Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how organizations, including libraries, operate, communicate, and deliver value.
AI is here. We cannot turn back the clock and undo AI, but we can control how we engage with it. Libraries have always played an important role in supporting communities during technological changes. Perhaps some of you remember adopting, championing and learning and teaching about the internet in your libraries. This new pervasive technology may follow a similar process.
As AI continues to evolve, many leaders are asking the same question: How do we embrace AI responsibly while managing its risks?
At OLS, we believe the answer lies in thoughtful, intentional engagement—grounded in learning, collaboration, and transparency. (In honour of that transparency you should know, I did use AI to help me with a first draft of this blog post. AND I combined that draft with lots of human edits.)
As part of our ongoing learning opportunities around AI we have developed a sample Trillium Public Library AI Policy and Guide. This policy and guidebook are built on a strong foundation of research, professional development, and collaboration. We drew on emerging best practices, sector-specific insights, and legal guidance to ensure a balanced approach that reflects both the opportunity and responsibility of engaging with AI.
When considering your own AI policies it is important to keep the dynamic reality of AI at the forefront. AI is not static, meaning revisiting and adapting AI policy, procedure and infrastructure is an administrative reality. No single organization has all the answers, and we hope the Trillium Policy Sample and Guide will serve as a starting point for your internal AI Policy. As always, we encourage you to adapt the policy and its operationalization based on your library, environment and community service.
The OLS is approaching AI with a healthy measure of curiosity and skepticism. We look forward to continuing to learn alongside the public library sector, and to offer learning opportunities and support to public libraries in Ontario.
We are pleased to introduce the following AI resources:
- Trillium Sample Policy: OP-19 Artificial Intelligence
- AI Guide: to support your policy development and implementation
You can also check out the following:
- Introduction to Responsible AI Governance – Toronto Metropolitan University and the Dais – Recording on LearnHQ.
- Understanding Misinformation and Disinformation – Toronto Metropolitan University and the Dais – Recording on LearnHQ.
Written by:
Mellissa D’Onofrio-Jones, MLIS
CEO/Directrice Générale
Ontario Library Service
Service des bibliothèques Ontario