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Video ViewAttendees 63

Paper: Research Abstract

Innovation & Research Practice

In Person

On Demand

Session: Innovation & Research Practice Papers 1

Library Faculty and Staff Education Program Survey on Artificial Intelligence

Wednesday, May 17, 2023
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM EDT
Location: 250C
Objectives: To prepare for the increasing need of academic support in the artificial intelligence (AI) era. A research team at [institution name] libraries is developing an artificial intelligence (AI) educational training series for library faculty and staff. To maximize effectiveness and customize training materials, the team required first-hand information from potential participants.

Methods: The research team collected qualitative data from potential trainees that agreed to participate in a seven-question online survey, to gain insight into the AI information and training needs of library faculty and staff. Questions were aligned to assess AI comfort level; explaining AI concepts to others and identifying technologies and types of resources necessary to support AI education and research. Survey data was analyzed and used to tailor design of a training series. Then, to assess effectiveness of trainings a one-question post-training survey was conducted.

Results: Sixty-seven library employees participated in the survey. Most respondents (25.1%, 26 of 67) were extremely uncomfortable to neutral about explaining and identifying AI. Resource requests spanned topics such as: foundational training, basic terminology, and practical skills in building applications for library services. Survey responses guided creation of a three-part training series and research guide tailored to academic libraries. The inaugural sessions began Fall 2022 and ninety-seven attended. Post-course survey responses were positive, and learners expressed a desire for more advanced topics such as machine learning, natural language processing, and data visualization.

Conclusions: Assessing the needs of library faculty and staff identified a need for foundational AI training and resource materials. Based on learners’ feedback three new workshops will be added to the series in Spring 2023. Tailoring AI training to specific audience needs may improve effectiveness and willingness to engage in more advanced training. A tailored AI training approach may also be applicable to broader populations such as other types of libraries and non-STEM educators.