The following guidelines have been published by important professional organizations for librarians and information professionals. They provide guidance on the use of AI in libraries and insight into how library and information professionals are approaching and responding to the proliferation of AI.
Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)
AI Competencies for Academic Library Workers
This document explores AI literacy, tailoring it into a comprehensive, library-specific set of competencies applicable to academic library workers. It is meant to serve as a guiding framework for the creation of training programs and as a foundation for communities of librarians to develop their own AI competency frameworks. It is created to be adaptable to a variety of job functions and organizational contexts. It does not reference specific AI products or models.
Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education
This framework provides six core concepts for information literacy: Authority Is Constructed and Contextual, Information Creation as a Process, Information Has Value, Research as Inquiry, Scholarship as Conversation, and Searching as Strategic Exploration. The Framework for Information Literacy was recently updated due to emerging technologies, like AI, that are reshaping how we interact with information.
American Library Association (ALA)
Guidance on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Libraries
The purpose of this document is to provide ALA guidance for libraries developing or revising local artificial intelligence use policies, procedures, and vendor-review practices. This guidance identifies professional values and decision points for deciding when and whether to use AI systems, AI-enabled features, and vendor integrations.
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
Statement on Libraries and Artificial Intelligence
IFLA's statement sets out some key principles for the adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning systems in both everyday practices and the broader social mission of libraries. The rapid pace of AI development and adoption raises crucial questions about intellectual freedom, equity and privacy, automation, the evolution of necessary digital literacy skills, relevant Intellectual Property policy frameworks, and more. It aims to outline key considerations for the use of AI and ML technologies in the library sector, and suggest the roles which libraries should strive to take on in a society with growing AI integration.
Generative AI for library and information professionals
A compilation of resources seeking to provide a useful non-technical resource for library and information professionals with a focus on authoritative sources which are open to all.
Association of Research Libraries (ARL)
Research Libraries Guiding Principles for Artificial Intelligence
The increasing availability of AI models sparks many possibilities and raises several ethical, professional, and legal
considerations. These principles serve as a foundational framework for the ethical and transparent use of AI and reflect the values held by research libraries. ARL relies on these principles in its policy advocacy and engagement.