AI in Our Library: Some Serious Reflections and a Few Curiosities

At Minnesota State University, Mankato, we’ve undertaken several experiments and initiatives focused on Generative AI. We provided several examples at the Generative AI in Libraries (GAIL) conference and Northern Ohio Technical Services Librarians (NOTSL) Fall General Meeting. This presentation provided a revised and expanded overview of our initiatives for the Creativity in Technical Services Interest Group (CITSIG). We briefly reviewed how we’ve tested Gen AI to improve data visualization for collections outreach. We provided an overview of limitations on how library-licensed resources can be used with AI, including a foray into retrieval augmented generative AI tools such as the Primo Research Assistant and Consensus, with implications for discovery. We highlighted the value of creative interactions with ChatBots as a means to explore new possibilities for library services and educators. Finally, we mentioned some new initiatives, mostly relating to data analysis or data services, in various states of progress.