Steely Library is launching an AI service model to support our campus community in navigating the challenges and opportunities of generative AI. In alignment with professional standards outlined in the ACRL AI Competencies for Library Workers, we have been proactive in growing our knowledge base, analyzing AI implications, and applying AI tools to best support library and campus needs. As a result, Steely Library aims to be the go-to resource for students' information and research needs related to AI literacy.  

When applied to generative AI, our GEAR framework for teaching information literacy provides a useful approach to ensure our students are gathering, evaluating, applying, and respecting tools and generated output. As an academic library, our expertise enables us to help our community:

• Understand how generative AI systems generate output 
• Choose the proper tool for their information need
• Critically evaluate generative AI tools and their output
• Effectively use AI tools for information gathering and research project management
• Ethically engage with generative AI tools 

New AI Literacy Resources

Guided by our vision, we are creating robust support services to help students navigate generative AI tools and usage. To kick off this work, Steely librarians have created two resources that are available this semester to support students when using generative AI tools during research.

• Generative AI: Use, Attribution, and Other Important Considerations is an interactive tutorial that describes when, how, and why to cite generative AI. A certificate of completion is generated at the end of the module that the learner may email or download as a pdf.  
• AI Literacy at Steely, is a research guide that highlights AI features available in Steely Library’s databases and recommends other AI research tools. It also complements the above tutorial with further guidance on citing and responsibly using generative AI output. 

Faculty may link directly to these resources in their courses. Additionally, the Generative AI tutorial is available in the Canvas Commons and can be embedded in any Canvas course. It is also part of CETI’s AI Literacy module. These resources can be found in the Canvas Commons by searching for the titles.  

Faculty Workshop

These resources, and more, will be discussed at an upcoming faculty workshop hosted by CETI. Librarians Ryan Spellman, Katy Tucker, and Andrea Brooks will present Steely Library and AI on February 4th at noon. During this online workshop, librarians will discuss AI features embedded in library databases and facilitate a conversation on how to best support students in using AI effectively and ethically in research.  

If you use our new resources this semester, we’d love to hear about it! Send any insights or questions about how Steely Library is addressing generative AI and research to Andrea Brooks, Head of Education and Outreach Services, at brooksa2@nku.edu.