About AI

(and Now You Have Answers)

Course Details

Registration deadline October 23

3 Self-Paced Course Modules

12 Credit Hours

Recommended for public library workers.

$303 | Save with early bird and group rates.

AI questions are showing up at the desk, in programming conversations, and in everyday patron interactions. This course gives you the practical foundation to answer them clearly, responsibly, and without pretending you know more than you do.

Clearer ways to explain how current AI tools work and where they fall apart
Support for answering patron questions about safety, privacy, and usefulness
A baseline for programming and public-facing conversations about AI

YOU'RE GETTING AI QUESTIONS... AND YOU'RE NOT SURE YOU KNOW THE ANSWERS.

A patron asks if they should use ChatGPT for a resume or cover letter, and you hesitate because you don’t fully trust the answer you’d give.
A teen tells you AI can do their homework better than they can, and you’re not sure how to push back without sounding out of touch.
Your library wants to offer AI programming, and everyone is waiting for someone else to volunteer.

You’ll leave with a clear, useful foundation for answering real patron questions and talking about AI without sounding vague or alarmist.

CHOOSE FALL SESSION

Early bird rate is $256 through September 23, 2026. Standard rate is $303 through October 23, 2026.

Need flexibility? Once materials are released, you can start any time during your 6-month access period and move through the course at your own pace.

Invoice or PO options: Orders of $600 or greater can choose invoice at checkout. For orders under $600, please do not check out online. Submit this form, and we will process your order manually.

Need approval? Email this course to your supervisor.

TRAINING A TEAM?

When multiple staff take this course, your library can give the public more consistent, accurate answers about AI instead of everyone improvising on their own.

Multi-seat discounts are automatically calculated in the cart.

Buying for a larger group? Explore all purchasing options

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What You'll Learn Who This is For All the Details

AFTER COMPLETING THIS COURSE, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO:

Explain how today's AI tools actually work, including their limitations, biases, hallucinations, and privacy risks, in plain language your patrons can understand.
Talk confidently about AI with patrons across a wide range of backgrounds, comfort levels, and prior knowledge.
Design and facilitate basic AI literacy programming for your community.
Apply critical evaluation frameworks you already use for other information sources to assess AI tools.
Position your library as a credible, balanced, and community-centered resource in local conversations about AI.
Stay oriented in a fast-changing landscape by building a foundation of knowledge that holds up even as specific tools evolve.

You will leave with the confidence and practical tools to help your community navigate AI, whatever questions they walk in with next.

This course is especially helpful for:

Public library staff working directly with patrons
Reference and information services librarians answering questions in real time
Adult services, teen services, and programming staff
Managers and directors exploring AI programming or staff guidance
Anyone responsible for helping patrons navigate new technologies

If that sounds like your role, you will probably see yourself in this course.

If you are someone who:

Keeps getting AI questions and feels like the answers are a little too vague
Wants to give better guidance but doesn’t fully trust the information out there
Feels pressure to “do something with AI” at your library but isn’t sure where to start
Is unsure how to explain risks like bias, hallucinations, or privacy in a clear way
Wants to feel more confident handling whatever AI question comes next

This course was built for you.

AI isn’t a future topic anymore. It’s already showing up in patron questions, job searches, school assignments, and everyday tasks. Libraries are being pulled into the conversation whether they feel ready or not.

This course focuses on what you actually need in those moments. You’ll build a clear understanding of how today’s AI tools work, including where they break down, and how to explain all of that in a way that is accurate and useful. You’ll also learn how to respond to different types of patrons and start building AI literacy programming that fits your community.

SESSIONS AND PRICING

Early bird pricing ends one month before the session deadline. Course materials become available on the registration deadline date.

Rate + deadline	Fall Session
Early bird deadline	September 23, 2026
Early bird price	$256
Standard deadline	October 23, 2026
Standard price	$303
Materials unlock	October 23, 2026

GROUP OPTIONS

Training a team? Choose the setup that matches how you want to plan and pay:

Group course enrollment: Enroll 3+ staff in this course and save.

Bulk course credits: Prepay once, get the highest per-seat discount on every course, and assign seats later.

Unlimited annual licensing: System-wide access for a year with no per-course approvals.

Request Discounted Group Pricing

Questions? Email groupsales@libraryjournal.com.

COURSE FORMAT

This is a fully self-paced, asynchronous online course consisting of 3 modules. Each module includes video instruction, slides, readings, and reflective exercises designed to connect concepts directly to your daily work.

EXPECTED TIME COMMITMENT

Each module is designed to take approximately 4 hours to complete, for a total of 12 hours. You may move through the course at your own pace and on your own schedule.

COURSE ACCESS

You will have access to all course materials for six months from the material unlock date. You can start at any point during that window and move through the course at your own pace.

CREDIT & CERTIFICATE

Complete all modules to earn 12 professional development credit hours and a Library Journal certificate of completion, which will be emailed to you.

ACCESSIBILITY

All video recordings feature auto-captioning. If you require accommodations, please email course-support@libraryjournal.com upon registration and we will make our best efforts to support your needs.

SUPPORT

For technical or course-related support, please contact course-support@libraryjournal.com.

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