The AI Innovation Lab: A Four-Month Practicum Event

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Registration for this event is limited to 30 seats.

We’ve read about AI, we’ve seen it in action, and we’ve used AI-based tools. But what about actually building things in AI? What about putting it to work now in our libraries?

This new and unique four-month practicum event will provide in-depth teaching, learning, and collaboration that will guide you toward integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into community-based library services. 

You'll gain the skills to harness AI for diverse applications, including storytelling for impact, website design, and creative engagement. The instructors will blend asynchronous learning with interactive online co-design sessions, creating a collaborative space where participants work in teams to conceive, design, and prototype AI-enhanced library services.

Through hands-on projects, you will move from theoretical knowledge to practical application, developing functional tools and research projects that can be directly implemented in your own library and practice. 

With ongoing mentorship from instructors and peer collaboration, this practicum will ensure a dynamic, real-world learning experience that fosters innovation in library services.

Learning Objectives:

Through your four months of work in this event, you will:

  • Understand AI and Libraries: Participants will learn about the applications of AI in enhancing library services, including a focus on building community and understanding ethics in order to consider best practices.
  • Design and Prototype: By working in groups, participants will leverage co-design techniques to create prototypes of AI-based services tailored for their local community and library.
  • Gain Familiarity with AI Tools: Gain insights into various generative AI platforms, including those for data analysis and text and image generation, and understand AI’s potential in support of equitable library services.

Course Features:

  • Asynchronous Learning: Engage with online material at your own pace, covering the fundamentals of AI and its relevance to libraries.
  • Online Co-Design Sessions: Collaborate in real-time during two online sessions designed to spark innovation and teamwork in the development of your AI project.
  • Group Projects: Embrace the power of group learning and support through projects that encourage peer-to-peer interaction and collaborative solution-finding.

Why Join?

This practicum is an invitation to take a deep dive into the world of AI to discover its transformative potential for community-based library services. It’s an opportunity to collaborate, innovate, and apply AI technologies to develop practical solutions for your specific library community. Whether you aim to enhance user experiences, optimize library operations, professional workflow, or create new services, this learning experience provides the tools, knowledge, and collaborative opportunity necessary to make a meaningful impact.

Embark on this journey to unlock the potential of AI and libraries and transform the way community-based library services are envisioned and delivered.

You can learn more about if this event is a good fit for you during our free informational session.

Pre-requisites 

In order to take full advantage of this practicum, we are asking participants to be able to answer yes to the following questions. Do you have:

  1. Familiarity with the use of text and image generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude Dall-E, MidJourney, or Davinci?
  2. Basic understanding of and experience with prompt engineering when using generative AI?
  3. Basic knowledge of concepts such as machine learning, large language models, and hallucinations?
  4. An interest in and openness to co-design practices such as iteration, experimentation, and ideation?
  5. An interest in working as a part of a team to co-design an AI project that you can develop and test with your library and community?
  6. On average approximately 2 to 3 hours per week to engage in practicum activities, including synchronous and asynchronous work? Some weeks may require more or less time.
  7. The ability to create logins for AI tools, or do you need institutional approval to access them? If approval is needed, are you able to seek it before the practicum begins?

About the Instructors

Linda W. Braun is the principal of The LEO group. Over the past 25 years she has worked with a variety of libraries and learning institutions to design and implement community-based services. Linda recognizes that each community is unique and works with clients on developing solutions and leveraging opportunities for their specific audience. Linda has a MEd from Lesley University and a MS in LS from Simmons University.

Juan Rubio is an expert in educational technology who designs learning experiences with a focus on participatory design within an equity framework. He has designed curricula for professionals in cultural institutions such as Tribeca Film Institute, New York Department of Education, Brooklyn Public Library, and Carnegie Hall. He has a Master’s degree in Media Studies from the New School University in New York City and studied film at Howard University School of Communications in Washington D.C. At present, he serves as the digital media and learning program manager at The Seattle Public Library.

If you have questions or requests regarding accessibility, contact us at ce@ala.org or at 312-280-5100.

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