Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere. You might use facial recognition to unlock you phone, browse AI curated feeds on your social media accounts, or even ask Alexa to turn on the lights in your home. Library technology consultant Nick Tanzi will help Pennsylvania library workers make sense of it all — the sessions below offer an introduction to AI, the benefits and drawbacks, an understanding of how AI might be useful to libraries in the future, and how to prepare your staff and organization for this evolution. See below for more information, including registration links.
Artificial Intelligence in Libraries: A Primer
Tuesday, February 27, 10:00 – 11:00 AM
The rapid rise of ChatGPT, text-to-image generators, and other iterations of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked a range of reactions in libraries. These include fear, excitement, and a large dose of confusion! Our speaker will cover the basics of AI, before turning to specific (and popular) services, exploring their possibilities and pitfalls when used in a library setting.
Register here
Getting Your Library AI Ready
Tuesday, March 26, 10:00 – 11:00 AM
We’re told the age of AI is upon us, but what does that mean for our libraries? This session will help demystify artificial intelligence and explain how it will change the library landscape. Attendees will be offered specific actions they can take to proactively adapt services and programming that address the new technological environment.
Register here
About Nick:
Nick Tanzi is the Assistant Director of the South Huntington Public Library. He is a nationally recognized library technology consultant and the author of the books Making the Most of Digital Collections Through Training and Outreach (2016) and the coauthor of the Best Technologies for Public Libraries: Policies, Programs, and Services (2020). Nick is a past column editor for Public Library Magazine’s “The Wired Library,” and his work on the intersection of libraries and technology has been featured in publications including Computers in Libraries, Library Journal, and Marketing Library Services.
If you have any questions on these offerings or suggestions for future professional development programming, please contact Professional Development Advisor Julie Moore.
These programs are made possible by Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Commonwealth Libraries. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services or the Department of Education.