Reskilling for the AI Era: Adaptation Mechanisms and AI Literacy for Academic Library Staff at the Czech National Library of Technology

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the landscape of information services, compelling academic library staff to acquire new skills and adapt their practices. This poster presents preliminary findings from an exploratory study on how academic library staff at the National Library of Technology (NTK) in the Czech Republic are reskilling and adapting to the challenges presented by AI. As AI technologies become more prevalent in information services provision, this poster sheds light on the ways NTK academic library staff are navigating the multifaceted challenges and opportunities associated with integrating AI into their professional practices while understanding how our patrons use emerging tools and how this changes research practices more generally. The term “reskilling” describes the process of acquiring and developing new competencies that go beyond mere technical skills and aligns closely with the concept of AI literacy. AI literacy is framed through three core dimensions: comprehension of AI technologies, effective deployment in library settings, and ethical engagement with broader societal implications. Combining reskilling with AI literacy highlights the unique demands AI places on library staff and situates these evolving competencies within the broader context of information literacy. The objective of our research, in the form of qualitative semi-structured interviews, was to understand the reskilling needs and processes of our user support staff as they were adapting to the integration of AI technologies in our workflows. This poster describes specific adaptation mechanisms interviewees reported in overcoming challenges and leveraging opportunities presented by AI. A diverse sample of interviewees was ensured by interviewing staff with different genders, levels of experience, and lengths of service. This methodological approach gave us an in-depth probe of evolving individual experiences, motivations, barriers, and mechanisms of knowledge transfer that are pivotal in the reskilling process. This poster will inform discourse on AI literacy, reskilling initiatives, and changing information literacy landscape in libraries. By providing practical insights into the reskilling process, this poster will inform policies and programs that support library staff in effectively navigating the challenges posed by AI, ultimately ensuring that academic libraries remain vital centers of knowledge in an AI-driven landscape.